I grinned in excitement.
Luka was informing the elder vampire council of his intent to marry me today, but onlyafterour hearing with the Magical Creatures Council. Cassara’s parents had filed a complaint with the Magical Creature Council. Now Luka needed to prove he’d killed his wife, the vampire queen, with good reason.
“I’m nervous to meet the memory witch. Does it hurt?” I asked Demi. Luka had told me that the council had a witch who could play your memories out for everyone to see and that’s how they prosecuted crimes. I was a witness in Cassara’s murder investigation, so my memory testimony would be heard. Luka had told me that Demi had previously been through the process and I was curious to hear her thoughts.
“Not physically.” A darkness passed over her face, and I knew there was a story there, but she’d share it when and if she was ready.
Nerves started to tighten my gut. “You think they’ll put him back in prison?”
“They can’t. He’s immune from crimes at this point, but theycouldtake his crown and then charge him if they wanted to work around the law. I don’t think they will though. Luka said it was all by the book.”
That was true, hehadstated Cassara was guilty of treason before he killed her, but I was still nervous.
“So wedding in three days?” Liv changed the subject, which I was grateful for. I wanted to focus on the positive.
I grinned. “Luka doesn’t want to wait.” I was sure some of that had to do with me pledging to be a virgin until marriage, and him needing a wife to remain king. Either way, I didn’t care, commitment was never my problem. I loved Luka and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.
“What if the council says you can’t be his wife because you’re not a vamp?” Sage asked, and then hissed as Demi stomped on her foot.
“Sorry,” Sage offered.
“No, it’s okay … we marry in three days, no matter what the council says.” I tipped my chin up proudly.
Demi smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I knew she was happy for Luka and I, but also probably worried for the alliance if Luka was unseated as king.
Not to mention the issue we’d have of Ruby and her people staying here if Luka lost his crown. She’d called and said she’d hit a delay, but that she and the House of Thorns would be here tomorrow.
There was a knock at the door and I jumped up, crossing the room quickly. Luka stood there in a crisp black suit, looking as handsome as ever. “Oh crap, should I dress up for this or something?” I looked down at my jean shorts and tank-top with ass-kicker boots.
Luka stepped forward, reaching out to grasp the back of my neck, and pulled my lips to his. Warmth spread throughout my limbs and I grinned.
“I love that I can kiss you whenever I want now,” he purred in my ear. “You look beautiful. No need to dress up.”
I swallowed hard, looking behind me to see my three friends giggling and grinning ear to ear.
“Be back soon!” I said nervously, and waved them off.
Luka led me out the door, and it closed behind us. “I was thinking, when we get married and you move into the main castle with me, maybe your mom and sister could take over the guest house permanently.”
I stopped, looking over at him with tears in my eyes. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “If they want. Ifyouwant.”
I bobbed my head up and down eagerly. “I want.”
A grin tugged at his lips and he pulled something from his pocket. Grasping my left hand, he slipped something onto my ring finger and I grinned. I gasped when I saw the pear-shaped red ruby. “It matches your hair.” He winked.
A red ring. It was so fitting for me. I wasn’t like other girls, I didn’t want that white diamond princess cut stuff. This was … perfect.
“I love it.” Stepping onto my tip toes, I pressed a kiss to his cheek.
Holy crap, I was engaged to be married! It was everything I’d wanted. Commitment, a lifelong promise, devotion. I never in a million years thought Luka would be the one to give it to me. I was glad it was him. He’d changed my entire way of thinking.
“Anything I should know about the Magical Creature Council? About the truth witch lady?” We continued our walk to the main castle.
He nodded. “She will see everything. You can’t hide anything from her, so don’t bother trying to lie.”
Okay. I wasn’t going to, but good to have a warning about that. Before I knew it, we were entering the castle. The guards all bowed low to Luka, which was incredibly weird—and also a little sexy that my man had so much power.
