“And I don’t like fur on my sheets,” Taylorshot right back. I could see the hurt in her eyes but she wasn’tabout to let the big bastard of a werewolf get the better of her. Isqueezed her hand again.
“Good for you,” I whispered.
She gave me a quick glance and tried tosmile but I could tell how much effort it was costing her. She wasupset and who could blame her? Basically, she was being forced tomarry a man she didn’t know—a man who was the sworn enemy of herown people, if you could call vampires her people, that was.
“I’m glad we’re all in agreement.” Corbinclapped his hands. “Very well, let’s adjourn to the back room forthe ceremony. I will be officiating.”
I look at him in surprise. “You’re anordained minister? Of what church?”
“The vampire religion is nondenominational.Basically I am empowered to conduct binding ceremonies betweenthose of my kind and, well…whoever they wish to be bound to.”
I was pretty certain that Taylor and Victorhad no wish to be bound together but Corbin wasn’t giving them muchof a choice. And since Roderick was on his way, it really did looklike the only option.
With a sigh, I put my arm around Taylor’swaist and we left the office together.
Chapter Fifteen
“If I would have known I was going to beyour maid of honor I would have worn something besides black,” Iwhispered as we walked up the aisle—actually just the center of thesmall room near the back of the club, which was usually rented outfor corporate functions.
“That’s all right—it’s not like it’s forreal,” Taylor whispered back, clearly trying to be brave. “I mean,is it?”
“No, of course not. Not really,” I assuredher uneasily as we paced slowly forward.
Corbin had been thoughtful enough to havethe room decorated with white lilies and blood red roses. There waseven a small altar at the front with a padded bench, presumablywhere the bride and groom would kneel across from each other.Corbin stood beside the altar, waiting patiently and holding alarge, ornately carved golden chalice in his hands. The softstrains of Pachelbel’s Canon piped in through the hidden speakerscompleted the wedding feel of the place.
“At least the room looks nice even if Iam dressed in black,” I said, trying to comfort her. “Andyou look beautiful.”
“Fat lot of good it does me,” she mutteredback. “Marrying a guy who already hates me.”
“He’ll love you when he gets to know you,” Isaid. “And if he doesn’t, screw him. You’ll be out of it in threemonths.”
“Three months. Right.” She sighed unhappily.We were almost to the end of the aisle where Corbin and Victor werewaiting. The were had put on a black suit coat, probably loaned tohim by Corbin, which was stretched tight across his massiveshoulders, and he was glaring at poor Taylor.
“Stop looking at her that way,” I snapped athim. “She’s beautiful and perfect and you’re lucky to get her.Besides, she’s saving you fifty thousand dollars, you ungratefulbastard.”
“Addison…” Corbin gave me a warning look.“Here at the altar of unity only words of love and devotion may bespoken.”
“Fine,” I muttered. Giving Taylor’s arm onelast squeeze, I stood back. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right.” She gave me a gratefullook and then turned to face Corbin. “I am ready, Master.”
“Very well.” He nodded and cleared histhroat. “We are gathered here tonight to join this male and femaleand give them in ownership one to another. If anyone can show justcause why this should not be so, speak now or forever hold yourpeace.”
He gave me a stern glance and I bit theinside of my cheek. I had plenty of reasons why my poor friendshouldn’t be handed over like chattel to a rude, ungratefulwerewolf but it was the only way to save her.
I kept silent.
“Good,” Corbin said after a pause. He lookedpleased. “Will the two of you kneel before me now and joinhands?”
Taylor knelt at once side of the paddedalter and Victor knelt opposite her. He was so much bigger than herthat even kneeling, he towered over my friend. Then they justlooked at each other.
“And join hands,” Corbin repeated,frowning.
There was an awkward pause and then Victorheld out his hands stiffly. With a deep breath, Taylor tookthem.
I saw a shiver run through her as theirhands met and clasped, causing my heart to go out to her. Poorthing, after what Roderick had done to her, it was probably painfulto even touch a man—any man—let alone the big, hulkingwerewolf.
“Very good,” Corbin said. “Now Victor,repeat after me: I, Victor, do swear to take you, Taylor for myown. To defend you from any who wish you harm, to nourish you bothbody and soul, and to cherish you above all others for as long asour union shall last.”
Victor looked rather uncomfortable but herepeated the words, only stumbling a little over the “cherish” partof the ceremony. Then it was Taylor’s turn to repeat the vows,which she did, looking Victor in the eyes the whole time althoughshe was as pale as a sheet of paper.
Corbin turned back to Victor once more. “Doyou, Victor, take Taylor as your spouse? Do you swear to honor andtreasure her and to never raise a hand to her in anger? Do youpromise to never beat or abuse her sexually, physically, oremotionally?”
He nodded briefly. “I do.”
Corbin turned to Taylor and repeated thevows, minus the sexual or physical abuse part. I guess he figuredhe didn’t have to worry about Taylor beating or raping the hugewere, though vamps are as strong as weres and often stronger. Butlooking at my best friend and her huge new husband, I was prettysure he would have the upper hand in any physical confrontationthey got into. Not that there had better be any confrontationsafter the oath Corbin had made him swear.
So far it had been a surprisingly humanwedding ceremony. I was just thinking that it could almost havebeen lifted from any church in town, when Corbin raised the chalicehe was holding.
“And now we must bind the two
