Chapter 16
Lucifer stood looking tall and proud with his mate on his arm just before he proclaimed Ash and Gabriella as man and wife.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the Lord of Purgatory shouted, and Ash was more than happy to oblige.
He lifted the gauzy veil that covered his mate’s beautiful face, revealing her perfect pink smile and cornflower blue eyes as she gazed up at him with love shining in their depths. Ash’s hands shook as he held the sheer fabric carefully, though knowing Arachne’s skill it was hardly breakable.
“Well, kiss her already!” someone shouted and Gabby giggled briefly before he closed his lips over hers, giving the finger to whoever had dared rush him.
The Underworld erupted into a round of thunderous applause as Ash claimed his new wife’s lips.
Eve and Aphrodite cheered louder than most, perhaps cause of their nearness serving as maids of honor to his cherished bride.
He could almost hear them now, touting their marriage as all due to their Wednesday night speed dating scheme.
Who knew?
Maybe it was.
“I love you,” Gabriella said, ending their kiss and nuzzling his cheek with hers.
“I love you too, sweet.”
“Are we going to just stand here, or are we going to party?” Lucifer shouted to the throng.
The resounding cheers of those gathered agreed. Almost everyone was there, save for a few legions he’d ordered to patrol the borders. After those few rogues had followed Gabby home, the Daemonium Guard had been on the mission to hunt down the leaders of the soulless uprising.
Many had been captured and sentenced to dust by Lucifer himself. The safety of Purgatory was paramount to Ash, especially now that he was mated, married, and expecting. He’d learned that most things were a work in progress, but he would never gamble with the future of his mate and family.
“I suppose we better join the reception,” Ash said mournfully.
The idea was not exactly unpleasant. It was just, well, he would much rather take his mate back to their house.
Alone.
“I guess so,” Gabriella replied with a playful sigh.
“You look beautiful,” he murmured, kissing her cheek. “I am dying to peel this dress off of you.”
“Mmm, well, don’t worry, my love, soon,” Gabby said, squeezing his hand as they walked to the enormous tent erected in the center of town for their celebration.
“Happy?” Ash asked, giving voice to his only real concern. He wanted her happy that she’d chosen him. Hell, he would do anything to ensure it.
“When we get home, I have every intention of showing you just how happy I am,” his sweet mate replied.
Then, naughty little minx that she was, she tugged on his arm and whispered in his ear. Ash sucked in a breath while she told him all the delightfully dirty and lusty things she intended to do.
Holy hell.
She certainly was inventive!
Ash could not contain his growl. Thank fuck his trousers seemed to magically lend room where he suddenly needed it most.
“I thought I was marrying a staid little Sunday school teacher,” he said to her robust laughter. “More like a minx!”
“You bring it out in me, my love,” she replied with a sexy wink that made his cock grow even harder and his mouth water.
“Later,” he growled, tucking her close to his side. “You promise?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Me either.”
If Ash had any doubts that his schoolteacher Werewolf would be happy with a Demon in the Underworld, Gabriella laid all his fears to rest that night.
And as they slept together in a tangle of arms and legs, Ash’s hand rested over the slight swell of her stomach where his babe grew peacefully, and he felt their matebond wrap around them in a protective cocoon of love and happiness. One he never wanted to leave.
Mate.
His inner Demon growled, and Ash sighed happily. Yes, he had found his mate, and he was going to hold on to her for eternity.
The end.
Thanks for reading!