Dozens of chairs had been laid out in the middle, separated by an aisle covered in silver petals leading up to a gorgeous marble arch, which was dressed in a plethora of wild and silver orchids, with white and silver ribbons swirling in and out of the floral arrangement. The arch itself was placed on a low white marble platform, where Great-Grandpa Derek and Safira waited patiently. Derek looked handsome, downright breathtaking in his black tuxedo, his hair elegantly combed to one side.
Safira, one of the Daughters of Eritopia, looked stunning and ethereal as usual, a golden mask covering her face. Layers of white silk had been neatly wrapped around her body, snug but fluid around her curves, while gold-and-gemstone rings and bracelets added splashes of color to the outfit. Her long, straight reddish pink hair was styled in an ample up-do, with more gems and golden leaves braided throughout. Her eyes were bright and violet as she looked across the platform at the mixture of guests taking their seats.
Jovi stood by Derek’s side, dapper in his black tux, with his designer stubble and wide, green eyes that shimmered with excitement. Today was his and Anjani’s day, and I couldn’t help but feel everything he was feeling through my sentry nature. Happiness and love were oozing out of him in soft ribbons of gold and pink, and his good humor was downright infectious, making me smile as I made my way toward the front row, where my parents, Caia, and her parents were already seated.
Caia looked beautiful in her teal chiffon ballerina dress—it brought out her eyes and complemented her slim, sculptured legs. I’d gone for a long and dark gray satin dress that fit snugly against my curves and left my arms and shoulders bare. My black hair was straightened and combed over one shoulder, and I’d completed the look with a diamond earring and necklace set that made my bluish green eyes pop.
I took my seat next to Caia, giving her a warm smile as I glanced around the platform and admired the dazzling array of dresses and tuxes that our families and friends were donning for this wedding. Fiona, Scarlett, and Avril were sitting behind us, accompanied by their parents. Victoria, Xavier, and Vivienne were seated on the other side of the aisle, along with Sofia, River and Ben, and Rose and Caleb. The Red Tribe succubi had taken the rows behind them, along with the Master Druids, the Green and White Tribe succubi, Tamara and Eva on behalf of the Lamias, and a shimmering throng of incubi from Grezzi’s ranks. On our side, the Hawk brothers, the Maras and Jax’s wards, Zeriel, and a Tritone delegation were occupying the back rows, along with more of our Shadians, including witches and fire dragons.
It was a colorful combination to say the least, and a pleasure to look at. My mom and dad were sitting next to me, while Grace and Lawrence had been seated toward the aisle, next to Caia.
“You are looking beautiful as usual,” Mom said with a warm smile, then glanced at Caia. “Both of you, for that matter!”
“Thanks, Mom,” I replied. “Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing the bridesmaids and, of course, the bride. I understand Corrine did her dress.”
“Oh, yes, I think she’s really outdone herself this time—even though I feel like I say that every time. I only got a glimpse of Anjani before I came up here, and let’s just say it’ll be one for the fashion history books.”
The wedding procession music started playing, the violins announcing the arrival of the bride. We all turned our heads, focusing on the far end of the aisle. They would all be coming up via the stairs from the level below.
The first to emerge were the four mutated shape-shifters. They’d stuck around as honorary family members of sorts. Or, better said, pets... They’d decided to morph into two little boys and girls for the occasion, wearing tuxes and silvery dresses, their eyes bright and violet as they moved down the aisle, dropping wild orchid petals from their cute little wicker baskets. Yes, they could be creepy at times...
I’d trained with them back at the GASP base on Mount Zur—in their native forms, they were fast and downright ferocious, so it was weird to watch them pretending to be humans. Their impressions were on point, though, and, had it not been for that violet glow in their eyes, they would’ve gotten away with it.
I glanced over at Jovi, who’d straightened his back, taking deep breaths and trying to keep his emotions under control, although he was raw and positively beaming on the inside.
Phoenix and Viola came next, followed by Aida and Field, Serena and Draven, and Vita and Bijarki. The groomsmen had been expertly fitted into their black suits and crisp, white shirts, while the bridesmaids were all stunning in matching gray silk dresses adorned with a silver orchid blossom nearly covering each right shoulder, and holding small white bouquets.
They walked gracefully down the aisle, smiling at us and taking their standing positions on the bride and groom’s sides in front of Derek and Safira.
Next came Aura and Almandine, two teenage succubi and little sisters to Anjani. They giggled as they moved toward the wedding arch and tossed shimmering sparkles into the air, each bursting into a myriad of silvery bursts, like miniature fireworks.
Gasps and cheers emerged from the crowd as the young succubi moved behind Viola, Serena, Aida, and Vita. I looked back at the end of the aisle, and saw Jax and Heron rushing to take their seats in the last row.
At the same time, Hansa emerged, simply breathtaking in her gray silk dress, the fabric snug and accentuating her athletic curves and full bust. Her long black hair had been combed over one shoulder, inky curls cascading down to her hip. Jax stilled just as he was about to sit down, unable to take his eyes off her—much like most of the other males on the platform, for that matter.
Hansa was stunning from head to toe, her skin glowing with a silver shimmer. She was holding a bouquet of white roses and lily of the valley. Her emerald-gold eyes met Jax’s for a brief moment, before she stepped forward. As soon as she reached his side, however, Heron grinned and gave Jax a firm nudge that pushed him into the aisle, stopping Hansa in her tracks.
It was too late for Jax to pull back now, so he moved closer to her and offered his arm. I knew Hansa would have come up alone, based on what Serena had told me about her—Hansa was a solitary warrior succubus who’d never depended on a male for anything. Jax’s jade glare burned into Heron for a second, but he only got an arrogant smirk back from his younger brother.
He then looked at Hansa, his expression firm and unreadable. She reluctantly put her arm around his and allowed him to walk her down the aisle. They looked beautiful together, and there was clearly chemistry between them, no matter how much they’d both denied it before. The more Jax tried to stay away from her, the more the universe pushed them closer to one another. Well, the universe and Heron, who seemed to get a kick out of putting his brother in less-than-comfortable situations.
Jax and Hansa reached the wedding arch and separated, taking their positions by Bijarki and Vita, respectively.
The music grew more intense as the violins burst into a fluid rendition of the wedding march. All eyes were on the aisle again. Anjani emerged with Bastien, the father of the groom. I would’ve thought Hansa to be the one to give Anjani away, but the former tribe chief had stated that it went against the succubi’s tradition to give their blood away to anyone. Either there would be a male willing to adopt this Earthly custom and walk Anjani down the aisle, or the bride would do it herself, like the warrior she was. And so, it was up to Bastien to assume his role as the “father” of the bride, too, giving her away and receiving her into his family at the same time.
I held my breath as they walked toward us. Jovi was positively speechless and stunned, unable to take his eyes off her. I couldn’t blame him, either. Anjani was a vision in her pearly white dress, glowing like an evening star as she walked toward her future. The white of her gown offered an elegant but dramatic contrast with her black hair, which had been pulled into a stylish bun with silver orchids braided into it, and the thin, vertical red line painted on her slender neck, a sign of her tribal affiliation.
We watched with baited breath as Bastien broug
ht Anjani in front of Jovi. Bastien was beaming with pride, and tears of joy glistened in his eyes as he stepped to the side and allowed the bride and groom to look at each other for the first time. I heard my mom sniffing to my right, echoed by Grace on Caia’s left, and stifled an eye roll. I liked weddings and all, but I just had a hard time truly connecting with the concept myself. Love was something I understood and admired in the relationships in my family; I simply wasn’t sure whether I’d get to experience it like my mom and dad did, or like Jovi and Anjani, for that matter. I hadn’t found anyone to make me feel so intensely, to be so connected to—at least, not yet.
I focused on Jovi and Anjani, who stood facing each other before Derek and Safira. There was a peculiar warmth coursing through me at the sight of them. They were gorgeous, their gazes overflowing with love for one another. Jovi’s expression was particularly adorable, as he was genuinely dumbstruck by the sight of her.
“I must say,” Derek started, “this is the fourth wedding that I’ve had the pleasure to officiate in Eritopia, and it is still an incredible experience for me to be able to join two souls in matrimony like this. I’m sure you all feel the same, in the sense that it is truly a privilege to witness the marriage of Jovi Blackhall and Anjani Gorria. One is a son, a brother, and a friend to many of us in The Shade. The other is a daughter, a sister, and a friend to many of us in Eritopia. They’ve met in the most peculiar of circumstances, as I’m sure you all know by now.”
“Jovi selflessly put himself at risk to save the life of one of our own,” Safira continued, her violet eyes glowing with kindness and gratitude. “He did not think twice. For that, Eritopia is eternally grateful to him, which is why it is my pleasure today to assist in officiating this wedding, in bringing two beautiful souls together down the path of marriage. And what is marriage, if not a higher level of friendship, a timeless and selfless partnership? It is the manifestation of love in its purest form. It is the joy of looking at your partner and knowing that there will never be another who could give you their life like this.”
“Marriage,” Derek added with a warm smile, “is a gift. A promise that in good and in bad, in peace and in war, in sickness and in health, in happiness and in grief, you will be together. You will be there for one another. You will love and cherish one another. You will honor and protect one another. You will be one, for as long as you both shall live, and well beyond the veil of death. Your souls will forever be bound.”
Jovi’s eyes were glazed with tears, as were Anjani’s. They both smiled, resonating with Derek and Safira’s words on so many levels. My heart swelled at the sight of their pure, unadulterated happiness. I’d only known them for three months, but they were family; they were our friends and allies. I couldn’t help but bask in the sunshine of their moment.
“Of course, we could tell you more about what marriage really is,” Derek said. “But we all experience it differently. We make it our own. You’ve both prepared vows for this most auspicious day, so we’d very much like to hear what you will make of your bond and what you mean to one another. Please, proceed.”
Jovi took a deep breath, swallowing back some tears and jagged nerves as he took Anjani’s hands in his, his gaze radiant with love and worship.
“I never thought I would meet someone who could make me feel the way you do, Anjani,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “I was a trivial and zany creature until the moment you fell out of those woods and looked at me for the first time. Your beauty, your resilience, and your wit make me feel humble and most fortunate to have earned your love. I’m an idiot, Anjani. I’m a kid at heart. I don’t take anything too seriously, but every time I look at you, the universe stills. My heart skips a beat and my soul trembles before you. You are everything I need, and more. I am honored to stand before you today, so the whole world can hear me say that I love you. I’ve loved you from the moment we met, despite the difficult circumstances. You’ve given me reason to keep pushing, to not give up, and to grab my fate by the horns and tell it ‘No! Today, I live! Today, I love! Today, I am—because of her!’… For that, Anjani, I thank you. And I promise to love and honor you, to protect and encourage you, to delight and cherish you for as long as I live, and even after that. Thank you for saying yes. It’s now up to me to make it worthwhile for you, my love.”
I held my breath as he produced two wedding bands from his jacket pocket and placed one on her finger. A single tear rolled down Anjani’s cheek. She took the other ring and looked at it for a while before gazing up at him and flashing a bright smile.
“Jovi,” she said. “I didn’t really like you when we first met.”
I stifled a chuckle, as did most of us in the front rows. I heard Heron’s utter failure to hold his in from the back and pressed my lips even tighter, watching Jovi blink several times, clearly surprised by how Anjani had chosen to begin her wedding vow.
“I thought you were reckless, somewhat delusional, and arrogant,” she continued with a smirk. “I thought… Why does he look at me that way? Why do I feel my soul unravel whenever I look into his eyes? What would I ever do with a wolf-boy who dislikes thinking before he speaks? Why would he ever find me as essential to his existence as he is to mine? Because you see, Jovi… I didn’t like you, but not because of your quirks and faults. I have plenty of my own. I didn’t like you because I had a feeling, from the moment you saved my life, that I might end up loving you. I didn’t like you because I was afraid you would never fall in love with me the way I might fall for you.
“But then, day after day, my body and my heart got the better of me. You wiggled your way through, past my defenses. You stomped through my soul with your muddy boots and made it yours. I loved every minute of it. I love you, Jovi, just the way you are. Your passion, your glee, your jovial nature, and your strength. Your patience, your ability to see the best in others, your selflessness, and your devotion. Your kindness, your silliness, your vibrant energy, and your sweet, sweet nature. I love it all. I love you. And I thank you for loving me, Jovi. I thank you for making me the happiest creature in the world. And yes, as you’re making your promise to me now, I’m making mine. I love you, and I swear by all the stars and suns and moons in this universe and beyond, that I will continue to love you, to honor and cherish you, to defend and encourage you, to be your lover and best friend, to be one with you, until the end of time…”
She exhaled sharply and put the wedding ring on his finger. Their hands were trembling and their souls raw, open and colorful for me to read like the most wonderful, timeless love story.
Even Derek could hardly hold it in anymore, clearing his husky throat as he brought his hands together, while Safira’s violet eyes glowed even brighter.
“That being said,” he declared, “I believe it is both my and Safira’s pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride, Jovi. Congratulations to you both!”
Jovi and Anjani kissed, and we all erupted into cheers, feverishly clapping, with wet eyes and beaming smiles. Alma and Almandine threw orchid petals in the air. Safira raised her hands and, with a flick of her wrists, ignited dozens of enormous fireworks above the terrace.
They boomed through the sky in breathtaking explosions of pink, violet, and red, spreading out and further popping into smaller white, green, and golden sparks. We were all standing up at that point, Jovi’s parents hugging them both, along with Hansa. The groomsmen and bridesmaids quickly huddled around them, followed by the rest of our family.
Happiness overflowed from the newlywed couple as they thanked everyone for their wishes and their support. Field wrapped an arm around Jovi’s shoulders, pulling him closer and grinning.
“That’s it, buddy!” Field said. “You are officially screwed! Well done!”
“Oh, now you tell me!” Jovi smirked, then lovingly looked at Anjani, who had yet to remove herself from his embrace. “Did you hear that, baby? He thinks I’m the one who’s screwed, when you’re the one who’s stuck with me…”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Anjani replied gently, and kissed him deeply.
One by one, we all got to hug and congratulate them, after which more petals and fireworks were thrown to further celebrate their union. Inon and Zur, the two Dearghs settled on the added stairs on both sides of the platform, clapped once and instantly ignited, turning into blazing fire giants.
We all gasped and cheered and clapped some more. They normally did that when they were angry or in combat mode, but in this case, it was to amplify the celebratory moment with more flashing pyrotechnics. I mean, who wouldn’t want a Deargh to put on a show like that at their wedding?
I would’ve liked a relationship like theirs. But I just hadn’t found it yet. It seemed like a distant achievement, too, as I’d always been focused on my GASP career and my desire to help others, to set better examples across the species and inspire future generations to do more for peace and tolerance.
Nevertheless, I held my hope. After all, Jovi had found a soulmate in Anjani, a warrior succubus who had been raised to trust no one, to act first and ask questions later and to kill anyone and anything that stood to threaten her family and her friends. To her, Jovi was perfect.
All I had to do was find someone who’d be as perfect to me. Or, perhaps even better, stop looking altogether and let him find me. Why rush? Anjani had found Jovi while running from a crazed shape-shifter. It wasn’t exactly a typical “meet cute”.
Scarlett
(Daughter of Jeramiah & Pippa)
The banquet hall wasn’t stunning just because of its intricate and fabulous décor, but also because of its size. It covered most of the entire floor of the castle, with access to a wide hallway and hundreds of small terraces overlooking the rolling hills around Luceria.