Chapter 81 Rhyland
Rhyland
Watching my makeshift family celebrate makes my chest tighten with fierce pride, even if Lucian can't keep his mouth shut for five fucking minutes.
This is the first Christmas in forever that's meant a damn thing to me.
Seeing my mate's face light up like that—yeah, that's a memory I'm keeping forever.
"Hold the fucking phone and rewind!" Lucian dramatically interrupts. "Are we just going to ignore the fact that Thunder Struck over here hasn't given his Christmas present yet? Come on, Rhy-Rhy, don't be a holiday cheapskate. Did you at least get her a gift card to ?"
Everyone's eyes swing to us like it's feeding time at the zoo. Dani's grin threatens to split her face in half as she looks up at me, that spark of mischief in her caramel eyes making my heart beat faster.
"Show them, baby," I rumble, my hand sliding possessively around her waist.
Dani sits up straight, practically vibrating with excitement as she extends her left hand.
"Oh, you mean this little thing?" she says with mock innocence, wiggling her fingers so the 4-carat diamond throws sparkles across the room.
"Turns out Rhyland finally decided to make an honest woman out of me. "
The custom-designed platinum band hugs her delicate finger perfectly, just like she fits perfectly against me.
Seraphina gasps, her hands flying to cover her mouth, golden eyes wide with angelic wonder. "Oh, Dani..."
"And before you ask, Lucian—yes, I'm fully aware I'm marrying a grumpy, possessive, ancient-as-dirt vampire. But he's my grumpy, possessive, ancient-as-dirt vampire."
Lucian throws his hands up dramatically.
"You just had to go and beat everyone in the gift-giving department, didn't you?
What happened to the brotherhood pact of 'reasonably priced presents so nobody looks bad'?
Now my snow globe to Phina looks like toilet paper compared to your whole 'let's get hitched' extravaganza.
Thanks for raising the bar to the stratosphere, asshole. "
The girls swarm Dani like a pack of excited wolves, cooing over the ring and practically tackling her with hugs. I reluctantly let her go, watching with smug satisfaction as she shows off my claim on her.
"About damn time, you old fart," Emily snarks, elbowing me in the ribs before turning back to Dani.
"And just so we're crystal clear, I've been this girl's Maid of Honor since we pinky-swore over wine coolers in high school.
Though I gotta say, I pictured the groom with less brooding and more pulse. "
I can't help the satisfied smirk spreading across my face as I watch them fuss over my mate. Yeah, I definitely won Christmas this year.
While everyone's cleaning up the massacre of wrapping paper, Emily clears her throat.
"Hold up. Got one more gift to deliver," she announces, turning to Bryn with an uncharacteristically nervous smile. "If Her Royal Valkyrie-ness will permit it?"
Sable's knowing grin catches my attention, but Dani just looks confused as she presses closer to my side.
Bryn's shoulders tense as she takes a half-step back. "For me?" Her voice carries an edge of wariness. "I have nothing to—"
"Oh, hush." Emily waves her hand dismissively. "Trust me, watching this unfold will be my gift. Now, will you let me?"
Bryn's gaze darts to Dani, who merely shrugs, looking equally mystified. After a long moment, Bryn gives a sharp nod.
"Perfect. Plant that warrior ass right here by the tree." Emily pats the floor with exaggerated patience.
Bryn lowers herself, folding her legs beneath her. The rest of us exchange confused glances as Emily kneels behind her, positioning her hands just above Bryn's shoulder blades.
"Just relax," Emily instructs, her usual playful tone replaced with something more focused. "And try not to stab me if this feels weird. I'm going to try to give you back your wings."
Bryn twists around, alarm flashing across her face. "Wait, what?"
"Shh." Emily flicks her wrist dismissively. "Less talking, more sitting still. This spell is tricky enough without you going all warrior-fidgety on me. Trust the process, Valkyrie."
The air grows thick with anticipation. Emily begins a low chant in Latin, her voice taking on an otherworldly resonance.
Every candle in the room springs to life simultaneously, flames dancing in an unfelt wind.
The taste of magic fills the air—sharp and electric, like the moment before lightning strikes.
"Quod amissum est, nunc restituo. Pennas perditas revoco. Sanguine caelesti, potentia terrae, redde quod ablatum est. Surge iterum, filia aeris."
Dani leans forward, perched on the edge of the couch like she can't wait to see if this can actually work. Beside her, Sable's grin threatens to split her face. Erik remains motionless, but his stormy eyes track every movement Emily makes, muscles coiled tight with protective instinct.
The chant rises in volume and intensity as Bryn's features contort, a mask of agony twisting her warrior's visage. Every eye in the room is locked on the unfolding scene, the raw power emanating from Emily's hands commanding complete attention.
"Redde quod periit," Emily intones, her voice echoing with ancient authority. "Restitue quod ablatum est!"
Fucking wings explode from Bryn's back without warning, unfurling to their full glory in a symphony of ripping fabric.
But these aren't just any wings—the left one spans out in midnight black, pure Valkyrie power—to match the icy blue of her eye, while the right gleams with angelic white reminiscent of Seraphina's celestial wings—matching her gold eye.
"Holy shit," I mutter, the dichotomy striking me instantly. The contrast is jarring yet perfect—two halves of her heritage manifested physically.
The collective gasp that tears through the room is almost as powerful as the magic itself. Dani's mouth hangs open, her eyes wide with wonder. Erik stands frozen, grey eyes reflecting a thousand emotions simultaneously as he stares at his mate's transformation.
Bryn staggers to her feet, wobbling slightly as she adjusts to the new weight and balance. She steadies herself against the tree, unaware of what we're all staring at. The wings curl forward instinctively, bringing their tips into her line of sight.
Her mismatched eyes widen as she catches sight of the contrasting colors.
One hand reaches toward the midnight feathers while the other hovers over the pristine white, trembling visibly.
Watching Bryn, this badass warrior—who I've seen cleave enemies in half without flinching—is suddenly undone by this gift.
It hits me in a place I didn't know existed.
"By the All Father," she whispers, voice cracking. A single tear slides down her cheek, followed by another, then a flood. "They're... perfect."
Emily sits back on her heels, looking immensely pleased with herself despite the exhaustion evident in her face.
"Well, the grimoire did say to expect the unexpected when returning what was lost." She flashes a self-satisfied smirk.
"I mean, the spell promised restoration, not replication.
But holy shit, Bryn—this is like, next-level badass. You're literally walking duality now."
I catch Dani's eyes widening with recognition, that mischievous spark lighting up her face.
"Wait—is this that spell we talked about at Ray's—the cooch—"
"Yes!" Sable cuts her off with suspicious enthusiasm, tossing Dani a conspiratorial wink. "That exact one."
My woman's smile turns downright wicked. That look never means anything good for my sanity.
"What the hell are you two talking about?" I ask, eyes narrowing as I look between them. The last thing I need is more magical surprises, especially when Dani's got that dangerous gleam in her eyes.
Without warning, Bryn lunges forward, tackling Emily in an embrace that sends them both sprawling across the floor. The massive wings curl protectively around them, creating a black-and-white canopy.
"Thank you," Bryn sobs against Emily's shoulder, all warrior stoicism abandoned. Her fingers dig into Emily's sweater like she's afraid this might all disappear. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Her breakdown cracks something open in the room. Dani's wiping tears from her cheeks. I've witnessed civilizations rise and fall, but watching someone regain a piece of themselves they thought lost forever—that's power that even immortals recognize.
Watching Bryn's transformation, I can't help but feel a surge of satisfaction.
The warrior who lost everything protecting my mate now stands restored—though in true cosmic fashion, the universe had its own ideas about the restoration.
The duality of those wings suits her, matching those mismatched eyes that have seen both darkness and light.
Dani launches herself at her sister, colliding with enough force that Bryn's new wings flare out to maintain balance.
The sight of my fierce mate wrapped in those contrasting wings, babbling about family and belonging, stirs something even in my jaded heart.
Erik—that stone-faced bastard who's stood unmoved through centuries of warfare—looks like he's about to crack. His silver eyes shine suspiciously bright as he watches his mate whole again, restored but transformed. Never thought I'd see the day Erik might actually shed a tear.
Leave it to Lucian to shatter the fucking moment.
"Well damn," he drawls. "Talk about a heavenly makeover. You're like a walking yin-yang of badassery now. The ultimate warrior-angel hybrid. Should we start calling you Dark-Light Barbie?"
I shoot him a look that promises violence. "Shut the fuck up, Lucian."
But Bryn's laughing through her tears, and even Erik cracks a smile. Trust my asshole brother to diffuse an emotional moment with stupid logic. Though I suppose that's why we keep him around.