Page 21 of Redeeming the Angel

It wasn’t that I wanted Lucian to abandon this new alliance he’d formed with us, but his presence was so distracting.

The day of my sister’s wedding dawned bright and cheerful.…At least I thought it did, since everyone in the tower didn’t get up until past noon, and the late October sun was shining bright over the mountains of the Raijin.I don’t know if it stayed all day since there was a whirlwind of preparation before the vampires rose for the night and it was time to cross the portal.

Since the Duchess of Kinsen wanted to throw a ball to celebrate the victory of the small battle against the evil vampires who’d attempted to invade, Nik and Del had decided to wed in her manor and have the ball be their reception.It would be a costume ball, which made Xochitl and me very happy.We loved dressing up, especially for Halloween.It meant everyone would have to bring their costumes and wear formal dress, but I didn’t hear any complaints.Though Nik wanted to wear her wedding gown all night, which I completely understood.After being forbidden to marry two millennia ago, I’m sure she wanted to revel in the moment as long as possible.

Also, Nik’s wedding gown was magnificent.Following the mage tradition of being the color of her power level, it was crafted with black lei fabric overlaid with an embroidered net overdress made of tiny garnets mined in Idaho, one of the only places on Earth where star garnets like Medicia’s were found.

In mage courting tradition, Delgarias had crafted her a staff of bloodwood like his own, only instead of containing a luminite feather, it held strands of his hair.The top was a dragon’s tooth mounted in silver, generously donated by Xandizion, the dragon she’d ridden in the last battle.

The wedding was in both mage and luminite tradition, and I was chosen to officiate, using my authority as Queen of Medicia.Zareth would officiate with me, using his authority as a high sorcerer and King of all of Aisthanesthai.

Xochitl, Sylvis, and Tiana attended Nik as she and Del walked toward Zareth and me.Del’s attendants had been Rayven, Silas, and Ian, the Lord Vampire of London, and one of the Elders.Ian had been Changed into a vampire by Delgarias when Silas had tried to kill him for being an English soldier in Henry VIII’s army.I wondered how the two vampires could possibly be friendly with each other afterthat.

When all the attendants were in place, my gaze roved over the guests and my breath fled when I saw Lucian.Somehow, he’d wrangled an invitation.Damn him.As if reading my mind, he gave me a rakish smile that made me remember when he and I had begun planning our wedding that was never to be.

Thankfully, it was time to officiate, so I returned my focus to the bridal couple where it belonged.Nik gave me a smile so full of love and happiness that my heart overflowed with joy for her.

I had to control my tears as Zareth made a poignant speech about Nik and Del joining their magic to become one powerful force.He then pierced their lips with a spiked thimble so they could exchange a blood kiss.

The power between them jolted so strongly in that kiss that everyone on the dais felt it.

Zareth then bound them by the five elements and presented them as mated mages.Then it my turn.Still fighting tears, I recited the luminite ceremony about true bonds and the joys of creating things together.Then I told them to present something they’d created together to the audience.

Nik and Del showed off a powerfully charged talisman they’d crafted together out of silver, copper, garnets, sapphires, and amethyst.Then for another creation, they presented Tiana to the audience with resounding applause, which had my tears flowing freely now.

In an embarrassingly choked voice, I declared them to be wed under my authority as Queen of Medicia.

Nik and Del shared another passionate kiss, and we all applauded.They walked back down the aisle, showered with black rose petals from the royal garden.Two photographers snapped endless pictures of them and the wedding party before we were free to change into our costumes and head to the ballroom.

I dressed as a hippy from Earth in the 1960s since Nik wouldn’t shut up about Woodstock since we reunited.The purple velvet bell bottoms were comfortable, and reminded me of my years on Earth where I learned to appreciate wearing pants.The tie-dye crop top was a little more to get used to, as I rarely exposed my mid-section.Still, seeing my sister’s wide eyes, followed by the knowing grin made it worth it.My daughter’s skin-tight vinyl Catwoman costume looked less comfortable.

Rage of Angels played several raucous songs and power ballads as we danced.Some of the duchess’s guests tried to headbang, leading to some comical sights.However, I couldn’t appreciate the music as much as usual, since I had to dodge around the crowd to evade Lucian.I didn’t want to turn down an offer to dance with him in front of everyone.

But as the minutes went by, I felt sillier for hiding.

Thankfully, Tiana and Rayven saved me.

“This crowd is too much.We’re going to the library for some peace and quiet,” my niece said.“Did you want to come with us?”

I nodded gratefully.

Not long after, Zareth and Delgarias joined us, followed by my daughter and her band.I tried to hide my amusement as Zareth and Rayven sat as far apart as possible.Their animosity had faded, but it would be awhile before they’d be actual friends.Their thousand-year grudge reminded me of my own, so I shifted my attention to Tiana and Xochitl.

“Have you two had fun getting to know each other?”

“Yes!”My daughter and my niece said in unison, before erupting in giggles.

Tiana recovered first.“I still can’t believe Xochitl Leonine is my cousin!I’ve been listening to Rage of Angels for years.And she’s the Queen!She is so cool!”

“No,you’rethe cool one.”Xochitl grinned at her.“You have those badass faelin eyes, have more years of training in magic, and the Keeper of the Prophecy is your dad.And well, even if he wasn’t, Uncle Del is awesome and my dad sucks.”

Tiana placed her hand over Xochitl’s.“That’s not your fault, though.Besides, we know from the Prophecy that you’re the one who’s going to take him down.Maybe, aside from your voice and your luminite powers, you inherited some power from him that you can use for good.Or, at the least, cool stuff.”

“Well, my eyes turn red when I’m angry and that scares people, which is sometimes cool.”Xochitl’s cheery tone bled away and her shoulders slumped.“But sometimes it makes me sad.I don’t want to be like him.”

Before I could reach out and comfort her, Nik entered the library, cursing under her breath as she tried to maneuver her wide skirts through the door.

“Ah, you finally got away.”Delgarias spread his arms wide and she melted into his embrace.

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