Page 104 of House of Malice
“Grandma.” Jolene finally managed to find her voice. “Aunties. I’m so glad you made it.”
Jolene’s grandma hugged her and whispered something into her ear. Jolene straightened her back, her face relieved.
“Welcome, thank you for coming,” Alecto greeted them with a smile. She motioned to the lounge area behind her. “Please, feel free to have a drink and roam around until we start the ceremony.”
“You must be Alatar’s girl,” Jolene’s grandma said, looking her up and down. “A fine girl.”
Alecto smiled and fought the urge to curtsy in front of the witch.
When the family was gone, Jolene sighed. “Gods, that went better than I expected.”
“What did she say?” Alecto asked.
Jolene took Leigh’s hand. “She said that I should have told her about it earlier, and that it hurt her that I couldn’t trust her with it. But she gave me her blessing.”
“That’s good news, isn’t it?” Leigh asked.
Jolene smiled and nodded. They both looked happy and relieved. Alecto hoped that today would go well. So far, everything was going according to plan, except her father showing up when he was supposed to be out of town.
Moira walked up to them. “All the guests are here,” she said to Alecto. “Should we start the ceremony?”
Alecto nodded. “Yes, please. Val, it’s time.”
Val nodded, and they all walked through the large eight-panel glass double doors to the back garden. Right at the edge of the cliff, there was an arch made from white oak branches weaved together and hundreds of flowers and berries.
There were firebirds and bees whizzing in between the blooms that smelled of honey once they got closer.
Val took her spot, and the guests streamed from the lounge into the backyard. Jolene and Leigh stood to the side, murmuring something to each other while they waited for everyone to take their places.
Alecto’s heart was fluttering, and her eyes burned. She wasn’t sure why now and whether out of happiness or something else. But she did feel overwhelmed.
Especially when the lyrical music started playing and Leigh took Jolene’s hand and they walked down the path towards the arch, where Val waited for them.
It was beautiful to see.
“We have gathered here, on this lovely spring day, to honor the union between Jolene Frone and Leigh Cheveron,” Val said, her voice carrying through the crowd. “These two witches love each other deeply, and we are here to celebrate their love and dedication to each other and their future together. Before you make your vows, know that they are not to be taken lightly. Words hold an immense power, and once you promise each other things, you are obliged to do your best to keep those promises.”
Jolene and Leigh both looked at each other, smiling. They nodded.
“This ribbon,” Val said, and Andro, who stood by her side, held out the two-sided ribbon for everyone to see, “will be the tie that holds your promises to each other. Now take each’s hand.”
Leigh extended one hand for Jolene, and she took it. They continued to look at each other, as if the rest of the world around them didn’t even exist.
Alecto wasn’t sure she had seen so much genuine love before. She stole a glance towards Blaze, and she found his dark eyes focused on her.
His eyes told her much more than words ever could.
Before they were caught looking at each other, Alecto averted her gaze. Val placed the ribbon on top of Jolene’s and Leigh’s intertwined hands.
“You each have prepared vows,” Val said. “Now it’s time to share them. Jolene.”
“I vow to respect you and love you the way you deserve to be loved, to the best of my ability, until we both decide otherwise,” Jolene said.
Her smile did not waver even for a second. Val tied the first knot with the ribbon.
“I vow to always be there for you and share my life with you no matter what, until we both decide otherwise,” Leigh said, and her voice quivered at the end.
Val tied another knot.
