Rytsar looked down at her delicate feet decorated in gold and pearls, then gazed up at her. “I will inform him that they enhance the perfection that is you.”
Brie blushed and looked away, embarrassed by his praise. Rytsar gave her a little bow and then did the same to the ladies in attendance before leaving the room.
“Such a fine Russian gentleman,” Aunt Fortuna said, fanning herself. “He could teach me a thing or two in the bedroom…”
Mary smirked. “You have no idea.”
Brie shook her head at Mary in warning. Aunt Fortuna did not need to know about Rytsar’s uncommon tastes.
The sound of violins began, letting them know the ceremony was about to begin. Sir’s grandmother and aunt gave Brie another hug before leaving the room.
Brie took the opportunity for one last look in the mirror, her stomach fluttering as she gazed at herself. The woman before her stood confident and proud in her gown of white lace. From her pink lips down to her pink toes hiding under the dress, she was the picture of femininity and elegance.
She knew Sir would be pleased when he saw his bride walking down the aisle. She touched the beautiful flowers Autumn had placed in her hair and thought of Tono. The love and confidence the Asian Dom had instilled were a permanent part of her now. She was the direct result of all of the Doms who had played a role in shaping her into who she was today.
Brie became teary-eyed at the thought, and hoped someday she would be able to properly thank all of them for this moment.
“Are you ready, Brianna?” her mother asked.
She smiled at her mother, dabbing her eyes, before putting her glove back on.
“For the best day of my life? Absolutely.”
Her mother leaned in and whispered, “This may be the best day of your life for now, but I guarantee the day you bring new life into the world will top even this.”
Brie’s lip trembled and she had to fight back more tears, knowing her mother was referring to the day she’d been born. “I love you, Mom.”
“You’re so elegant and accomplished, Brianna. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Brie gave her a hug, bursting with overflowing love for her mother. She heard a click and saw that Autumn was taking a picture.
“You want to preserve moments like this,” Autumn explained, sounding apologetic.
“Thank you,” Brie told her, grateful to have these private moments recorded. “I don’t want to forget anything about today.”
“My pleasure, Brie. It’s a joy to be part of such an important event.”
There was a knock on the door and her father entered. He was dressed in the same stylish suit as Rytsar and looked like a completely different man because of it.
“Dad, you should wear suits more often.”
He fussed with his tie. “I can’t stand these monkey suits.”
Her mother walked over and straightened his tie for him. “I wish you did, honey. You look absolutely dashing.”
He grumbled, but gave her a kiss when she was done. “Thank you, dear.”
Her father took a long look at Brie, shaking his head in gratified disbelief, looking every bit the proud papa.
“I’ve come here to collect the bride.”
“Oh, my goodness, it’s time!” Brie cried, throwing her arms around her father.
“Whoa, you’re going to mess up your pretty hair,” he cautioned.
“It’s okay, Dad,” Brie said, squeezing him tighter. She heard Autumn taking more pictures and was glad for it.
When her father let go, he looked at her mother and sighed deeply. “Are you ready for this, Marcy?”
She nodded, wiping away tears as she smiled at Brie.
Brie was anxious for the wedding to begin and asked Lea, “Where’s the bouquet?”
Lea looked heart-stricken. “I don’t have it, Brie! I’ve never seen it. Oh, heck, what does it even look like?”
“I don’t know!” Brie whimpered. She scanned the dressing room while everyone else tore the room apart looking for the bridal bouquet.
“You wouldn’t happen to be looking for a bouquet, would you?”
Brie knew that calming voice and looked up to see Tono. He looked swoon-worthy with his chocolate brown eyes, long bangs and sexy Italian suit.
“I was sent to inform you that a bouquet is waiting for you outside.”
“That’s highly unusual, isn’t it? Do you want one of us to get it for you, honey?” her mom asked.
“That’s not necessary,” Tono assured Brie’s mother. “It’s being delivered personally.”
“Thank you, Tono. That sounds lovely,” Brie said, smiling at him.
Tono bowed his head slightly. “I must return to the groom and let him know the message has been delivered.”
After he’d left, her father held out his arm. “I guess it’s time, my little girl.”
“Oh, man, I’ve got to get myself out there, girlfriend,” Lea squeaked. She gave Brie a quick peck on the cheek before she left the room.
Mary came up next. “I always said you were a fool…”
Brie waited, ready for the worst.
“But you’ve done well, Brie.”
Brie’s jaw dropped.
Mary leaned in and whispered, “I really said that for your parents, Stinky Cheese. You’re still an idiot in my book.” She laughed as if she had shared a humorous joke with Brie as she followed behind Lea.
Brie loved Mary for it.
Her mother gave her one last kiss before leaving her to get in line.
Brie took a deep breath, looking at her dad. “This is really it.”
“Want to run?”
She giggled. “Actually, I can’t wait to tie the knot.”
“Figuratively or literally?” he asked with a straight face.
Brie glanced at him. “Did you just make a joke?”
He looked ahead solemnly, refusing to answer.
“I can’t believe you just made a joke,” she said, smiling to herself.
They exited the room and followed the procession as they walked up a long flight of stone stairs. Brie noticed that every other step was decorated with lemons, greenery and baby’s breath. She was so enchanted by the simple elegance that she didn’t even notice who was waiting for her at the top.
“Hello.”
Brie looked up to see Sir holding a bouquet in his hand.
The sight of him took her breath away. He wore a black suit, with a dark vest covered in a silvery vine pattern that matched the pattern of his bow tie. Sir was stylish perfection, all the way down to his polished Italian shoes. On his lapel he wore a single magenta flower that matched the ones in the bouquet he was holding out to her.
Sir smiled charmingly as he explained, “It’s tradition in my family for the groom to present his bride with her flowers.”
Brie took the stunning bouquet, admiring the white calla lilies and freesias with accents of greenery, baby’s breath and the bright pink bougainvilleas she’d admired on Isola d’Elba.
She lifted the bouquet to her nose, taking in the sweet scent of freesias. “It’s so beautiful.”
“As are you, Brianna.”
The sound of her full name rolling from Sir’s lips was like a song. He walked away to take his position for the wedding, looking so unbelievably handsome that Brie wanted to cry.
The wedding party waited until the traditional wedding march began. Brie felt the tingling start. This had been fated from the moment she was born. Everything she’d experienced, everything that had transpired since—all of it had led to this point in time.
Brie held her head a little higher but kept it at a respectful angle, eager to walk down the aisle to meet her husband and Master.
“Ready, my little girl?”
“Yes, Daddy,” she said with conviction as they took their first step to the rhythm of the song.
The courtyard was filled with people, far more than Brie would ever have imagined. She glanced around in surprise, recognizing many famili
ar faces she hadn’t expected to see. It seemed Sir had invited most of the Training Center to join them for this momentous day.
Brie’s eyes traveled to the end of the aisle, where she spotted Sir waiting under a simple wooden trellis covered in the same flowers as those in her bouquet. Beside him stood Rytsar, Master Anderson and Tono, and on the left stood Lea, Mary and Autumn—the girls looking stunning in their sleek magenta gowns that harmonized with the bougainvilleas in her bouquet.
Brie was so mesmerized by Sir’s smile as she came down the aisle that she could barely breathe.
Oh, Sir…
Her father released his hold and physically placed her hand in Sir’s open palm, nodding to him before joining Brie’s mother in the front row.
Brie looked up into Sir’s eyes, stunned that she was actually standing beside him, about to take her wedding vows. Her smile faded as the importance of this moment suddenly hit her full-force.
Here, before all their family and even God himself, they were making the commitment of a lifetime. Although it had the same significance to her as the Collaring Ceremony, this union held more weight with the rest of the world.
The man who would marry them, the mayor of the local village, cleared his throat to get the attention of the crowd. He said something in Italian and half the guests sat down. Brie’s American friends quickly followed.
Brie listened to the beautiful sound of the mayor’s voice as he rolled off the legal requirements spelled out in a civil wedding. Although there was nothing romantic about what he was saying, everything sounded more romantic in Italian.
She knew the time was close when Sir looked into her eyes after the man paused. He smiled confidently at her and said loudly, “Lo voglio.”
Brie’s heart fluttered.
The mayor then asked her the same question in Italian. With her heart racing, she said with passion, “Lo voglio.”
He then made a pronouncement, and the Italian guests smiled and clapped. Brie looked out at her friends and family, wishing they could understand what had been said.
Rytsar handed Sir her ring.
Sir took Brie’s hand in his, slipping the wedding band onto her finger. As he did so, he looked into her eyes, expressing his love for her.
Rytsar placed Sir’s ring in her hand and winked at her before taking his place behind Sir. Brie’s hand shook so badly that she had trouble putting the band on his finger, and she had to laugh at herself. She looked up at him when she was done, forgetting the silent vow she had meant to say with her eyes and simply mouthing the words, “Condors forever.”
Brie assumed the ceremony was over, until she saw Marquis Gray take the place of the mayor with Sir’s cousin, Benito, joining him.
“Now that the civil wedding is complete, we will continue with the exchange of traditional vows.”
Brie heard her Americans friends voice their approval while Benito translated Marquis’ words into Italian for Sir’s family. She looked at Sir in surprise, before turning her attention back to Marquis.
Marquis Gray met her gaze with those dark, intense eyes, but there was a spark of pride behind them she hadn’t seen before.
“We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to join in one of life’s greatest moments. Thane and Brianna have invited us to share in this celebration of their marriage—their wedding. We are here not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists.
“This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. It is fitting at this time to speak briefly about the power love can have in our lives. We live in a world of joy and fear, searching for meaning in the seeming chaos of life. Yet we discover the truest guidelines to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes. Love is the eternal force of life. Love allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.”
Marquis turned to Brie first. “Brianna Renee Bennett, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and obey him, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?”
Brie stared deep into Sir’s eyes as she answered proudly, “I will.”
Marquis turned to Sir. “Thane Lorenzo Davis, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and protect her, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?”
Sir raised his eyebrow charmingly when he answered. “I will.”
“The couple will now exchange personal vows.”
Sir smiled, lifting Brie’s hand to his lips and kissing the ring on her finger before speaking. “Brie, from the moment we met, I was mesmerized by you. I’ve never known a woman more loving, kind or stubborn than you.”
There were several knowing chuckles from the guests.
Sir glanced at them and grinned before returning his gaze to her. “I’m unsure whether these people know how truly extraordinary you are, but I do.” He cupped her chin with his right hand. “This ring is a physical representation of my vow to you—my bride. With my body, I thee worship. With my heart, I thee cherish. All that I am, I give to thee. All that I have, I share with thee. From this day until forever done.”
Brie had to fight the tears that threatened, and squeezed Sir’s hand. She waited several moments before she spoke the words she’d wanted to tell him.
“Thane, you have shown me a whole new world I never knew existed. My love for you is boundless and my respect for you runs deep. Meeting you that fateful day in the shop altered the course of my life, but loving you has changed me. I look forward to growing old by your side as your lover, wife and best friend. Condors forever.”
Sir’s gaze held hers as Marquis spoke again.
“This is a moment of celebration, but let it also be a moment of dedication. The world does a fine job of reminding us of how fragile we are. People are fragile; relationships are fragile too. Every marriage needs the love and support of a network of friends and family.
“On this wedding day, I ask all of you to be friends of Thane and Brie as a couple. Be friends of their relationship and be there with them through the trials and triumphs ahead.”
Marquis addressed Sir and Brie again. “May the flow of your love help brighten the fate of the Earth. May the strength of your love touch and bless us all, gracing our lives with its color and courage.”
He looked out over the crowd and exclaimed proudly, “It is my pleasure to introduce to you…Mr. and Mrs. Thane Davis.” Then he said to Sir, “You may kiss your bride.”
Sir swept Brie into his arms, bending her backwards as he gave her a deep and passionate kiss, to the roaring applause of their family and friends.
It was a moment Brie would never forget.
The Dance
Brie couldn’t take her eyes off her husband as they greeted their guests in the reception hall inside the castle. He seemed equally infatuated with Brie, and kept her close to him, his hand resting on the small of her back, lightly touching her brand.
Brie’s mom was the first to come and congratulate them. “Such a touching ceremony, Brianna.” She turned to Sir. “This has to be the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever seen.”
Sir held out his left arm, still keeping hold of Brie as he gave her mother a hug. “Thank you, Mom.”
Brie’s mother looked proudly up at him. “It means so much that you call me that, Thane. Never stop.”
Brie heard an undercurrent of emotion in Sir’s voice when he told her, “It is an honor to be known as your son.”
Brie’s father held out his hand. “You know my thoughts on your extra-curricular activities, but as a husband to my little girl, I couldn’t ask for a better man.”
Sir shook his hand firmly. “That means a lot, sir.”
Her father got an odd expression on his face. “Actually, I would prefer you called me Dad from now on.”
Brie
couldn’t believe it.
Sir appeared equally shocked. “I did not expect such an honor. Thank you…Dad.”
The word ‘Dad’ sounded so strange coming from Sir’s lips, but it touched Brie greatly. Sir was part of her family now. A family with no other agenda than to see them happy together.
She threw her arms around her father. “You’ve made me so happy.”
“I’m proud of you, my beautiful daughter.”
Brie laid her head on his shoulder, soaking in the tenderness of the moment—making her feel like a child again.
Sir’s grandmother was standing a distance away, but Brie could tell she was anxious to speak with them. She gave her father a kiss on the cheek before excusing herself.
Brie and Sir made their way over to his grandmother. Her eyes radiated youthful excitement as words tumbled from her mouth. Sir explained to Brie, “My nonna was very touched by the English version of the ceremony. She despised the civil ceremony, but was moved by what Marquis Gray shared, as well as our vows to each other.”
Brie smiled at the old woman who was now her grandmother by marriage. “Nonna, it means the world to me that you were here to share in our happiness. I love your grandson very much.”
She pinched Brie’s cheeks hard in her zeal. “Joyful couple,” she said in English, slapping Brie’s cheeks afterwards. Although Brie’s cheeks burned from the contact, she enjoyed the woman’s enthusiasm.
“Yes, very joyful,” she agreed, her smile widening.
Sir’s grandfather walked up and gave her a quick kiss on the lips, his eyes twinkling mischievously. He spoke in Italian, letting Sir translate for him.
“Nonno says that I will make you happy.”
The look in the old man’s eye hinted at the fact that he meant more than simply as her spouse. Brie nodded, blushing as she answered, “Your grandson is a very generous man.”
The old man nodded, then hugged Sir. Whatever his grandfather whispered in his ear left Sir teary-eyed. He quickly regained his composure, but gave his grandfather another hug.
“Mrs. Davis, may I be one of the first to congratulate you?”