“Well, we haven’t discussed it, but maybe we could have family holidays here,” I mused, loving the idea of hosting big parties and making even more amazing memories within these walls.
Plus, with a witchling on the way, we need to start making some more happy memories in this home.
“I love that idea,” Lyra said, pulling me in for a hug, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon filling my senses and making me emotional. I’d blame it on my crazy baby hormones, but I knew it was just me, truly appreciating I had a family to call my own.
And tomorrow I’ll have five husbands to spend my life with. Yup, life is good.
June 3rd
Saturday Morning
Aris
Today’s the day!
I nearly squealed in excitement as I walked the halls with Mr. Stripes curled in my arms. Thankfully, the nausea that had plagued me first thing this morning had passed quickly, so I could get up and enjoy such a major day without too many worries. I had about ten minutes before I had to start getting ready. The house was bustling with a flurry of activity around me as family members went through the pre-wedding steps like dressing, hair, and makeup. The chef Xan’s parents had hired was already preparing the food in the kitchen, while several other people fluttered around, taking care of various touches for the reception. With all the craziness, I couldn’t seem to find the one I was looking for until I walked outside.
“Miri!” I called out to the photographer who was taking pictures of the ceremony area and lake.
“Good morning, Miss Bride,” she teased. Miri was a family friend of Caspian and Torryn, who had happily agreed to photograph the wedding. Her weathered face held a bright smile, and her gray hair was styled in an elegant twisted up-do that stayed in place as her long skirt billowed in the breeze. “What can I do for you? About to start getting ready?”
“Yeah, but I wanted to talk to you about something real quick before we go in for that,” I whispered, the excitement I was feeling bubbling over into my words. “I have an announcement for my guys after the ceremony while we’re getting photos taken, and I wanted to have it documented.”
“Oooh, I love surprise announcements!” she cooed, doing a little excited dance. “You just give me a wink when you’re about to tell them, and I’ll be ready.”
“Perfect, thank you! If you could get them to face away from me, I’ll magic up a little sign to announce it,” I gushed. Miri jumped up and down in anticipation, nodding enthusiastically.
“Aris, honey! Time for hair, makeup, and all that fun stuff!” Lyra called from the door.
“Go on, I’ll be in shortly to take photos,” Miri urged, waving me into the house. With one final ‘thank you,’ I made my way in to get ready for the biggest day of my life.
Well… biggest day of my life so far. In nine short months, there’ll be an even more precious day.
I can’t wait!
Caspian
My hands shook as I tried and failed over and over to fix my tie. Being nervous wasn’t usually my thing, but today was such a big deal, and I was afraid I’d mess it up somehow. I was so lost in my own spiraling thoughts, I didn’t notice anyone had walked up until hands were brushing mine aside, taking over to expertly fix my tie.
“Calm down, little brother. She loves you, and you love her. That’s what today is about,” he reminded me, giving my shoulder a pat before walking away. I collapsed back on the bed and let out a long breath before thinking of Aris. She had been looking forward to today, and we’d done our best to make it perfect. I couldn’t wait to see her walk down the aisle toward us. She was going to be breathtaking.
“Alright, there’s way too much tension in this room,” Drayce called out. “Gather round, boys!”
“I have the perfect thing!” Torryn said, pulling out his favorite liquor, a strong vodka with a strawberry aftertaste. I had a feeling he chose it because it was a vivid glowing pink.
“Not today, brother. The drink I have in mind holds significance, and today is a day for sentiment,” Drayce grinned proudly, holding up a bottle of none other than Witches Brew.
“But…why?” Torryn asked, confused, making the rest of us laugh.
“Remember the brownies Aris made you?” I hinted, and Torryn’s nose wrinkled at the memory.
“Yeah, it was Witches Brew’s fault, for sure,” Drayce said, cracking up.
Smiling to myself, I stood up, knowing Drayce was likely doing this for me…he was always finding small ways to look after Aris and me, and I loved and appreciated him for it. Moving toward the side table, I grinned as I took the shot glass he handed out. Fitting.
“To our coven and our girl,” Drayce declared, holding his glass out. We all knocked our shots against his glass before downing the fiery concoction, the slight hint of strawberry dulling the heat. A wave of calm poured through me, and I gave Drayce a pointed look he ignored, blowing me a kiss before grabbing his own tie off of the bed.
Feeling better, I walked over and fixed it for him, tying it with my now steady hands. My face was so close to his, I could feel his warm breath fanning over my cheeks.
“You know, I’m just as happy about marrying you as I am about marrying Aris,” I whispered so only he could hear. “Without you and Aris, life would be a witch.” For once, his cheeks flared pink, making me smile. It wasn’t easy to catch him off guard.
“Ditto, Sprinkles,” he said, brushing a soft kiss over my lips. “Now, let’s go get our girl. It’s time.”
Thank the goddess for the drink he gave me. Walking through the crowd and feeling all those eyes on me was nerve-wracking, but the moment I saw Mom with tears in her eyes, it all fell away. She’d been so supportive of our relationship and never once made me or Tor feel weird about sharing a girlfriend… or wife in a few minutes.
We stopped long enough to hug our family, Mom even pulling Drayce in for a hug before he pulled me over to his family. His sisters surrounded us, the roar of their excited yells nearly overwhelming. Seeing him next to them, his personality made so much sense. The poor guy had to be calm and easygoing with that many hyper girls around.
When we finally made it to the circle and the waiting Prime Minister, reality sunk in, and my heart pounded in my chest. This was it. This was the day we became a true coven, one solid unit, and I couldn’t wait.
Aris
“Ready?” Olive asked quietly. The two of us waited just inside the house, away from the guests. The ceremony was starting, all the guests seated in the yard where my men waited, alongside Prime Minister Gennady on the rune circle mapped out on the ground.
Everything was tingling, and excitement buzzed through me like a thousand little butterflies ready to escape. There weren’t any nerves or hesitation, all I could feel was this sense of readiness. At that moment, all I wanted was to be with them, reciting the spell that would bind us.
Smiling, I nodded, my tongue fused to the top of my mouth as the music started to play. Olive squealed, pulling me in tight for a hug before heading out of the house to walk to where she’d be sitting with Allain, Brynn, and Sebastian. Taking a final deep breath, I used my power to shift aside the gauzy curtain that had been hung in front of the back door.