Page 30 of With This Witch
“I do,” he hears Petra respond. A genuine smile breaks across her lips, and he catches her licking them ever so briefly.
“It is my pleasure to announce, for the first time, the new Mr. and Mrs. Grace-Rose,” the officiant says before finally saying what Lachlan has been waiting for. “You may now seal your union with a kiss.”
Lachlan releases Petra’s hands and steps toward her, placing his hands on either side of her face and guiding her to look up at him. He leans down, placing his mouth on hers. He feels her relax into him, and he moves his left hand down to her back, tipping her back so she raises a foot from the floor as she wraps her arms around his neck. Beneath him, she parts her lips slightly, bringing her tongue forward to meet his. Literal sparks fly in his peripheral vision as their tongues connect. The kiss is brief, lasting only seconds, but it feels like a lifetime to him. He already knows he never wants to stop kissing this magnificent woman.
Near them, Gammy, his mom Fenella, and Declan clap loudly while Daisy has her fist pumping in the air as she whoops, celebrating their official seal as a married couple.
He tips Petra back to a standing position, bringing his hands to the side of her face. “Hello, wife,” he whispers, resting his forehead against hers before giving her another small peck and then turning to face his friends and family, both old and new.
He raises their clasped hands and notices her blush.My wife,his demon roars.He smiles at her, bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing it softly.She’s my wife.
Hands clasped and fingers entwined, they proceed down the aisle together. They did the right thing. He knows it down to his soul, which he would happily offer up to see her continue to glow the way she does now.
In the hall, they are quickly surrounded by their small crew in a group hug as they share their excitement and congratulations. With how they respond, he can almost believe this isn’t a marriage under false pretenses. They celebrate as if they are here for marriage between two people in love. Lachlan may have feelings for Petra, but as he watches her receive a hug from Daisy, he can’t say if they’re reciprocated or not. For now, Lachlan will revel in the excitement and celebrate Petra being his for the next two years.
Daisy claps her hands and looks around the group. “Alright, we need to celebrate the newlyweds.” She holds a hand up to stop Petra’s protests. “No, you don’t get to be all coy here. You just got married. To a demon with a magnificent ass, if I do say so myself.” Daisy winks at Lachlan. “We are celebrating. I was thinking of dinner and drinks at Skylight?”
“Sounds wonderful!” Gammy and Fenella agree.
“I’m in!” Declan declares.
The five of them turn and look at Petra, who is chewing her lip. Her glow has softened, but Lachlan can still see it there. She needs this. She needs them.
“What do you say, wife? Let’s go celebrate with our little miscreant family.”
She raises her beautiful green eyes, and he sees a softness there that could maybe, one day, be love.
“Dinner sounds lovely,” she agrees. She squeezes his hand quickly and rests her head on his shoulder before Daisy calls for everyone to follow her.
“Are you okay?” he asks gently.
“Yeah. Yes. I’m good. And thank you, Lach. For everything.”
“Anytime, love.” He squeezes her hand. “Shall we go before she notices we aren’t behind her?” he says, motioning toward Daisy halfway down the stairs out front.
“Yes. Definitely. Rule number one with Daisy, never get in the way of her and food,” she jokes.
Hades, her smile could heal the world, he’s sure of it. It’s already healed him. Putting his arm out for her, they walk out, arms linked, a united force against the world.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Petra
Dinner with their small, tight-knit group was exactly what she needed. As much as she could do without being the center of attention, it was nice to share this moment with everyone. Plus, the longer she gets to look at Lachlan in that gorgeous suit, the better. That man is beyond beautiful. His blue eyes could melt the most frozen of hearts, and the navy in the suit makes them pop perfectly. Seeing him in this suit has done something special to her nether regions. Looking at him now, you’d never know he was a golden-eyed demon with giant black horns who could decimate this entire block with the snap of his fingers when in his true form.
Oh, and that kiss at the altar? Her stomach flips just thinking about it. The way his lips possessed hers, hinting at the beast under the surface. It looked innocent, but there was such heat between them that nearly had her knees buckling underneath her.
She attempts to protest again when Daisy and Gammy settle the bill. They couldn’t agree who between them would pay for the celebrations tonight. However, with some coaxing from Declan, they decided to split it. As she watches the scene before her, her chest warms with love for everyone here. She’s genuinely grateful to have all of these wonderful people in her life. While she may not know Declan and Fenella well yet, she’s happy to gain them as a fake family-in-law.
Petra rounds the table and hugs Gammy, Daisy, and Declan, thanking them for coming today and for this celebratory dinner. She turns to Fenella to thank her for welcoming her into the family. “I am so happy for you two,” Fenella says. “Lachlan has filled me in, and while your union may be unconventional, I think this will be good for him. I thinkyouwill be good for him.”
“Thank you,” Petra replies, taken by surprise.
“I know you and I don’t know each other well, but I know of your family. If you are anything like your grandmother, then you will do great things.”
Petra smiles, appreciating the vote of confidence. Fenella pulls her into a hug. It’s warm and comforting. The way a mother’s hug should feel.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of… this,” she says, motioning to the space around them. “I am so lucky to have you all in my life, and Declan, I am happy to finally have a brother.”
