Her mom smiled. “Speaking of life decisions, good or bad, I see you invited your father, and he brought a date.”
Raven gave her side-eye. “See what you get for hounding me to talk to him?”
“I wanted you to tell him you were expecting, not invite him back into the fold.”
“Meh, don’t get too excited. I don’t plan to make involving him in my life a habit.”
Her mother nodded appreciatively.
The music started, and Avery took her first steps down the long aisle in front of her, a bouquet of lilies in her hands.
“Here we go,” her mom whispered, squeezing her arm.
Raven watched Avery reach the front of the church where Tobias met her and escorted her to the side of the aisle. It was sad that Sabrina couldn’t join them, but it was a day wedding, and although she could tolerate the sunlight, it weakened her. Raven understood.
Gabriel’s sister, Rowan, proceeded down the aisle after Avery. Raven had enjoyed getting to know Gabriel’s sister and her new mate, Nick. She was overjoyed that the princess had agreed to be in her wedding and thought she looked flawless in the off-the-shoulder emerald gown that Avery had chosen for the occasion.
Once Rowan reached the head of the aisle, her fiancé, Nick, ushered her to the side behind Avery and Tobias. That’s when Gabriel stepped into view in front of the priest, looking even bigger and darker than usual in a black tuxedo. Raven released a happy sigh.
“Ready?” her mother asked her.
“Absolutely.”
“This doesn’t mean you’re going to break with tradition and change your name from Tanglewood to Blakemore, does it?”
She scoffed. “Absolutely not. I can be as good a wife as a Tanglewood than as a Blakemore.”
Her mother laughed. “You make me proud.”
The music changed, and they started down the aisle.
Raven continued, “Men have had the privilege of keeping their names for centuries. I’m certainly not going to spoil the Tanglewood legacy and bow to the patriarchy now.”
Her mother’s eyes wrinkled at the corners with her smile as they reached the front of the church, and she leaned forward to give Raven a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for letting me do this, Raven. You don’t need me, not anymore, but I’m here for you.”
“I need you, Mom. I’ll always need you.” Her hands trailed from her arm and she turned to Gabriel. His eyes misted at the sight of her. Her love, her dragon, her immortal mate. She felt exactly the same way.
The ceremony itself seemed to play out in fast-forward, their vows a string of pretty syllables that all reiterated what she already knew for sure—he was her soul mate, they were bound for life, and she would go to her death for him and for their child.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest said. “You may kiss the bride.”
Gabriel bent to meet her halfway. She rose up on her tiptoes and captured his mouth. She was careful to keep it appropriate for church, but she couldn’t wait to get him home. She already wondered at the delights she’d find in his bed tonight, just as she did every night. Loving Gabriel was an adventure in slick heat, soft kisses, and the throes of magic that brought with them their own pleasures.
Gabriel took her hand. “Come, my wife. We must greet our guests.”
He led her back up the aisle where they lined up next to Avery, Tobias, Rowan, and Nick to shake hands and greet attendees as they left for the reception. There were several people Raven didn’t know well, distant relations that her mother had invited and past neighbors whom she hadn’t seen in years.
Her father kissed her on both cheeks and offered his congratulations, but he did not introduce the woman who accompanied him. She was auburn-haired and freckled, and when she shook Raven’s hand, her touch sent a shiver of power up her arm. Raven went rigid, a strange taste filling her mouth, her hand turning cold as ice.
The woman released her and slipped into the crowd, arms linked with her father’s. They left the church before Raven could question what had happened.
“What’s wrong,” Gabriel asked, rubbing her back with a steadying hand. “All the color just drained from your face.”
“Did you recognize that woman who was with my father?”
He squinted after her, but she was long gone. “No.”
“She had power. I felt it. And it was somehow familiar.”
