Chapter 9 Damon
Damon
There was something perfect about getting to share her as our wife, now. I could tell it pleased our mate very much that we all had a full claim to her—and she, us. For the first time in years, my soul was happy. It beamed with how excited it was for the years to come.
For the first time ever, I did not fear the end. I feared nothing but a life without her.
I moved to where she danced between the charm mage and the wolf. “If I may steal our mate away for a few moments…”
The wolf looked up first, and for a moment, it appeared he was battling his basic instincts to say no. Of course, with her claim now fresh upon him, his wolf might be a little more possessive than normal. Which I would understand if we weren’t bond mates.
Eventually, though, he kissed her forehead. “You think you got another one in you?”
Ivy looked at me with tired, happy eyes and smiled.
I would never get used to that look. Like she was still happy I was here.
That she enjoyed my presence as much as I loved hers.
Perhaps it was something I’d never get used to, especially because there were times where I thought this life was a dream.
One I didn’t want to escape, but a dream, nonetheless.
Our mate sighed, taking her hand away from the wolf to give to me. “Maybe one more,” she said as I pulled her into my embrace. “But my feet kill.”
“Nothing shadows can’t help you with,” I murmured, summoning the darkness to lift her so she floated.
A smile curved my lips at her groan, the sound far too tempting. “Oh, Goddess, thank you.”
Behind her, the charm mage snorted. “Show off.”
Ivy laughed as she looked over her shoulder. “See if maybe you can convince Maisie to go to bed?”
The mage looked towards the scheming child.
She had Greer’s mates wrapped around her little finger, my own cousin included.
Onyx was more a distant nephew, but it was more common to refer to blood family—even that far removed—as cousin.
At least, it was for me since I had no direct family anymore.
My siblings, parents, real cousins were all dead and had passed on years ago.
“We’ll see what we can do,” the wolf replied. “Then maybe we should get you to bed.”
Ivy shook her head, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I think I’ll be good a little longer. We have too many guests.”
“They won’t mind,” I murmured, nuzzling my nose against hers. “But I will not pass up dancing with you. Since we did not get the chance at our own wedding.”
Both the wolf and the charm mage disappeared, heading for the little girl who most definitely wouldn’t go down easily.
The others remained at the table where we’d eaten dinner—a place where a lot of time was spent outdoors.
Our mate was fond of the courtyard, and with it decorated with shimmering lights and flowers, it was easy to see why.
“Can I tell you the truth?” Ivy asked quietly.
I looked down at my mate, taking in the soft, rosy flush of her cheeks, feeling the heavy swell of her stomach against my own—and the shifting twins within. One kicked at her, which I felt gently. It was still such an amazing feeling. Another thing I would never get used to.
“Of course, wife,” I murmured, using the shadows to twirl us across the makeshift dance floor. “Anything.”
Her eyes found mine, sparkling under the twinkling lights. “I like this wedding more.”
My heart warmed as I chuckled. “I suppose it being more intimate is much nicer.”
“There’s that,” she hummed, leaning her forehead on my chest. “But I like marrying you knowing the real you.”
Again, my chest warmed, heating impossibly with how…happy I was. There was no other way to describe the feeling. “I love you,” I murmured, pressing my lips to the top of her head. “You’ve no idea how much.”
“I do,” she breathed, her voice muffled by my shirt. “I feel it now, through our bond.”
I hadn’t realised how attuned I was to her, but as her words settled between us, her end of the bond fully opened to me, and I felt it all. Her love, her commitment, her comfort. Everything she experienced came through, soothing in the way it hit me. It made my own emotions swell.
Any fears I might have had were easily washed away by her.
I felt no doubt from her, no worry or fear.
As we clung to one another, I considered what else our future would hold.
What more we could do now that our enemy was gone, locked away in a prison he could never escape from.
Especially now that Ivy had no realm to rule over.
My mate yearned for the quiet and comfort of our new life. I felt that now, and I’d known that before. Being Queen was never her intention or desire, and I understood that perfectly. I’d not wanted to be King, either. And now…
Now we were neither of those things.
“One day,” I murmured, “I hope to share this with you again.”
Ivy glanced up with tired eyes. “Share what?”
My gaze dipped to the swell of her stomach, and slowly, I moved my hand to press against it. “This. The wonders of it.” When I looked up, her eyes were wet. “I never thought I would have you, let alone children. I would…I would be honoured to do it all again with you, my love.”
I awaited her answer with bated breath. “I would love to,” she whispered. “But give me a few years.”
A shaky, relieved breath escaped my lips. “Of course, dear wife. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Through the bond, I could tell Ivy needed rest, but she remained at our table, leaning back in a chair with her feet on the vampire’s lap.
Her shoes were gone, tossed to the side.
Even from this distance I could tell her ankles were swollen and feet likely bruised.
Despite the pain she was in, she remained smiling and happy as our guests bid their farewells.
Perhaps in a hundred years we could celebrate like this again.
Or a decade. It was almost…nice, being surrounded by our friends and family.
At least in a decade, the little twins would be old enough to enjoy the festivities and could be shuffled away when it was time for their bedtime, like the young girls.
All three were now gone, sleeping peacefully I hoped, exhausted yet happy.
Greer’s mates left with the shadows, meanwhile the friends of my mate started for the guest wing.
Ivy might have wanted peace, but she also particularly enjoyed having her friends close by.
Being mated and having the children made it hard for her to maintain those relationships—especially because they meant so much to her—but we helped where we could and ensured she also spent as much time as possible with them.
“I suppose it is time I leave,” Sao said, appearing beside me. “Thank you.”
I glanced down at the demon. “For what?”
His dark eyes found mine, features impossibly emotionless. “For inviting me.”
I snorted, crossing my arms, eyes drifting back to Ivy. “Why wouldn’t I, Sao? You are my oldest friend.”
The demon made a sound in the back of his throat. “I appreciate that, my ki—Rhadamanthus.” It’d taken him a long time to get used to the title of king, and I supposed it would take him just as long to get over it. “I hope this will not be the last I see of you.”
“It won’t,” I promised. As much as I didn’t want to return to the palace—my prison for over three thousand years, and the fields that’d once been my shackles—I would, should he or the new monarch of Elysian need me.
I hoped it wouldn’t be the case, but I would not close myself off to them, especially when I’d needed guidance upon my ascent of the throne, too.
Sao lowered his voice, inching closer. “There is still no news of a new ruler of the fields. Your cousins grow restless, and the demons in Elysian fear the boundary between the Underworld and the Fields may weaken with the absence of one.”
I released a slow breath as I looked from Ivy to the male beside me. “It is on the magic to identify the next ruler of Elysian. Not me or my wife. She gave the Fields power to choose the next ruler based on who would best suit taking the crown. It may take time for that demon to reveal themselves.”
The male nodded once before looking away. “We pray for it to happen soon, regardless,” he said, keeping his voice low. “But I suppose that is not something you should worry about. Not anymore.” He looked up, and our eyes met. “I will manage.”
The corners of my lips quirked in understanding. “You always do.”
“Good night, Rhadamanthus. I wish upon you a bright future no longer filled with death,” Sao murmured, stepping back.
I followed him for a moment, heart hammering in my chest, a wave of sadness crashing into me. It wasn’t goodbye, because I knew we would see each other again one day, and yet I couldn’t completely shoulder that weight.
“I hope you find your next ruler,” I replied sadly. “But I hope you also find future happiness, Sao. I am honoured to have known you so long. You deserve peace, and a life filled with less death, too.”
The demon looked over his shoulder with a sad, yet appreciative smile, and bowed his head once. He was not a man of many words, which I understood, so I watched him leave with my cousins, disappearing in a plume of shadow and darkness.
Are you okay? Ivy asked, her sweet voice a calming balm inside my mind.
When I turned back towards the table, her eyes were on me. Sad. Yes, my dear wife, I am. Better than I have been.
She reached out a beckoning hand, which I moved towards without hesitation. The table was surrounded by the last of Ivy’s mate circle, as well as her best friend and her parents.
“Well, we should be off,” the elder woman said, rising with her husband. “You get some rest, Ivy. Let these mates of yours take care of you.”
I took Ivy’s hand as she looked back at them, beaming. “Thank you for everything.”
The woman waved a dismissive hand. “We just did as we were told. They did all the heavy lifting. Just make sure they look after you, poor girl. Sweet dreams.”
“Good night,” Ivy murmured, watching them walk towards the guest entrance. “What about you, Thea?”
The blonde groaned. “I didn’t get drunk,” she pouted. “What’s the point of a wedding if your maid of honour doesn’t get white girl wasted and embarrasses you?”
Ivy barked a surprised laugh. “That might be the supernatural in you.”
I took the seat beside Ivy, which put me next to the divination mage. “I’d put money on you being a shifter, then,” he said. “They have the highest tolerance for alcohol.”
“Ah, yes,” I murmured, staring at the unknown female. “But she is no wolf, nor bear shifter. No known shifter, at least.”
“If anyone were to know,” the charm mage started, leaning forward from where he sat beside the other female, “then it would be you, Rhadamanthus. You’ve seen it all.”
“C’mon,” the female said. “Guess. Please.”
If I were to be honest, I would guess dragon.
But it was impossible. I’d been there the day the last one perished, before the realm they called the Old World was cut off from the rest of the realms under Nyx.
I had guided the female’s soul right into the Field towards her mates and Nyx.
There were none left to carry the bloodline.
“I’ve no clue,” I said. “The only one who would is Nyx.”
“And getting answers out of her is like pulling teeth, got it,” the blonde sighed. “Fine. So, are we getting drunk, or is the wife going to bed?”
That spurred on another conversation, one easy to drown out.
You know something, don’t you? Ivy asked silently, her eyes finding mine.
I brought her hand to my lips. Nothing. I promise you. Though I wish I did.
Love you, she whispered, smiling.
So much. And I would not give this up for anything. Not my crown, my immortality, or my power. Nothing compared to having my mate, claimed and mine, knowing one day this family would grow—and I would get to see it all.