Ivy released my neck to smack her other mate’s hand. “Asshole.”
Kingsley grinned as he nuzzled her neck. “Joking. I’m joking. I’m glad we get to move on our own timeline from here on out. No more interference from outside sources. We get to enjoy this for as long aswewant. We get to enjoy everything we want now.”
I could tell Ivy liked that answer a lot. It was another reason her decision the day of the battle had so much impact. The only person in charge of her destiny was her again, and nothing could convince me that wasn’t the right choice. And hell, even I liked the idea of knowing only we could decide what happened next. No interference, no meddling. Just us.
And no one could take that from us again.
9
Damon
There was something perfect about getting to share her asourwife, now. I could tell it pleased our mate very much that we all had a full claim to her—and she, us. For the first time in years, my soul was happy. It beamed with how excited it was for the years to come.
For the first time ever, I did not fear the end. I feared nothing but a life without her.
I moved to where she danced between the charm mage and the wolf. “If I may steal our mate away for a few moments…”
The wolf looked up first, and for a moment, it appeared he was battling his basic instincts to sayno. Of course, with her claim now fresh upon him, his wolf might be a little more possessive than normal. Which I would understand if we weren’t bond mates.
Eventually, though, he kissed her forehead. “You think you got another one in you?”
Ivy looked at me with tired, happy eyes and smiled. I would never get used to that look. Like she was still happy I was here. That she enjoyed my presence as much as I loved hers. Perhaps it was something I’d never get used to, especially because therewere times where I thought this life was a dream. One I didn’t want to escape, but a dream, nonetheless.
Our mate sighed, taking her hand away from the wolf to give to me. “Maybe one more,” she said as I pulled her into my embrace. “But my feet kill.”
“Nothing shadows can’t help you with,” I murmured, summoning the darkness to lift her so she floated.
A smile curved my lips at her groan, the sound far too tempting. “Oh, Goddess, thank you.”
Behind her, the charm mage snorted. “Show off.”
Ivy laughed as she looked over her shoulder. “See if maybe you can convince Maisie to go to bed?”
The mage looked towards the scheming child. She had Greer’s mates wrapped around her little finger, my own cousin included. Onyx was more a distant nephew, but it was more common to refer to blood family—even that far removed—as cousin. At least, it was for me since I had no direct family anymore. My siblings, parents, real cousins were all dead and had passed on years ago.
“We’ll see what we can do,” the wolf replied. “Then maybe we should get you to bed.”
Ivy shook her head, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I think I’ll be good a little longer. We have too many guests.”
“They won’t mind,” I murmured, nuzzling my nose against hers. “But I will not pass up dancing with you. Since we did not get the chance at our own wedding.”
Both the wolf and the charm mage disappeared, heading for the little girl who most definitely wouldn’t go down easily. The others remained at the table where we’d eaten dinner—a place where a lot of time was spent outdoors. Our mate was fond of the courtyard, and with it decorated with shimmering lights and flowers, it was easy to see why.
“Can I tell you the truth?” Ivy asked quietly.
I looked down at my mate, taking in the soft, rosy flush of her cheeks, feeling the heavy swell of her stomach against my own—and the shifting twins within. One kicked at her, which I felt gently. It was still such an amazing feeling. Another thing I would never get used to.
“Of course, wife,” I murmured, using the shadows to twirl us across the makeshift dance floor. “Anything.”
Her eyes found mine, sparkling under the twinkling lights. “I like this wedding more.”
My heart warmed as I chuckled. “I suppose it being more intimate is much nicer.”
“There’s that,” she hummed, leaning her forehead on my chest. “But I like marrying you knowing therealyou.”
Again, my chest warmed, heating impossibly with how…happy I was. There was no other way to describe the feeling. “I love you,” I murmured, pressing my lips to the top of her head. “You’ve no idea how much.”
“I do,” she breathed, her voice muffled by my shirt. “I feel it now, through our bond.”
