SHADE
“Damn, I look good. I mean, I always do, but I am really working this suit.” I say, admiring myself in the standing mirror of the guest bedroom I’m using to get ready.
Marla steps out of the en-suite bathroom, her similar suit perfectly pressed.
The fabric complimenting her shining black horns and tail.
“Yes. Yes. You’re the prettiest princess at the ball. Let’s get a move on or you’ll be late to your own wedding.” She huffs.
I asked Marla to be my best woman. She’s my best friend.
My only friend, really. Though, I feel I’ve made a few more since going back to Demo Global.
And she accepted Remmie immediately. Marla told her, and I quote, “Anyone who can put up with this lazy, arrogant demon is a winner in my book.” End quote.
So rude.
Though I don’t agree with her assumption of me, I am happy Remmie has one of the most powerful demons in the city on her side.
And with those old witches and Remmie’s bestie Sharina, I feel like we have found a family worthy of protecting.
It is small, but it’s ours. And it is something I wouldn’t change for the world.
“By the way,” Marla starts, “Everyone but the Orc is here.”
“Ugh. Why am I not surprised. He definitely owes me one for missing my wedding!” I huff.
“He’s a busy bloke. Can’t expect him to show up to every little thing. I admire his dedication.” Marla says.
“Workaholic.” I groan.
“Says the laziest demon in existence. How Remmie fell for you, I’ll never understand.”
I smile to myself, my heart so full, it’s ready to burst. “Yeah, I don’t know how either.”
“Ew. Your love for each other is as nauseating as it is adorable.” Marla sighs.
“I cannot wait until this happens to you.” I chuckle.
“Never!” She growls.
I shake my head and start down the stairs.
“You are such a grump. Ok. I’m ready to smooch my bride. Let’s go.”
We decided to have a small ceremony at our home. It truly has become out happy place this past year together. Remmie constantly offered to change things around to suit me, but I would have none of that.
Besides my clothes and my movie collection, I didn’t bring much new to the space. And I have no desire to change a thing. I love this house because my mate is all over it.
The dining room has transformed into the food and cocktail space, full of delicious dishes and desserts I’ve already had the pleasure of sampling.
A beautiful two tier cake my bride-to-be made herself, sits in the center of the decorated kitchen counter, covered in blush colored icing and floral designs she agonized over for days.
My mind can’t help but wonder back to the things I did to my little baker on that very counter more than once and I struggle to hold back a moan at the memory.
No getting hard in this suit, Shade. It’s a rental.
The yard beyond the back deck is covered with cream linens, tables, chairs and assorted flowers.
An aisle leading to a vine-covered arch stretches before me, lined with faux candles, twinkling even in the afternoon sun.
I stand before our guest, where in few moments, I’ll get to marry my mate. My love.
I fiddle with my tie again as I wait for the ceremony to start.
Sharina, Remmie’s maid of honor, set up speakers to play the music Remmie is set to walk down the aisle to.
Down to my waiting arms. Marla smacks my hand for the third time, hissing at me that my tie is fine.
Why am I so nervous? It’s not like she’s not going to show up, right?
The music starts and the guests stand. I look up towards the house and my breath stalls in my chest. There stands my mate, my soon to be wife.
She’s gorgeous. Her normally springy curls are pinned atop her head.
Pearl earrings dangle from her ears and rest on her smooth neck.
The blush gown is delicate yet hugs the glorious curves I love to hold, and I yearn to touch her in a not so wholesome way.
How is it that I’m forced to be on my best behavior when my woman looks that damn good. This day will be harder than I thought.
Her smile lights up my whole world was she walks towards me- holding a bouquet made of her grandmothers’ broaches, that glitter in the sun. The rest of the world falls away and we are the only two beings in the universe.
We have been through so much. The discovery of Remmie’s magical family and the anxiety of what Dalia would do to us. Remmie was the light at the end of a very long tunnel and I will spend the rest of our lives together showing her how grateful I am to have her, of how in love I am with her.
When she slides her hands in mine I remember where I am. The officiant. A short, round troll with gray skin and big brown eyes starts the ceremony. I don’t hear a thing, totally focused on my girl.
“You look so beautiful, Sweetness.” I whisper. She beams up at me and my heart explodes.
“Do we have the rings?” The troll asks.
Marla hands me my ring for Remmie. A rose gold band that matches her grandmother’s original ring. My little Witch engraved on the inside. I hold her hand tighter in mine as I say my vows to her.
“With this ring, Remmie, I thee wed. For all the days of this life and the next. You are my eternity, my love.” I slide the ring her finger watching it meet with the first ring.
A perfect set. Awes and sighs flow out of the small crowd and Remmie dabs a tissue under her eyes, which glitter with unshed tears. Happy tears.
Sharina hands Remmie my ring. A bigger match to hers. Rose gold, with the engraving, My Sweet Demon on the inside of the band. That’s me! She slides it on my finger, a perfect fit.
“With this ring, Shade, I thee wed. You brought joy to my sadness. Light to my darkness. And not a day will go by that you won’t have a hand to hold, arms to embrace you or a heart to love you. You are my forever.”
I show off my ring to the crowd, who chuckle in response. What? I’m proud to be a kept demon.
The trolls’ voice booms over the crowd, “I declare you husband and wife. Shade, you may now kiss your beautiful wife.”
Our first kiss as husband and wife was meant to be sweet and quick, just like we talked about.
But when my lips touched hers and she lets out the smallest moan only I can hear, I can’t contain my urge to consume her.
Holding her in my arms, I deepen the kiss, pulling her up off her feet in the process. I will always loose myself in her.
“Ahem.” A throat clearing breaks our spell.
“Oh, sorry! Sort-of.” I chuckle, putting Remmie back down. Her cheeks are a deep red, lips thoroughly kissed.
“Honored guest. Please congratulate Remmie and Shade. They are now husband and wife.”
Our guests clap as we walk back down the aisle together, hand in hand.
After all the pictures and toasts, we finally cut into our wedding cake.
Almond with cherry filling. My favorite.
The smell I associate with my lovely mate.
After the food was gone and the wine bottles were empty, the wedding lapped into a calm rhythm.
The guests enjoying dancing and chatting together as midday turned to night.
It’s perfect. I slow dance with Remmie, her body pressed into mine.
“Did you have a good day, Wife” I ask.
“Of course I did, Husband.” She beams.
I am the luckiest demon ever to have found my mate, my other half.
I spent way too long running, never having a place to land and stay, to feel safe.
But getting stuck in a bakery and falling in love with the owner ending up being exactly what my lonely existence needed.
Remmie is everything. More than a demon like me deserves.
But I’ve always loved sweet things, and my little witch is as sweet as they come.
“Take me to bed, demon.” Remmie teases, standing on her tiptoes to brush her lips across mine.
“Whatever my mate desires.” I lift her into my arms, walking towards the deck.
“Ok. This party is over. I have to make sweet love to my wife. Thank you all for coming. It means the world to us. And goodnight.” I say, walking into the house.
Remmie groans, clearly embarrassed. Sharina laughs and hoots after us.
For me, this was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
I take my mate up the stairs to our room- her light kissed against my neck and her laughter sending sparks throughout my body.
I intend to fulfill all of my wife’s demands, happily, for many years to come.
THE END