Chapter 58
ARIANNA - THREE MONTHS LATER
“Raise those glasses bitches, I have a ‘tini speech for the bride to be,” Mekhi blows a kiss toward me. I reach out, snatch it out of the air, and place it on my heart; he grins.
Gaelan and I are still living full-time at May-Lou; it’s been so lovely just being us.
I’m not ready for that to end yet. He shimmers to his castle or topside when he needs to, I do the same between Westrey and here. It’s working out well. Mekhi and Lucy hate it. I have promised them that we will be moving back soon, and they will both wish we had stayed away.
Tomorrow is my coronation as Lady of Illis, and the day after will be our wedding. Mekhi wanted to throw me a bachelorette party, and I agreed.
We have been at the club for most of the evening, and it’s just a small crowd. Lucy is here with Justin, which surprised me. The last time I saw her, she had broken up with him. I look over at her, and sorrow is etched in her smile and eyes.
Eden and Kat are also here; it looks like they’ve become good friends.
Manny is here as well; he still has no idea how much Kat fancies him.
I thought of casting a little spell to give them a push, but then I remembered something my Aunt May would always say.
“Love knows its own path; if you block it, it shall find another way.” This I understand now more than anything.
When I think about what Gaelan and I had to go through, it’s overwhelming.
Love found its way, no matter what, with us.
Mekhi clears his throat, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“First, I want to say, Hitch, thank you for blessing me with the head bridesman title. You know I’m ready to smash it for my baby girl.
” He says all sassy. “We have been best friends for as long as I can remember. You, Hitch, are the family I never had, my soul sister, the one person who will hide a dead body with me.” He winks at me, making me laugh as happy tears roll down my cheeks.
“What I’m trying to say is, I’m so happy you are marrying the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.
Apart from me,” he teases with a pout. “He’s a good guy, and I can’t wait for your future to begin.
I love you, Hitch,” he raises his glass, tilts it toward me, and bows his head a little.
Everyone else shouts, cheers, and drinks the ‘tini that Mekhi has made for us all.
“Thank you,” I stand and raise my glass in thanks, looking around at each of them. So much in my life has changed, but it makes me happy that I still have some of my previous life left, the life before I became the Book Reader.
I walk over to the bar to pour myself another drink.
“You’re marrying a man I’ve not met,” I hear Lucy say behind me. I turn to her and offer a small smile.
“I know, and I’m so pissed about that, but” I reach out for her and pull her to my side and link arms. “You will see him in a couple of days, and I know you are going to love him.” Happiness is clear in my voice.
I can’t wait for her to meet him. I know they will get on so well.
It’s always been bad timing, them not getting to see each other, plus Gaelan has been wanting to keep me to himself for a long time.
I squeeze her arm and nod toward Justin. “You gave him another chance?” I question her.
She shrugs, “he’s nice, I just need to give it some time.” Her voice is sad.
“Just remember, if it doesn’t feel right, then you don’t have to be with him; being happy alone is better than being with a man who isn’t right.”
“I know, maybe you are right, he is a little too nice,” she sighs.
I wrap my arm around her and hug her tight.
“The one will come around when he is meant to,” I say.
Lucy has been keeping to herself a lot over the last few months; I know I haven't been around much.
Once Gaelan and I are married and we move back, it will be better.
We can start hanging out like we used to
Mekhi comes over and stands in front of us both.
“What’s this?” he starts picking imaginary stuff out of the air in front of our faces. “Some kind of bad juju,” he pouts, “why are you looking like someone stole your favorite pair of shoes?” He questions with a raised eyebrow. I laugh, and Lucy giggles.
“No, we don’t,” Luce protests.
“Just talking, Mekhi,” I add.
“Fine, I know it’s about a man; no other being can make us sexy beasts scowl like this.” He waves his hand again, then sits on the barstool next to us. “When are you leaving us again, Hitch?” He asks me to reach out and take my hand.
“Right after we finish here, I need to get ready for my coronation,” pride thick in my voice.
“Do you get to wear a crown?” Lucy asks me curiously.
“Oh, can I have it after Hitch? I would look banging in one,” he grins
I laugh at them both and shake my head. “No crown, I do have a little headband to wear and some official robes.” A sad smile touches my lips for a second before I push that feeling back.
I asked Gaelan if they could come to the ceremony.
Still, it’s not allowed, and it’s also not very safe.
Two humans in the dream realm could bring unwanted attention.
Both Gaelan and I would rather not have to kill anyone on one of our special days.
“Will you take photos so we can see you?” Lucy says, sounding hopeful, 'I wrap one arm around her waist and then another around Mekhi, and hug them both to me.'
“I will, no laughing though, the robes are a little over the top”
“Moreover, the top than my iridescent pink leopard print jumpsuit?” Mekhi says with humor, and both Lucy and I burst out laughing.
“Nothing can match that,” she says
“Agreed, that is a league of its own,” I join in.
Mekhi puts down his drink. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on either of you,” he winks, then holds his hands out to us both. “Now let’s dance until our legs feel like they are going to drop off and we show all these people what sexy really looks like.”
Lucy kisses his cheek, then makes her way over to Justin. She pulls his hands, leading him to the dance floor, and they start to dance.
Mekhi wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Hitch.”
I look up at him and smile. “I love you more.”
“Now don’t go forgetting about me, with that dream man of yours,” he pouts.
I kiss his cheek. “Never, I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Mekhi kisses me, then leads me to the dance floor, and we start to dance as he says, the night away.