Page 109 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

"Ahem." The unmistakable sound of my father clearing his throat cut through the haze of my desire. “We still have the matter of the reception your mother and I planned. On extremely short notice, I might add.”

A reminder that, while Raina was indeed my wife, there were eyes on us, traditions to honor, and time enough later for the consummation of vows.

"Right," I muttered, setting Raina down but keeping her close, my smile rueful.

"Later," I whispered to Raina.

The decking of Speirhaus shimmered with what looked like a thousand tiny fae lanterns. Revelry and the clinking of glasses echoed through the trees as the small assembly celebrated.

I raised my own, the crystal catching the light, casting prisms on Raina's fair skin.

"A toast,” I called out, “to my beautiful wife.”

The noise dropped as they all turned, not to me, but to Raina, lifting their glasses, as well.

“To her future, as the sun follows its course, I follow hers. To her dreams, as the moon follows its course, I follow hers.”

A few murmurs of agreement came across the deck.

“And to her enemies, as her wrath carves its course, I follow hers.”

Whoops and shouts rose up and a few dark laughs.

"Here's to my wife," I continued, "may she always be by my side, in battles and in peace, in darkness and in light. To Raina Duersi!"

Glasses lifted and a chorus of, “Here, here!” rang out.

As the last echoes of the toast faded into the shadows, the air shifted, a new melody threading through the trees—the haunting call of string instruments.

I extended my hand to my wife. Raina's fingers slid into mine and I led her away from the others.

We swayed, slow and measured. Her head rested against my chest and I could feel the soft sigh of her breath through the fabric of my shirt.

One song turned into two, two into three. We stayed apart from the others, in our own perfect moment.

“Liam?”

“Yes, wife?”

Her smile, one of pure happiness, undid me.

“Wife. I like you calling me that.”

“I like saying it.”

“Pick me up.”

Puzzled, I did as she commanded so our faces were even. “Better, wife?”

“No, husband,” she shook her head with faux sadness.

“What do you need?”

Raina pressed her lips to my ear and asked me for something that froze my movements.

“Now?” I asked.

“Immediately.”

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