Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
From his vantage point on the small podium in the tent, Oliver looked down the aisle. He couldn’t see Ursula, but he knew she was standing at the French doors to the living room, ready to walk along the covered walkway into the tent. He’d made sure that nothing else would happen now. Zane and Cain had volunteered to remain in the living room with her and her father until they were safely inside the tent. And once they were married, Oliver would blood-bond her as soon as possible. Only then would she truly be safe. Because only then would they be able to communicate telepathically with each other. And Oliver would always immediately sense when she was in danger.
He tried to relax and watched as Isabelle walked down the middle of the aisle, carrying the little pillow with the rings in her hands. Delilah coached her from the sidelines, making sure she didn’t stop midway, but walked all the way to the front.
When he got his first glimpse of Ursula walking on her father’s arm, coming closer with each step, he held his breath. During the fight and the few moments afterwards, he hadn’t had a chance to admire her and take in how truly beautiful she looked. He’d never thought that she could look more glorious in a red wedding dress than any other woman in a white one. As graceful as a princess, she walked toward him, her eyes focused on him. All fear and panic was wiped from her face.
His heart started to thunder and he feared that everybody in the tent could hear how wildly it beat. Because it beat for her. And because of her.
When Ursula and her father finally stopped at the podium, he exchanged a brief look with Yao Bang. A contented smile played around the older man’s lips. Even though Oliver didn’t know his father-in-law very well, he grew fonder of him by the minute. To be accepted by Ursula’s father so wholeheartedly warmed his heart. His gaze drifted over the guests. Quinn sat near the podium. His sire looked at him as proudly as any father would, and behind him, Samson beamed with a happy smile. He’d been the first to see potential in him and had offered him a chance for a new life. Without Samson and Quinn he wouldn’t be here today.
He tore his look from them and smiled at Ursula. Their gazes fused.
Oliver barely heard the words of the minister as he spoke an introductory prayer and Yao Bang answered him when asked who was giving this woman to this man. Then he took his seat next to his wife.
Seconds turned into minutes as they exchanged traditional vows. The only thing they had changed was the ending. They’d replaced “till death do us part” with more suitable words.
“ . . . for eternity,” Oliver now said and felt tears rise into his eyes when he saw the wet sheen covering Ursula’s irises.
“The rings,” the minister prompted and looked at Blake.
His best man crouched down to Isabelle and nodded at her, giving her a sign that it was her turn, and the toddler staggered toward the minister, holding the pillow with the rings in front of her. She glanced sideways as if to seek approval from her mother, when she tripped and fell forward. But the little hybrid’s reflexes were as sharp as those of a vampire, and she braced her fall with her hands before her knees could hit the floorboards, though she dropped the pillow in the process.
A collective gasp raced through the guests, but Isabelle lifted her head with a wide smile, looking almost apologetic. Two tiny fangs flashed from her open mouth.
Oliver had never seen anything more adorable. He and Ursula had never spoken about children, but he knew that eventually they would have some. Once they were both ready.
It appeared the minister had seen Isabelle’s fangs, because his forehead pulled together and he leaned toward the toddler.
“Isabelle!” Blake chastised under his breath, and she seemed to understand him and quickly pressed her lips together again. She reached for the pillow that had fallen from her hands, and with Blake’s help, she was back on her feet within seconds. “That a girl,” Blake praised, winking at Oliver.
Oliver suppressed a chuckle.
The minister took the rings and blessed them before handing one to Ursula and one to him.
When Ursula repeated the minister’s words, Oliver’s heart expanded, filling with love and pride, with joy and happiness.
“With this ring, I thee wed.” Ursula slid the ring onto his finger.
Oliver didn’t wait for the minister to prompt him, impatient for Ursula to be his wife. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Nor did he wait for the minister to tell him that he could kiss the bride. He simply pulled Ursula into his arms and kissed her.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.” He heard the minister’s words somewhere in the distance.
“I love you,” he whispered against his bride’s lips only for her to hear, though he knew that the vampires in the tent would be able to pick up his words. And maybe even the humans, for it was a feeling he couldn’t hide from anybody. Nor did he intend to.