She smiled up at him, noting the way his pupils dilated slightly as she met his gaze. “You look happy.”
Something shifted in his expression then. “I am. For the first time in centuries, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Elder Cameron cleared his throat gently, drawing their attention back to the ceremony. “Before we begin the vows,” he said reverently, “I’d like to offer a traditional clan blessing.”
He raised his hands toward the sky, and Isla felt the air around them shift—not quite magic, but something deeper and older. “May the ancient fires that forged our people burn bright in this union. May the strength of dragon wings shelter this love from all storms. May the bond between these souls endure through all the ages yet to come.”
The words settled over them like a benediction, and Isla felt their truth resonate in her bones. This wasn’t just a wedding—it was a joining that would echo through eternity.
“Now,” Elder Cameron said with a warm smile, “I believe you both have something to say to each other.”
FORTY
ISLA
Damon’s grip on her hand tightened slightly as he turned to face her fully. When he spoke, his voice carried the authority of an Alpha, but underneath it, Isla heard the vulnerable man who’d let her see his scars.
“Isla,” he began, “you came into my world like sunlight breaking through a century of shadows. You saw past the walls I’d built, past the guilt and isolation, and somehow found someone worth saving.” His thumb traced across her knuckles. “I promise to choose you every day—not because fate demands it, but because you are the missing piece of my soul. I will protect you, cherish you, and love you with everything I am until my last breath.”
Tears blurred Isla’s vision as she squeezed his hand. “Damon, you taught me that real love isn’t just a feeling—it’s choosing to build something beautiful together, even when it’s hard. You showed me what it means to be truly seen, truly valued, truly chosen.” Her voice strengthened as she continued, “I promise to stand beside you through whatever comes, to be your anchor when the storms rage, and to remind you every day that you are worthy of joy, of peace, of a love that will never waver.”
Elder Cameron produced two simple gold bands that caught the sunlight like captured fire. “With these rings, you bind not just your hands, but your hearts, your souls, your very essence.”
Damon’s hands were steady as he slipped the band onto Isla’s finger, but she could feel the emotional earthquake happening beneath his calm exterior. When she placed his ring on his finger, his dragon mark on her ribs seemed to pulse with warmth, as if their bond was strengthening with each passing second.
“By the power vested in me by the Everflame clan and the ancient laws that govern our people,” Elder Cameron announced, his voice ringing with joy, “I now pronounce you husband and wife, mates for all eternity.”
Damon didn’t wait for permission. His hands cupped her face with reverent care as he lowered his mouth to hers, and the kiss was pure claiming—tender and fierce, possessive and worshipful all at once. Isla melted into him, her hands fisting in his shirt as she kissed him back with equal fervor.
Around them, their small gathering erupted in cheers and applause, but Isla barely heard it. All that mattered was this moment, this man, this perfect beginning to their forever.
The procession from the beach to Fairy Tales & Tea on the Island felt like floating through a dream. Isla’s silk gown caught the breeze as they walked the stone path toward the main area of the territory, her hand securely tucked into the crook of Damon’s arm. His warmth seeped through the linen of his shirt, grounding her in the reality that this magnificent man—this Alpha dragon—was now her husband.
Harper walked beside them, her practical nature evident in how she kept glancing at Isla’s flowing hem to make sure it didn’t catch on the tropical foliage lining their path. Behind them, Gerri’s coral heels clicked against the stones with satisfiedprecision, while Evelina moved with the grace of a matriarch who had just witnessed her greatest wish come true.
“I still can’t believe we pulled this off,” Harper murmured, her dark eyes sparkling with pride. “A wedding reception in a bookstore? Only you would think of something so perfectly romantic and impractical.”
Isla laughed, the sound bright with joy. “It’s not impractical if it makes everyone happy.”
As they rounded the final curve in the path, Fairy Tales & Tea on the Island came into view, and Isla’s breath caught. The building glowed with warm light spilling from every window, and she could hear the murmur of voices and laughter from within. White silk ribbons and tropical flowers adorned the entrance, transforming her beloved bookstore into something magical.
“Oh my,” Evelina breathed, her emerald eyes bright with tears. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
Gerri moved to open the door with a flourish, her golden eyes twinkling with mischief. “After you, Mrs. Veyr.”
Mrs. Veyr. The name sent a thrill through Isla.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the space erupted in cheers and applause. Dozens of clan members filled the bookstore, their faces radiant with genuine joy. Someone had strung fairy lights between the shelves, and the reading nooks had been transformed into intimate gathering spaces with clusters of chairs and small tables laden with champagne flutes.
“Congratulations!” The voices blended together in a symphony of celebration that made Isla’s eyes well with tears.
These people—her people now—had embraced her completely, welcoming her into their family with open arms and fierce loyalty.
Elder Cameron raised his champagne glass from beside the biography section. “To our Alpha and his mate—may their love be as enduring as the mountains and as fierce as dragon fire!”
The toast echoed through the space as glasses clinked and laughter filled the air. Isla found herself swept into conversation after conversation, accepting congratulations and warm embraces from clan members who treated her like she’d always belonged here.
“You’ve brought such light to our Alpha,” said Maria, one of the healers who had tended to Damon after the attack. “We haven’t seen him smile this much in decades.”
