“You could tell when your uncle was under the influence of a demon,” he said, thinking as he spoke, “you said his eyes looked red.”
“Believe me, I’ve been looking for signs.” And I certainly would have noticed that. “The only reason I could see through to you, to know you’re okay, was because of our bond.” And only after I was able to get my demon slayer senses back. “Our connection, what we have, is one of the only things in my life that always comes through.”
If my declaration had touched him, he didn’t show it. Dimitri was either hearts and flowers or all business. Right now he was trying to figure a way out of this. He stood still, working it through, then his intense brown eyes locked on mine. “Maybe you need more power.”
I snorted. “Thanks.” I was already doing everything I could.
He shook me off. “Listen to where I’m going.” He took a step closer. “When we get married tomorrow —”
I met his calm stare. “If we survive that long.”
“—I’ll be giving you a part of my power.”
I knew that. It was how the magical world worked. But griffin power was all about family ties and protection, not demon slaying.
“Wait.” I startled at the realization. “I can gain protective magic to help our families.” Combined with my demon slayer powers, it could buy us time. “But we’re not married yet.”
It was his turn to snort. “That circus in there isn’t our wedding. It has nothing to do with us.” He drew me close. Kissed me once, twice, his lips lingering over mine. His warm breath caressed my skin. “This is us.”
He was right. This was all I needed. I clutched my fingers against his T-shirt, watched them dig in against his firm chest. “What are you saying? You want to get married here and now?”
His mouth tipped into a grin. “I have the ring.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring wrap I’d seen when I’d looked into his mind. It was gorgeous. I ran my finger over the two rough-cut skye stones. “Blessed by the seven clans.”
“I can’t believe you did that for me.”
“Come on,” he said, taking my hand, “I know a place.”
Oh, my God. We were going to get married.
The thrill of it washed over me as we walked down through the trees, away from the gargoyles and the path to the old mansion.
I’d become so used to the dark mass of the house that I hadn’t even noticed it anymore until it lifted. “We’re off the property.”
“Exactly,” he said, as we approached a small building among the trees. “I saw this from the air. It’s an old Spanish mission chapel.”
“It’s tiny,” I said, drawing near. I ran a hand over the curved, pockmarked roof that was barely taller than I was. It had to be a couple of centuries old.
His broad hand touched the chapel near mine. “Missionaries used places like this to store their religious items. And to sleep.”
It was a holy place.
There was a break in the trees here, the sky above us bright with stars.
He leaned closer, drawing me into his arms. “Marry me, Elizabeth Gertrude Brown. Right here, right now. No lion tamer or dancing bears allowed.”
I ran my hands up his arms. “I was kind of hoping for a clown car.”
He shook his head. “You’ve got the biker witches for that.” He lost all trace of humor as he gazed down at me. “Let’s make this about us,” he said simply.
He was serious.
I was, too. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“I should have done it when I first saw this place. I love you, Lizzie. You fill an empty part of me that I didn’t even know I had until I met you.”
I didn’t deserve him. “You’re the most giving, loyal, brave man I’ve ever known.”
He gave a small smile. “It doesn’t mean anything if I can’t share it with you.” He touched my cheek. “I was afraid to love before I met you. It hurt too much after the way I watched my family destroyed. But you helped me live again. You showed me I don’t have to be in control every minute of my life.” His fingers traced my skin. “I can trust.”
“That’s always been so hard for me.” I’d never been a big believer in things I couldn’t see or control. Dimitri had changed that. “You make me feel so safe.” Loved. He grinned, and I did, too. “Thank you for being the person that makes me believe in happy endings.”
Energy prickled along my skin as he opened himself to me. I did the same, showing my love for him with no reservations, no doubt.
“Will you take me, forever and always?” he asked.
“I will.” I held out my hand and he slipped the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, the stones catching the moonlight.
My throat tightened and my heart beat fast when I asked him in turn, “Will you take me? Forever and always?”
His mouth split into a wide smile. “I will.”
The full force of his strength and mine poured from us, merging until we were surrounded by a pure white light. There was never anything more beautiful.
We stood holding each other, complete in the glow of our union. Lovers for life, in control of our destiny. We were the ones who would decide how we lived our lives together.
I felt stronger than I ever had before. Complete. I’d never be alone in this, or in anything else, again. I was home.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was hard for us to drag ourselves back to the house. But with Dimitri by my side all night, even the cursed mansion was bearable. I felt the blending of our powers, and it seemed to lift some of the darkness, for now at least.
We’d escaped into his room to celebrate, and after, I slept better than I had since we’d gotten here.
I woke tangled in his arms, my thigh resting on one of his as he ran his hands along my side. He planted an open-mouthed kiss on my neck before moving lower.
My eyes adjusted to the morning light. If this was what it would be like being married, sign me up for an eternity. The sheets tugged and I moaned out loud as a deliciously hot, wet sensation rasped across my breast. He drew harder, his tongue swirling across my sensitive nipple and I arched my hips.
Mmm… I ran my fingers through his hair. I loved waking up this way. It was sweet and invigorating, and I wanted him. Now.
The head of his cock nudged me where I was most sensitive, then retreated.
“Oh, no. Don’t tease. Come here,” I said, slick and ready. The full, heavy weight of him settled over me as I grasped his shoulders, trying to get him to move up.
He chuckled and rose over me. “My wife is demanding.”
“You love it,” I murmured as he slid deep inside me.
“I do.”
He withdrew and then pushed hard, filling me again.
He made love to me slowly. Perfectly. The things he did to me, the way he knew me, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I came with a shuddering moan, as bliss tore through me. He followed soon after, stiffening and jerking as he joined me.
