Chapter Fifty-Three #2
Hecate closed her eyes. “Ich ta hel for shim. Epar tin clavic shorn.” I recognized the spell; it was a healing spell.
The blood that surrounded Rowan pulled back into his body.
I watched as the shirt that had been soaked in blood was clean once more, and the slices on his chest sealing as the magic took hold.
I leaned over his face, waiting. Hoping.
“Please. Come back to me.”
Hades shifted. “Lynn Wetherstone, this is your last chance to change your mind.”
Lynn just kissed my cheek and then Rowan’s. “Take me in trade for their peace…for their love. Take our souls in payment for my King.” I wanted to turn to thank her one last time, but my eyesight had tunneled down to Rowan’s face.
Hades called out again. “Rowan Lukos, come to me.” Lynn’s body dropped next to us, and I held my breath. I felt the tether in my chest grow stronger, like threads reattaching, and I held my breath. “A soul for a soul. A life for a life.”
A giant bolt of lightning slammed into me, and I screamed. No, this couldn’t be happening. I felt the power start to cook my insides, and I slammed my lips into Rowan’s. If I was going to die now by fucking lightning, then I was going to kiss my mate goodbye.
I screamed against his lips.
And right before the power overwhelmed me…Rowan opened his eyes.
“You look beautiful.” My mom’s voice was still hesitant as she braided my hair.
I smiled. “Thank you.” I blew out a breath. “Mom…” I started but my voice trailed off.
“I’m sorry.” She spun my chair. I opened my eyes to see that she was already crying. “I am so sorry, baby.” She looked down at her hands. “You were right yesterday.”
“What?” The exhaustion still ate at my concentration. My mother looked up, and a tear fell. “What are you talking about?”
She sighed as she grabbed my hand. “You were right.” She tightened her grip, almost as if she was afraid I would pull away.
“When you said that, I knew. Your father had told me everything he was doing. Hell, half of the decisions we made together. And I am so sorry.” She looked up, trying to stop the tears.
“I’m not trying to ruin my makeup. It’s perfect.
” She shook her head before she turned back to me.
“We should have been honest with you. We should have come clean when we started to suspect that Rowan was your mate.”
“We should have.” My father’s voice called from the door.
And he walked in hesitantly. He was looking everywhere but at me.
So I knew he still felt guilty. “I had spent so many years doing things alone, or with Rowan, that it never even crossed my mind until it was too late.” He swallowed.
“I just wanted to catch everyone involved and give Rowan the answers he deserved. I had spent so many years trying to figure out his father’s killers that I disregarded your happiness.
Because I figured you would have centuries with your mate, and your early twenties wouldn’t matter.
” He finally looked at me, and his mouth dropped open.
His eyes became glossy as he stepped forward. “Wow.”
My mother smiled. “I know.”
“What?” I looked between my parents.
“You are gorgeous.” My dad walked up to my chair. “You are the best part of me, ladybug. I’m sorry I picked vengeance over being your dad.”
I felt my eyes burn. But my mother fanned my face. “You are perfect. Don’t ruin your makeup.” She turned to my father. “Stop it.” She hissed, and he chuckled.
He grabbed my hand. “Can you forgive us, pup?”
I bit my lip, and my mom made a weird sound in her throat, making me laugh.
“I was…am, really hurt.” I looked at them both.
“You disregarded my happiness and pulled strings to get us to do what you wanted regardless of what would happen.” My dad’s shoulders fell, and both of them turned away.
“But…” I lowered my eyes to my hands. “I was horrible to you both yesterday. I’m sorry.
” I blew out a breath as I twisted my fingers.
“I had just lost everything, and you were easy targets for my rage.” I looked up, and I felt a tear fall.
My mom hissed as she turned for a tissue. “I’m sorry.”
My father took my hand and kissed my hair. “You never have to apologize to us for the mistakes we made.”
My mom dabbed at my face. “We swear we will never do it again.” She kissed my cheek. “Let me touch you up.”
“Are we all ready in here?” Toya called from the doorway. “Oh, Amy.” She sighed as I stood. “You look gorgeous.”
I smiled at my mother, blended something over my cheek, and my dad handed me a flower. “Daddy?”
“Your grandmother walked down the aisle holding an orchid. So did your mother when we mated. It stands for a new phase in life, which for tonight, seems perfect.” I smiled as I nodded.
“It is.” I turned to Toya. “We’re ready.”
“Good.” She pushed the door open, and Hanna, Wendy, and Micca all ran in wearing the same cloak. Toya smiled as she turned. “Your dad came in clutch.”
I looked around. “How?” I was pulled into hugs.
“You created pathways between packs. What do you mean, how?” Wendy laughed. “I absconded them from Oakenfang.” She blushed.
Everyone froze. “You’re blushing.” I pointed out. But she waved me off.
“We can talk about it later. Tonight is for you.” She grabbed my hands and pulled me to the stairs. “Get in order.” Wendy called out, and I was surprised to taste the command on my tongue.
Toya looked back at me, and I smiled. “She has a secret.” Toya nodded.
“Yes…she does.” We made a silent agreement to figure it out tomorrow.
Micca got in front, followed by Hanna, Wendy, and then Toya. My mother kissed me once more and then stood in front of me and my father. He offered his arm. “Are you ready, Bug?” I nodded once, and somewhere off in the distance, music came to life, and we started down the stairs.
We trailed out the front door, and down the pathway to the backyard. Our bare feet barely made a sound as we walked through the grass. With every step, I felt a little jolt of power from the Earth. I tried to send a pulse of power back, but it bounced back.
Gaia’s voice slipped into my mind. A small gift for you on your blessed day. May your life be full of love, little one. She pulled away, and I felt the loss.
We turned at the corner of the house, and my breath caught. The backyard had been transformed. Chairs were arranged in a semicircle with an aisle in the middle. “It looks like a human wedding.” I whispered to my dad.
She chuckled. “Your mother said you spent years watching human movies growing up. She said you wanted a wedding when you were eight. So we made the ceremony into one for you.” He turned to look at me. “Do you like it?”
I looked up at my father, and I nodded. “Thank you, Daddy.”
He took a deep breath, and I watched a tear fall. He shook his head and used his robe to wipe it away. “I was terrified I wasn’t ever going to hear you call me that again, Bug.” His lips trembled. “I hope you never understand my panic from yesterday.”
We started down the aisle, and everyone stood.
Familiar faces stood out. Jorah and Sterling were here, as was Luke.
Alannah held one twin while Greyson held the other.
He looked heartbroken but tried to fake a smile for me.
I had to turn away. Carly was bouncing next to Abby in the front row, bright brown eyes staring back at me.
I gripped my dad’s arm as I stared at everyone here, and couldn’t stop the whine that slipped from my lips. He turned to me again, slowing our steps. “What’s wrong?”
“Everyone is here…everyone but-” I shook my head. As we took the next step, my head turned to meet familiar eyes, and I nearly dropped.
Lynn was next to her. A serene smile on her face. She gave me a thumbs-up, and I choked on a laugh mixed with a sob.
Cass was staring back at me. Greyson’s whine has her eyes drifting to his, but she just held her finger to her lips. Then she mouthed ‘I love you’ to him, and he dropped his head.
Next to them was Ternen. Alannah let out a sob, and I watched Greyson grab her hand. Ternen and Cass smiled at each other before they turned back to me, silently watching together as their mates supported each other.
Carl smiled as he wrapped his arm around my grandmother’s shoulder. She cried as she leaned on him. They seemed to have struck a friendship since Carl had died, and for that I was thankful.
Carly bounced as she turned and saw her dad. She waved. “Hi Daddy.” Carl’s lips trembled as he shushed her. But then he waved and winked at her before pointing back at me.
They were all here.
Everyone I had lost. The ones I failed to protect.
The ones who gave their lives willingly for you to end up here. Silly girl. My grandmother’s words were a soft admonishment. Don’t take their sacrifice and tarnish it. You know better.
I nodded as my glistening eyes landed on friends again. Cass and Lynn were both crying now. Before I turned away, I met their eyes. “I miss you.” They just smiled at me before all of them nodded towards the front.
I turned, and my father had to hold me up.
His soft chuckle and his arms were the only reasons I could take the next step.
Rowan was staring at me with so much love in his eyes I couldn’t breathe for a moment.
Tears traced his cheeks, but he stood unbothered and unashamed as he watched me with a smile on his face.
Finally, my father pulled me to the front where Rowan was waiting. “Take care of my girl.” My father held out his hand.
Rowan slid his hand into my father’s, but his eyes never left mine. “Always.”
He pulled me up onto the small stage, pulling me to his side and wrapping his arm around me. Then we turned to face the crowd. My father took the place of the priestess and stayed down where I had just been. He looked up at us and started the ceremony.
“I call the Goddess in all her glory-” My father started, but I was lost in Rowan’s eyes. Erubus kept flashing in his eyes, and I couldn’t look away.
“Love…you have to say your part.” Rowan nudged me, and I jolted.
“I do.” I earned a few chuckles as my father continued.
Rowan smiled widened as he said his. “I do.”
My father clapped. “Under the moon, and under the watchful gaze of all the gods.” I turned to him because usually it’s just the Moon Goddess, but there they were, all lined up against the house, staying unseen but watching my mating ceremony.
“With the power I hold from the Goddess, I pronounce your bond eternal.” I felt a shock go through me, and Rowan trembled as the bond was finally sealed.
Rowan leaned down with a smile. He kissed my lips and then whispered in my ear. “You can’t run anymore, Rabbit. I finally caught you.”