35. Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Tristan's wake was loud and joyful. Everyone had a story about ‘that time when Tristan taught me a lesson' and it only served to underline how important he had been to all of us. He hadn't shirked from a fight, hadn't been bothered by pack politics; he'd been a blunt straight-talker. I would miss him greatly, and I wasn't the only one. My only regret was that it had taken us so long to reach an understanding.

Daniella stood with Marissa, Seren and Elena. She was grieving, too, but in a different way; she was hurting from David's betrayal, as were we all. I didn't have it in me to comfort her just then – and David was still nowhere to be seen.

Ares and Ivy stayed for the wake, although more cynical souls might have assumed that was for the raw burger patties that Finley kept slinging their way. I moved through the crowd, offering touches or words of support where they were needed or sought. Not everyone wanted comfort in the face of loss; sometimes we just need to endure pain alone.

As always I felt like my presence inhibited things, so after an hour I said goodbye to Candice and left. After all, I had a wedding to prepare for.

I jogged up to my bedroom with Greg following me. The dark seraph had agreed to provide security whilst we were distracted and, with his one wing folded behind him, Jacob was manning the security desk.

When I reached my bedroom I stripped off the black dress and shimmied into a pink number that was far more appropriate for a wedding. I paired it with a gorgeous fuchsia fascinator; Mum had taught me that I should always wear a hat to a wedding.

Greg had changed from his black suit into a dark-blue three-piece one. Would our funeral outfits have been appropriate for a wedding? Yes. Did it feel right to wear funeral attire to a wedding? No.

I put on a little more make up. I was just putting the finishing touches to my pink lipstick when Bastion sent me a text message with a link for the video call. I grabbed my laptop and set it up on the coffee table in the lounge so Greg and I could both join in, then turned on all the lights so Jess would see me when she arrived.

I clicked the link, and moments later Bastion's tired face filled the screen. Reynard was pacing behind him, practising the words to the ceremony. I gave him a wave, which he returned half-heartedly before he focused again. He was visibly nervous, bless him.

‘Okay?' Bastion asked me laconically.

I nodded. ‘Yeah. You?'

A ghost of a smile danced across his lips. ‘I've been better.'

‘That's just because you know you're going to have to swallow your pride and go cap in hand to Amber,' I teased.

He grimaced. ‘Not today. Today is all about Jessica Sharp.'

‘And a little bit about me,' an amused voice said from behind him. Bastion moved to the side so that we could see the groom. He looked breathtakingly handsome.

‘Hey, Emory.' I gave him a cheerful wave.

‘Everything okay?' he asked. ‘I know you'd move heaven and earth to be here for Jess. That you're not here says some shit has been going down.'

I grimaced. ‘It has, but try to keep Jess from reaching the same conclusion. I want this day to be perfect for her.'

It was Emory's turn to grimace. ‘Today hasn't exactly been perfect, but we'll make it end that way. '

‘Damn right we will! I'm so happy for you both. You deserve this.'

Emory's sudden grin was youthful and filled with joy. ‘We absolutely do.' He shifted his gaze to Greg. ‘Hey, Manners.' He gave a fake fist-bump to the camera.

‘Hey, man,' Greg replied, fist-bumping him back. ‘I'm happy for you, too.'

‘Thanks. So am I!'

Then the music changed and Emory's mouth dropped open as he stared at a bride I couldn't see. I didn't want to speak and ruin the moment, so I widened my eyes at Bastion and twirled my finger in the air. He caught on quickly and turned the camera so that I could see Jess walk down the aisle. Amber preceded her, but it was my best friend that I focused on.

Jess's dark hair fell in tousled, natural waves. She had bright-purple runes painted onto her hands and arms; they were intricate and beautiful and led perfectly to the bouquet of wild flowers she was clasping. She was wearing the same dress she'd worn to the interrupted wedding – magic, Amber or a platinum credit card had saved the day. If anything, she looked even more beautiful than she had before.

Gato was next to her wearing the amulet around his great head. Jess's hand rested on him as she walked, and the wonder in her eyes told me that it was working. Tears threatened me and I hastily hit the mute button so my sobs wouldn't interrupt the ceremony. Greg passed me a tissue and I carefully dabbed at my eyes.

Jess walked down the aisle at a dignified pace then, with a wicked laugh, she suddenly belted down the rest of it. Emory caught her and swung her round before giving her a long slow kiss.

‘Go Jess!' I yelled.

Jess's head whipped around – and that's when I realised that at some point, Greg had un muted us. Oops!

Emory led her over to us and I couldn't help screaming as I got to see her up close – she looked fan-bloody-tastic! ‘You look amazing!' I gushed. ‘I love those cute flowers in your hair!'

Jess's blue eyes welled with tears. ‘You're here!'

‘Of course I am. Did you think that I'd miss it?' I winked.

‘Thank you both so much for coming,' Jess beamed.

‘Thank goodness for video calls! We didn't have time to drive all the way to you and Emory was selfishly using all of his helicopters – so here we are! Virtually attending.'

‘Thank you so much for virtually attending,' Jess said effusively. ‘And thank you for Gato' s amulet.'

‘We've been working on it for weeks. Now I'm going to shush and cry a lot because Reynard is super-nervous and he's been rehearsing over and over again. Let's put him out of his misery.'

Jess blew me a kiss and returned to the end of the aisle where Emory was waiting for her with a visibly sweating Reynard, who was dressed in suit trousers and shiny leather shoes. His chest was exposed, muscled and proud, and his black wings stretched behind him.

Jess flashed him a wide smile. ‘Thanks for doing this.'

‘It is my honour,' he murmured. In a much louder voice he called, ‘Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Jessica Sharp and Emory Elite.'

I slid a glance at Greg as I linked my fingers through his. I hoped he'd bought more tissues with him because I was about to bawl.

Jess and Emory's second wedding went off without a hitch, but with that and Tristan's funeral, I was emotionally drained, all out of tears and both happy and sad.

Bastion and Shirdal took turns walking around with the laptop so we could chat with the other guests – including a surprise appearance by Elvira. After we'd witnessed the first dance, we signed off to have a dance of our own.

Greg turned off the lights and I sent a zap of fire to the grate, enjoying the way the flames danced in the fireplace. It was nice to use my magic for something other than death and wanton destruction, and I could feel that my fire was happy to be used positively, too. It warmed me from the inside out.

Greg started some music on his phone and held his hand out to me. I took it and together we danced in the darkened room lit only by firelight, swaying, holding each other tightly.

‘You're so beautiful,' Greg murmured to me as he kissed my lips lightly. ‘I'm so grateful that I was nearly killed by a vampyr so that I could be turned into a werewolf to spend my life with you.'

I snorted. ‘That just rolls off the tongue.' I sobered. ‘But me too. If that vampyr was still alive, I'd send him flowers.'

‘Life is strange sometimes. I never thought I'd have someone – I kind of envisioned being Fun Uncle Greg.'

‘ Fun Uncle Greg? When were you going to get to the fun part?' I teased.

‘Cheeky!' He tickled me, making me collapse against him in gales of laughter. His fingers slowed and became teasing instead .

He pressed a firm kiss to my lips. My mouth opened willingly and he took full advantage of my tacit surrender. When he drew back we were both breathing hard. Then he smiled ruefully. ‘I wasn't going to do this now,' he admitted, ‘but I can't wait a minute longer.' He slid to his knees. ‘I know that we've agreed to mate, but I want you more than that. Lucy Alessandro-Barrett, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?'

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a ring box. Opening it, he revealed the most dazzling sapphire ring I'd ever seen. ‘Blue,' he murmured. ‘To match your eyes.'

‘Yes! Oh my God! Yes!' I threw myself at him and we tumbled to the floor.

‘Thank God,' Greg breathed. ‘I asked your dad's permission ages ago, but then the mate stuff really muddied the waters for a while. And then he got cleared and I wasn't sure if he'd remember…'

‘I hear you. Still, we're okay now, aren't we?'

‘Absolutely. I want to be with you, and you want to be with me.'

‘Until death us do part,' I said solemnly.

‘And beyond,' he promised.

I smiled. ‘To infinity and beyond.'

He gave me a flat look. ‘When we tell this story to our children, we're omitting the Toy Story reference.'

Joy leapt up in my chest and in Esme's. Our children.

Yes, she murmured. Please.

I hugged her mentally and then Greg and I started making good on the baby-making thing.