Chapter Seven

My heart soared in my chest as I kissed Nadine. I felt like I was flying a mile above the ceremony. She was my wife now, and despite everything that nearly tore us apart up until this point, we had made it.

I finally drew away from Nadine, though I didn't want to. "I can't believe we're married."

I had to say it out loud again, because it didn't quite feel real. This had to be a dream, because it was already the best night of my life.

"We are, so you better start believing it," Nadine joked.

Grant cupped his hands around his mouth. "Let's get this party started!"

Everyone cheered, and we danced happily as we made our way back through the trees to the house. Nadine and I led the way, and the others followed. Witch lights floated above the patio like twinkling Christmas lights, and a feast surrounded by candles had been set out on a long table. In the center of the table, a punch bowl had been enchanted to spray upward like a fountain. Nearby, a self-serve cocktail bar had been set up. Grant had made a poster that said Pick Your Poison with various mixed drink suggestions he'd made up himself.

There was also a table for gifts and another for cake. Nadine and I had opted for a multi-layer cake—one layer pumpkin spice, and the second layer apple cider. The cake was violet, with dark purple roses set into the frosting. Talia placed The Chariot card on top of the cake, which served as our wedding topper. After tonight, we would frame the card to hang in our home someday.

Everyone had worked really hard to make this night perfect. It was everything I imagined—except for one table set near the cake that I didn't recognize. It held a large poster with all kinds of photos, and various items scattered across the tabletop.

I shot Nadine a glance. "What's this?"

"I wanted to surprise you," she said as we approached the table. "It's everything of ours that I kept."

We stopped beside the table, and I could finally make it all out. My jaw dropped as I took it all in. There were tons of photos of us and our friends. In one of them, Nadine and I were slow dancing at the Midnight Formal, and in another, we were twirling around the bonfire at the Halloween festival. There were photos of us playing games in her dorm room the night before the kidney transplant, and a picture of us with Grant and Talia after we won The Haunted Tournament at school my sophomore year. I laughed, remembering how we'd signed up for the magical competition out of pure spite and ended up winning the challenge against upperclassmen.

Photographs weren't the only thing tacked to the board. There was also a ticket from The Hearse dated for Valentine's Day over a year ago, along with a voided massage gift certificate I'd given Nadine that night. Next to that sat another gift certificate we received after Nadine and I had solved a mock mystery at a haunted mansion last Halloween. I also noticed a flier for corn mazes at Blossom Orchards that Nadine must've picked up when we went. I reached out to touch our medical bracelets that she'd saved from the transplant.

"I had no idea you'd kept all this," I said.

Nadine placed the Wedding Wand on the table with the other items, as if adding it to her collection. "I keep all my memories of you. They're the best ones."

I smiled wider. "They are, and tonight is one for the books."

"Look here!" Talia called.

We turned, and a flash went off in our faces. Talia snapped a few photos, then said, "We need to get everyone in. Come on!"

Talia set the camera on a tripod, and we all gathered around to take a few pictures.

"Everyone say cheese!" Talia cried.

I was too happy to be serious, so as the timer was counting down, I grabbed Nadine and swept her into my arms. Nadine wrapped her arms around my neck, and laughter rang around us as the flash went off.

Nadine didn't let go of me even when I set her down. She pulled me into a tight hug and whispered, "I haven't been this happy in a long time."

I kissed the side of her head. "I haven't been this happy ever."

We all gathered around the table and took our seats. The food smelled divine. Helena's famous brisket had been set on platters in front of us, along with homemade dinner rolls, veggies from the garden, applesauce Nadine and I helped make, and various salads that looked delicious. Mugs of hot apple cider steamed in front of our plates.

We chatted and laughed as we ate. I noticed Nadine kept her eyes on Isa, who was eating with the other cats nearby. She looked thoughtful.

"Something on your mind?" I asked lowly. Everyone else was talking and didn't hear us.

She turned her gaze to me. "I'm trying to understand. Isa is my mom reincarnated, but my mom's spirit still showed up at our ceremony. It's the same with Eric and Oliver. How can they exist in two forms at once?"

"The concept of souls can be complicated. I'm not sure I entirely understand the mechanics myself," I admitted. "From what I know, when a soul reincarnates, that soul energy brings about new life, but a piece of it stays behind in Alora. So even though you're born to experience new things, there's a version of you that still remembers your past life, imprinted as a sort of memory. She is Isa in this lifetime, but she's also still your mom, in the afterlife."

"Could I ever summon her and speak to her, as the mother I remember?" Nadine asked.

"In theory, when you die you'll be able to speak with her, but it's hard enough as it is to speak to crossed spirits, and even harder when they reincarnate," I explained. "Her soul energy is here now in Isa, so if you were to summon her, you'd be speaking more closely to Isa's energy."

"What about my father?" Nadine wondered. "He wasn't Miriamic, but he showed up at our ceremony."

"Regardless of someone's religion, their spirit still exists in the afterlife," I told her. "People can change religions once they get there, too. It's possible your father is living in Alora, if he chose to do so. He could reincarnate as a witch or warlock in his next life—that's up to him. As long as he chose to participate in the wedding ceremony, he showed up because you invited him to be there."

She sipped on her apple cider. "I'm glad my parents got to be there, even if it was only for a moment."

The sound of silverware tinkling against glasses rang throughout the reception, distracting us.

"Kiss!" Miles cheered.

Nadine and I smiled, and I pulled her into a deep kiss.

Grant cleared his throat next to me and stood. "Now that we have everyone's attention, I'd like to say a few words. I've been thinking for a long time about what I would like to say in this speech. I know if Lucas was the one giving this speech, he'd find all the right words to say—maybe write a poem or two. So I thought I'd try my hand at it and keep it short and sweet."

Grant pulled a piece of paper from his coat pocket and began reading.

Nadine and Lucas, what can I say?

It's finally here—your wedding day.

I've seen you together through dark and through light,

and I'm honored to be here on this special night.

You've been through it all.

Through the highs and the lows.

Honestly, it seemed forever

Until Lucas proposed.

He's crazy about you, Nadine.

I won't lie.

I've never seen a man

As madly in love as this guy.

Nadine won't admit,

But she's wild, too,

About one guy named Lucas.

I swear that it's true.

Our friendship is special,

But what's even more,

I haven't seen a love like yours

Ever before.

There are rings on your fingers

Our tummies are fed.

All I have left to say is:

Cheers to the newlyweds.

Everyone clapped and took a drink. Grant looked nervous as he sat back down, and I placed a hand on his shoulder. "That was great."

Grant adjusted his tie. "Was it really?"

"Absolutely. The greatest best man speech ever," I said honestly. He'd stumbled a few times, and the lines didn't always have a smooth cadence, but he'd put in a lot of effort, and that's what mattered.

Talia stood next. "I guess that means it's my turn. I'm not very good at this, so I thought instead of a speech, I'd play you a song."

Talia took a seat at a keyboard that had been set up on the patio, and she started playing a beautiful tune she had written herself. The witch lights above us twinkled in time with the soft melody. The song was beautiful, and Talia had obviously put a lot of thought into it. It was clear she really admired our relationship. Nadine had tears rolling down her cheeks by the end of it.

Soon, we were ushered to the cake table to cut the cake. Nadine and I had promised not to shove the cake in each other's faces, and we held true on that promise. Flavors burst across my tongue when Nadine placed the cake in my mouth, and I realized she'd made the perfect choice with pumpkin spice.

Miles put on some music, and we all started dancing in the grass. I held Nadine the whole time through fast and slow songs as the celebration continued around us.

An upbeat tune came on. Onyx, Chloe, Miles, Grant, and Talia broke out into a coordinated dance routine they'd practiced to surprise us with. Nadine and I hollered in celebration. Even Professor Warren hit the dancefloor, and I was surprised to see he actually had some moves.

We must've been dancing for over an hour before Nadine and I sat back down to rest. She beamed from ear to ear before popping an olive in her mouth. "Our friends are the best."

"You're the best." I drew her closer, pulling her into my lap. I nuzzled my nose into her neck, inhaling her captivating floral scent. I wanted to take in every sensation this night had to offer, because I didn't want to forget a single moment.

Nadine laughed as I tickled her with my breath. "Are you drunk?"

"Drunk on you," I teased. "I've only had one drink, and that was during dinner."

Nadine turned until she could take my face in her hands. "Mm… I could get used to this happy, carefree Lucas."

My fingers trailed across the beads of her dress. "You're enjoying it?"

"Very much." She leaned in to place a kiss on my lips, and excitement stirred in my chest.

"You should enjoy me more," I teased when she drew away. I placed a hand on the side of her face to draw her back to me. Nadine's tongue slid inside my mouth, and my dick hardened.

"You're going to have to get this dress off me first," she whispered.

Fervent yearning for her ignited throughout my body. I threw a glance at the others dancing in the yard. Our cats were gathered near them, looking to be having the time of their lives. "I bet no one will notice if we slip away for a second."

"Only a second?" Nadine joked. "I thought it'd take longer than that."

I pretended to think about it. "All right, eleven seconds. We'll make it a quickie. Our guests will hardly notice us gone."

Nadine snickered. "If you're serious, so am I."

"Hell yeah, I'm serious. It's our party."

Eagerly, Nadine hopped off my lap and took my hand. Talia and Grant noticed us heading for the door, and I caught Grant's eyes just in time to see his eyebrows shoot up. I winked, and Nadine made a crude gesture to Talia. Talia burst into laughter.

Nadine covered her mouth to laugh. "Now everyone's going to know what we're up to."

I shrugged. "Let them. We're married now. We're allowed to do whatever we want."

Nadine reached for the door, but I stopped her.

"Allow me." I swooped her up into my arms and carried her through the doorway. "It's tradition. Brides are considered vulnerable on their wedding night, because unity in any form—including marriage—makes the coven stronger. It's a threat to evil spirits. It's said that evil spirits lurk at the threshold of the home and can influence the bride through the soles of her feet."

"So that's why you have to carry me over the threshold. I never understood that tradition."

I held her close. "You're safe now with me."

She laid her head on my shoulder. "I've always felt safe with you."

I carried Nadine up the stairs and into the bedroom. We could still hear the music from outside. It seemed no one was at all bothered that we ditched our own party.

I set Nadine on the bed, but her veil got caught underneath her. She stood. I helped her unpin it from her hair, then gently set the veil aside. Nadine turned her back to me, and I worked on unbuttoning her dress. My trembling fingers moved slowly, drawing out the anticipation, even though my hammering heart wanted her now. There wasn't a single part of me that didn't ache for her—mind, body, and soul.

The dress fell from her shoulders, and I was surprised to see she was wearing white lace lingerie underneath. My gaze roamed up and down her body.

"Damn, wifey, you look good," I said, enjoying the way the word wifey felt on my tongue.

"You like it?" She turned one way then the other to model it for me.

"I like it a lot." My dick was rock hard and ready for her. I could hardly get her body against mine fast enough. I looped my hand around her waist, and our bodies crashed together as our lips collided.

Nadine couldn't contain her desperation. She yanked on my tie to draw me closer, and wanting flared through my veins as she made her desire very clear. She clung tightly to me as her tongue slid inside my mouth. I cupped her ass and lifted her, until her legs locked around my middle. I took a few steps, until her ass hit the top of the vanity. Contents crashed to the floor, but we barely noticed. Her hands tangled in my hair, while mine ran up and down her curves, down her legs, and back up to her breasts.

The urgent need to be inside of her called to me, and I forced myself to pull away from her. Nadine leaned back on the vanity, her legs parted and waiting for me. Infatuation filled her eyes as she watched me kick off my shoes and strip down.

I slipped on a condom, then resituated her on the vanity to make sure she wouldn't slip off. Slowly, I ran my hands over Nadine's body, and I trailed kisses down her neck. She shivered under my touch, until she began fisting her hands in my hair. She didn't have to say a word to tell me she wanted more. I dipped my hands between her legs, and the warmth of her arousal was welcoming.

"I've been waiting for this all day," she whispered breathlessly.

Hell, so had I. I moved her lace panties aside and slid my cock inside of her. Nadine gasped as our bodies moved in sync. I worked slowly at first, making love to her in a calculated, deliberate fashion. Nadine looked downward, watching my cock pleasure her. I observed the craving in her features grow, until something inside of her snapped.

She grabbed my hair and yanked on the strands, begging me for more. I couldn't help myself. I thrust my hips upward, burying myself deeper inside of her. Waves of pleasure surged up and down my body, and the passionate moans escaping her lips sent my head reeling. I needed her closer to me—as close as we could possibly get.

I grabbed her ass and lifted her from the vanity. Her legs wrapped around me in desperate wanting. I held her leg with one hand and wrapped the other around the back of her head, keeping her lips on mine as I took a few steps across the room. I pinned her against the wall, and my knees nearly buckled beneath me as intense desire swelled between us. It took everything in me to keep us both upright. I thrust upward over and over again with a blazing passion that couldn't be rivaled by any sex we'd had before.

She was my wife now, and nothing was hotter than that.

"Lucas!" Nadine gasped as she clung to me harder.

Her cry nearly undid me. I pulled her away from the wall, and this time, I did fall to my knees, as if I were a subject bowing to his goddess.

Gently, I laid her on the floor, but Nadine had other ideas. She grabbed me and rolled me over, then gently slid down onto my erection. I beamed as she rode me hard, every movement she made sending another thrill through my dick. The floorboards squeaked as she rolled her hips over me faster and faster. I couldn't help but grab her hips and bury myself deeper inside of her—inside my wife.

That thought sent me over the edge. Magical tingles spread over my skin, until the glorious sensation exploded. I thrust upward as I reached my peak, and Nadine gasped as she came with me. Together, it felt as if we had become one with the cosmos itself, reaching a place where time and space held no meaning. I could feel her as if we had become one… until the matter that made up our bodies slowly knitted itself back together again.

The moment seemed to stretch for several wonderful minutes, but it must've only been seconds. I had never imagined that making love to Nadine for the first time as a married couple could be this incredible.

Nadine collapsed onto the floor beside me, panting to catch her breath. I took her in my arms. Light shone from behind my lids, and I opened my eyes to see witch lights dancing above us. Tiny little orbs swirled around us like a kaleidoscope.

"Was that me, or you?" Nadine asked, looking up at the magical lights that twinkled like stars.

"I think it was both of us."

Nadine snuggled into me. "I like being your wife."

I let out a blissful sigh. "I love being your husband."

"Those are beautiful words—wife and husband," Nadine said dreamily. "I want to marry you all over again already."

"The night isn't over," I reminded her.

"That's right. We should probably get back to the party," she said.

I kissed the top of her head. "I suppose we should."

We cleaned up, and I put my suit back on. I helped Nadine back into her wedding dress before we left the room.

Nadine paused at the top of the stairs. "That's weird. The music stopped."

I hadn't noticed until now, because we'd been so wrapped up in each other. Now that I noticed the silence, it was very eerie.

We quickly hurried down the stairs. Through the glass door, we could see our friends sitting around the table. They looked to be talking in hushed whispers. I caught sight of concern etched on Chloe's face.

The moment we stepped out onto the patio, their entire demeanor changed. "Who's ready for another round of shots?" Miles asked loudly, before grabbing a drink from the cocktail bar.

Everyone cheered, but Onyx threw a worried look our way. They were trying to act like everything was fine, but Nadine and I could both sense something was up. Isa and Oliver circled our feet, like they were trying to tell us something.

Nadine looked around. "Where's Grammy? And Verla, and Professor Warren?"

"They, uh, went to get ice," Miles lied.

Everything went dead silent, and a shiver traveled down my spine.

"Tell us the truth," I demanded, feeling panic rising in my throat. Something wasn't right.

"Everything's fine." Talia rose from her chair and bounced over to us. "We took a break, and now we're ready to get back to dancing!"

Nadine placed her hands on her hips. "You all are terrible liars. Where. Is. Grammy?"

Onyx sighed. "We have to tell them—wedding or not."

Chloe turned to us. "We don't want you to worry. But Professor Warren was doing a routine perimeter check, and he spotted Executors not far from here."

"Executors!" I shouted. "How did they find us? They've never come this close to the safe house."

"We're not sure they have found us, or if they're just scouting the area," Chloe said. "They weren't headed straight for us, but if they reach the wards, they'll know we're here. Helena, Verla, and Warren went to deal with them before they could get close enough to discover us."

"How many Executors?" Nadine asked.

"Warren saw five," Chloe said.

Nadine started around the side of the house, and the rest of us followed. We had a high vantage point up here on the mountain, but it was difficult to see anything through the trees—let alone in the dark of night.

"Nadine!" Chloe called after her. "They told us to stay!"

She whirled toward Chloe. "We're stronger together! I'm not letting my grandmother—or anyone else I love—face our enemy alone."

"They're not alone," Grant said. "Helena, Verla, and Warren have each other. They didn't want us getting involved."

"There's three of them and five Executors," Nadine cried. "They're outnumbered, and we need to help."

"It's your wedding night, and we're not letting some stupid Executors ruin it," Chloe said. "If you want to send someone after them, let us go. You two shouldn't have to deal with this tonight."

"I'm not going to stand here when my grandmother is in trouble," Nadine argued. "Where are they?"

Talia pointed across the landscape, not far from the border of our ward. "Warren spotted the Executors on that outcropping of rock."

The Executors were gone now, and Nadine frantically searched the landscape. "There!" she cried, pointing to a dim light through the trees. It was close to the border of our ward. That had to be Helena, Verla, and Warren. They were using witch lights to guide themselves through the darkness. I spotted another cluster of lights moving through the trees, guiding the Executors up the mountain.

"The Executors can't see them from that distance. Your grandma will turn her light off when they reach the border." I tried to assure Nadine, though I couldn't be sure. "The Executors won't know they're coming."

Nadine held her breath as her grandmother's light faded at the edge of the border, then she gasped and pointed in another direction. "There's movement over there! The Executors are coming in two groups. They're going to corner them, and Grammy doesn't know!"

Horror tangled in my gut as the Executors began closing in.

Nadine gathered her skirt in her hands and tossed her heels into the grass. "We have to go after them! They can't be out there alone. I'm going to help. Anyone who doesn't want to come is welcome to stay behind, but I'm going after my family."

I was with Nadine. She was my wife now, and we'd come together as one. Her family was now my family, and I'd do whatever it took to protect it.

"Let's go," I said. "These Executors aren't getting away without bloodshot tonight."