There was no going back to hell. No waiting for another Full Moon. No Demon Lord. Nothing to keep them apart. They had eternity and she was not going to waste a second of it. Falling onto his bent knee, Audrey kissed Rian with the same promise of absolute love and commitment as he’d shown her just moments before.
Standing and again setting her on her feet in front of him, Rian shook his head then looked her up and down with such deliberate intent that she could feel his eyes on her body just as his hands had been moments ago, Rian sighed, “You are absolutely perfect.” He stepped back. “I have to go or I’m going to rip off these clothes and keep you naked for at least a month.”
Turning and moving out the door so quickly she felt the breeze, he stopped and turned before shutting the door, “I’ll see you at midnight on the beach.”
“You’ll what?” she called after him, but her only answer was the shutting of the front door.
Now, what has he done?
After fifteen minutes with the girls as Rian had called them, Audrey knew she was being ambushed. Kyra and Sam had arrived with a basket of goodies that smelled so good her stomach had growled before they got to the kitchen. Right behind them were Alicia and Melanie, closely followed by Calysta and Sarah Beth.
She watched as Sam made coffee, hoping she’d remember how the next time she wanted a cup and also asked Kyra for the recipe to her blueberry muffins. It didn’t take long for the conversation to get to the topic of mating and the mating ceremony.
Audrey once again was thankful that over the years Rian had prepared her for everything he could. He’d explained how the Universe had made them to be together and that she was the only mate he would ever have. She’d especially been impressed when he’d told her that the man plans the mating ceremony. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than she knew what Rian was up to and why the girls had come to talk to her.
“That man,” she laughed. “Y’all are here to get me ready for tonight aren’t you? I noticed all four of you,” Audrey pointed to Kyra, Sam, Alicia, and Melanie, “are already mated.” Turning to Calysta and Sarah Beth, she added, “And I’m guessing you’re here for moral and motherly support?” She smiled, once again in awe of how much Rian had done for her and continued to do.
Their looks of shock were priceless, as was the way they tried to cover them up. Audrey let them all try to deny it for about thirty seconds before she shook her head. “You’ll have to do better than that, ladies. I was with the Chancellor of Hell for almost a century. I’ve gotten pretty good at ferreting out a plan.”
They all laughed aloud.
“Busted!” Kyra chuckled. “You can’t fault the big guy. He tried. Ri just wants everything to be perfect. He and…”
The doorbell cut off her words as Alicia hopped up and answered the door. When the young witch returned, she was carrying a huge white box wrapped in royal blue satin ribbon. Setting it in the middle of the table, she teased in a singsong voice. “Looks like somebody loves you.”
“Open it.” Kyra was on her feet and pushing the box towards the end of the table where Audrey was sitting.
“Okay, okay, I’m opening it,” she joked, standing and carefully untying the bow.
Lifting the lid off the box, Audrey removed the tissue paper and stood dumbfounded at the beautiful gown of white gossamer before her. Pulling it from the box, tears filled her eyes as she gazed upon the strapless bodice that tapered to the waist with a flowing floor-length skirt embellished with tiny deep blue flames. Every detail was perfectly crafted, even the blue satin ribbon that laced up the back.
“That is absolutely gorgeous and you’re gonna look amazing in it,” Melanie squealed with excitement.
“There’s more, Audrey,” Kyra instructed with a knowing wink.
Sifting through the tissue, she found an elegant pair of white silk slippers, each embroidered with a tiny set of blue dragon wings just below the toe, and a note addressed to her.
My dearest Audrey, Tonight we become one, together forever, never to be parted. Our journey has been long and at times difficult, but I always knew this day would come. I never gave up hope. I promise to love you like the stars love the sky and the ocean loves the water. For you, a mhuirnín, are the light of my soul and the love of my life. The moon may not be full but I refuse to wait another day. Meet me where it all began at midnight. All my love, always, Rian
She couldn’t, nor did she want to, stop the tears of joy that flowed after reading the precious words from her mate. Just like he, she’d never given up hope but had often wondered how long they would wait for this day. Now it was here.
Looking around the table, she saw the smiling faces of the women she would call kin and her heart filled to bursting. Wiping tears from her face, she looked at the clock on the mantel and said, “Well, we better get busy. There’s only twelve hours until I become Audrey O’Reilly and I haven’t had my hair done in a hundred years.”
The room erupted into laughter as they all assured her they had it covered. Following Kyra down the hall, Audrey was shocked when the little witch opened the door to the right of Rian’s bedroom. They all stood aside as she walked over the threshold into the most gorgeous dressing room she’d ever seen. More tears flowed as she took in the furnishings and décor. Rian had exactly duplicated the room of her dreams that she had described one of the many nights they spent talking after he’d summoned her.
Every detail was perfect down to the jeweled antique hair combs that resembled her mother’s. Sitting in the high-back white wooden chair, she looked into the three-way mirror before her and could only smile at the people behind her, so ready to help, so willing to make her transition back into the real world.
Hours passed as they primped and talked and laughed. By eleven o’clock, when she slid the gown Rian had designed just for her over her head, she could do nothing but stare at the stranger looking back at her. Alicia and Melanie had done a wonderful job with applying just enough makeup to highlight what they called her natural beauty. Audrey had laughed and told them just to cover any scars they found.
Kyra, Calysta, and Sarah Beth had taken turns taming her waist-length ebony curls. Audrey loved the loose chignon with curly tendrils flowing onto her shoulders they’d been able to fashion. And little violet Bellflowers, Kyra had said Rian specifically requested, were the perfect addition.
She’d just slipped her feet into her slippers when the doorbell rang. Audrey was right behind Melanie as the young witch opened the door to reveal not only her mate, but also Alicia’s.
Liam and Jace wore surcoats the most brilliant royal blue she’d ever seen. It was the exact color of the dragon in the image Rian had projected into her mind so many times. The winged warrior, who was also to be her mate, was the purest of blues she’d ever seen. His scales glittered and shined in the noonday sky. She’d seen glimpses of him in flight as he simply enjoyed the air through his wings.
He’d tipped sideways, making one wing appear higher than the other and giving her a perfect view of the opposing horns that sat above his brow and the spikes running down his spine. His tail looked murderous with its barbs and triple bladed spade at the end. Audrey knew her dragon mate would be as fierce in battle as he was elegant in flight.
In just the right light, she’d seen the depth of emotion glowing in his deep brown eyes. The same eyes she’d fallen in love with so many years ago. It had been right then and there, one of the first times Rian had summoned her, that Audrey had accepted not only the man, but also the dragon into her heart and soul.
