Page 69 of Demon’s Temptation

“Never have I heard a sweeter sound,” their father rasped as he joined them. “My girls. You look stunning.” His gaze turned wistful, and some of that light dimmed. “Your mother would have been so proud of you both.”

“Thanks, Dad. I wish she was here, too.”

He held his arm out for her. “Shall we?”

“Let’s do this.” Mia gave Chaya a quick hug and, after fixing one of the miniature white roses in her hair, moved behind to straighten the short train of her dove-gray gown. With a nod from her father, the doors were pulled open.

Music started playing, a beautiful piece that Brent had picked out that, even without words, managed to express the way they felt about each other. No one had questioned Brent and Chaya’s decision to have a human wedding ceremony. They couldn’t mate like Zen and Mia or the other knights, and though it was just a piece of paper, it was something they both wanted.

They’d kept it low key, just the knights—in suits, something she still couldn’t believe—and their mates. The people she loved.

She sucked in a breath when she spotted Brent. He looked good enough to eat in his black tux. He’d turned and was watching her as she made her way down the aisle, with so much emotion in his dark eyes that it almost overwhelmed her. When they reached him, her father kissed her cheek and placed her hand in Brent’s. Brent slid his other arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him. The intensity in his gaze broke for a moment, and he smiled, warmth and love all there for everyone to see.

Chaya reached up, cupped the side of his jaw, and brought him down for a kiss, slow and easy.

When she pulled back, he grinned down at her. “Hey, I think we’re supposed to wait till the end of the ceremony for that.”

She grinned back. “Couldn’t do it.”

There were a few chuckles around the room, then the ceremony started. It was quick, simple, and utterly beautiful, and Brent kissed her again when they were pronounced man and wife—but this time there was nothing slow or easy about it.

Everyone came forward to congratulate them, Mia and Zenon joined them last. Her sister hugged them both, tears shimmering in her eyes. “That was beautiful. I’m so happy for you both.”

Zenon looked down at Chaya, expression as fierce as always, but there was something else as well, something softer. “You look beautiful, Chay.”

She nearly fell on her ass. Doing her best to hide her surprise, she smiled up at him. “Thanks. You scrub up pretty good yourself.” She was trying to keep it light but failed miserably when her voice came out husky with emotion. She’d been blinded by fear when she first met Zenon, fooled by the hard exterior. Now she knew what a truly good male he was. She kind of wished she could hug him in that moment, but he didn’t really allow anyone but Mia to touch him.

His expression went from fierce to scary as hell when he turned to Brent. “Do I need to say it?”

Brent looked at his friend, a grin on his handsome face. “What? That you’ll disembowel me with a bread knife if I hurt her?” He shook his head. “No need.”

Zenon shrugged and the corner of his mouth quirked up. Jesus, was that an actual smile? “I had something more creative in mind, but, yeah, that’s the gist of it.”

Brent was suddenly serious. “I’d die before I hurt her again, Zen.”

The massive knight nodded solemnly. “Sounds good to me.”

“Zenon,” Mia admonished, and slapped his arm playfully. He grunted, wrapped his arm around her waist, lifted her, and without a word, carried her like a rag doll toward the exit. “Um…I’ll be right back,” Mia called.

Brent took her hand and led her to a quiet corner, sliding his arms around her waist, pulling her in tight. “Have I told you how beautiful you look, Mrs. Silva?”

“Nope.” She wrapped her arms around his hips and squeezed his butt. “And you look hot as hell in your suit.”

He growled and leaned in, brushed his lips against hers, and rested his forehead against hers.

“You’re mine now,” she said. “There’s no escape.”

His mouth came down on hers again, and he kissed her, giving her everything, conveying all she meant to him as if he’d spoken the words out loud.

“I love you, too,” she whispered when he lifted his head.

He pulled her in closer. “I’ll never get sick of hearing that.”

“Good, ’cause I’ll never stop saying it.”

“Shit, sweetheart.” He sucked in a shaky breath, then a grin turned up those sensual lips. “You keep this up and you’re looking good for employee of the month.”

“I intend on holding that title for the rest of our lives.”