Epilogue

The Perfect Union

Rai

I t had been a year since Azazel and I had formed our found family and I'd never been happier. Monique was in school and adjusting well, and her grades were picking up. We did get her a tutor to help her along the way. She was seventeen now and the boys were sniffing around, but I think they knew not to mess with our girl. She had two powerful and protective dads.

As for Azazel and me, well, it was our wedding day!

"So, will it just be you and Terri who'll come to the wedding?" I asked as I adjusted my tie in the mirror.

Darius stood up behind me and took over my tie and began to do it correctly. "The other Guardians haven't quite reconciled that you're in love with a demon."

I snorted. "So, they're boycotting my wedding?"

Darius snorted. "Some are, some are busy. There's only six of us still living."

Considering how rigid those other Guardians were, I started to understand why they had not reached the level Darius and I had with our Champions. Well, I didn't need them at my wedding anyway. It was a small affair, only the people I loved and cared about were invited.

I turned around to face Darius. "How do I look?"

Darius looked at me and smiled. "Happy." He patted my shoulder. "I'm sorry that your parents can't be here."

I gave him a sad smile and nodded. They didn't remember me, so it wouldn't make sense for them to be there. "It's okay. I've had plenty of time to get used to the fact that they can't be in my life."

Darius nodded. "You're the second Guardian to marry your Champion." He winked.

I smiled, because he had married Michael two hundred years ago in a private ceremony only attended by both grooms, The Archangel, Raguel, who would have been mine, had done the officiating. So, no one but those three knew about it. Well... Now Azazel and I knew.

"Are you ready? It's time," my best man, Marcel, asked. He was wearing a suit, nothing too fancy, just a shirt, pants, tie and jacket. But he looked damn good. "You look great."

"Thanks," I said. To think, I'd almost lost him a year ago. The thought still stabbed my heart. Thank God Azazel and I had the power to bring him back.

"So, are you ready?" he asked again.

"To marry a grumpy demon, yes." I laughed and Darius and Marcel chuckled.

"And one who loves you," Darius said.

"And I love him," I said.

"So, where are you two going after the wedding?" Darius asked.

"Azazel said he'd take me wherever I wanted to go. I'm thinking of Japan. Always wanted to go there," I said.

"You'll love it," Darius said.

"I'll watch over Monique and call you if need be," Marcel said.

"Thanks, buddy." I hugged Marcel.

"I'll see you out there," Darius said.

I nodded and watched as Darius walked out of my bedroom to the living room where it had been rearranged a little to make room for our wedding. As much as I wanted to have it at the Guild, Azazel could only enter if we were bonded and Monique couldn't enter at all. Azazel refused to get married at a church even though he could enter them. He just didn't agree with organized religion and wanted no part of it. The vows we'd say were written by us and Darius had convinced the Archangel, Michael, to officiate.

To be honest, a wedding couldn't get more blessed than that.

Darius took a seat beside Terri and her Archangel, Jeremiel, was sitting beside her. Like all Archangels he was handsome and I wondered why those two didn't hit it off the way Darius and Michael did. Not my business, therefore, I never asked. So, my wedding had two Archangels in attendance. I was a little nervous because Azazel still butted heads with them even though we were considered legends after having killed Satan. At least both Azazel and I got a lot more respect among not only the celestial beings and the Guild, but also the demons. Didn't mean demons didn't test me, they did and I handled my business... or I let Azazel have some fun. But demons knew I was no longer a novice Guardian, not with Azazel's ancient wisdom and skills guiding me.

I couldn't wait to make that demon mine officially.

"I can't believe you're having a real freaking Archangel marry you and Michael no less! I'm so excited to meet him," Marcel said.

"I know, right? I had tried so hard to keep him at bay," I said, thinking about all of the times I had lied to myself trying to claim that I didn't want Azazel, that I didn't love him. What a waste that had been, all six months of it.

"Well, the best thing about your relationship is that you're always together. He doesn't have to leave this plane ever," Marcel said.

I smiled because I loved that. I'd hate if he was like the other Champions and had to return to Heaven. Or in his case, Hades. Nope, he was free from all of that tethering. "Let's go," I said when I saw the other bedroom door open and Monique walked out wearing a lovely pale pink dress with lace. Her hair was done up in curls and she wore just the right amont of make-up. She looked beautiful.

"Game time," Marcel said and he mimicked Monique as they both walked into the living room to stand at the archway that had been set up with red roses vining their way through the latticework. There was a fluffy, white rug in front of it where we were supposed to stand. Monique was Azazel's Best Young Lady for the honors.

My mouth dropped open when I saw Azazel emerge from the bedroom looking sinfully tempting and incredibly gorgeous in a black tux with a black shirt, red tie, and ruby brooch pinned on his lapel. A part of me wanted to bring him back to our bedroom, lock the door, and say to hell with the guests. I could control myself… I think. I met him at the archway and smiled up at my beautiful soon-to-be husband.

"You look extremely handsome," Azazel complimented.

I smiled. "You too. I mean, you look so damn good."

I heard a scoff from Jeremiel and a chuckle from Darius, but I ignored them. Darius called Michael and the Archangel appeared in front of him. He looked down at Darius with pure love in his expression. The two shared a kiss, then he took his place under the archway. He looked at me, then at Azazel.

"It's only because you have proven to be a worthy Champion that I agreed to officiate your wedding," Michael said. He was wearing an all-white tux.

Azazel smiled and before I could stop him, he did what he does. Talked shit.

"No one can doubt how big your balls are to be so daring." Azazel's gaze panned down at Michael's crotch, then back up so that their eyes locked. "Figuratively speaking, of course."

Michael did not look amused.

"Azazel, baby, it's our wedding day," I reminded him as my way of telling him to behave.

He gave me a boyish smile and I instantly forgave him. That demon made me weak.

"Let us begin," Michael said with only a little attitude in his tone.

I went first with my vows, taking Azazel's hands into my own. "Azazel, I love you, plain and simple. I want to spend eternity with you. I want to share my life and everything I love with you. You know I'm not much for words, I use my actions. So please know that I will forever cherish and love you for all time."

Azazel smiled, now it was his turn. "Rai, when I was first branded with the Angel's Kiss, I thought I'd been cursed to suffer human feelings forever. I thought I'd have nothing to live for after I'd been abandoned by my Empress. I raged, I fell into depression, and then I saw your photo. An innocent boy who'd need me one day. I started to want to be your partner, Rai. I think I fell in love with the idea of you. Of someone who was made by God for me. What greater gift could anyone receive?"

"Oh my God," I gushed. Wow, Azazel had me at a loss for words. I could only grin from ear to ear.

"Rai, I promise to always love you, protect you, and share everything with you. I promise never to lie to you, never to deny you what you need and want. I promise to give everything I am, everything I have, to you."

"How the fuck did a demon come up with better vows than you?" Marcel taunted in my ear.

I shoved him away with my shoulder and he chuckled. Still, it was true. Azazel was poetic with his vows and I didn't think I could love him any more than I already had, but I did.

"That was surprisingly heartfelt coming from a demon," Michael said.

I squeezed Azazel's hands to make sure he didn't ruin the mood with a comeback. He winked at me and I nodded.

"With the celestial power vested in me, I now pronounce you married. You may now kiss to seal this unification," Michael said.

I grabbed the back of Azazel's head, bringing him down to me, and kissed him for all I was worth. Monique and Marcel cheered, then threw flower petals at us. Terri and Darius clapped as they smiled.

"Congratulations," Michael said, then he walked over to Darius and the two kissed.

I hugged everyone who came, Azazel simply shook hands, but he did hug Monique and Marcel. This was the best day of my life. We were going to eat, dance, sing, and later... well later, I was going to have my way with my naughty, sexy demon on our honeymoon in Japan.

The End