Page 123 of The Mating Claim
“Does this mean more fights with coldfire, except I get coldfire to fight back?” Shegrinned.
“Coldfire is a powerful substance that can burn only in Drust. But you have a fire of your own, Lacey.” Danu touched her chest briefly. “Here. Inside you, burns a pure heart that desires to do good, and correct wrongs. A heart that can see past the black and white and knows that life is sometimes gray and filled with faults, but every second is precious and worthliving.”
Her lower lip wobbled as she fumbled for Drust’s hand. He squeezed it. “Thankyou.”
Danu’s wide widened. “No, thank you, Lacey. Thank you for having the heart to love and the courage to do the rightthing.”
Doing the right thing was easy. She turned to her love, her life, and he smiled ather.
She planned to do it forever, with Drust at herside.
As Danu promised,turning immortal did not hurt. Or if it did, the goddess had removed the pain for her. The process took place in Caderyn’s castle. Although Drust could not remain with her through it, he was waiting for her when Danu transported her back to hishome.
He wanted to leave planning the wedding up to her, but Lacey didn’t wish to wait. After fearing he was forever lost to her, she needed to be formally mated to him as soon aspossible.
Trouble was, everyone wanted to attend the wedding. Not only the Brehon wizards themselves, but many dragons. Seemed like every dragon on earth wished to honor Drust. All the Fae, the fairies and sprites, were clamoring to attend as well. And her personal friends Tara and her staff at the coffee shop, and her dear sister Evie and new mateChase…
Elopement seemed like a terrific idea, until Tristan’s brother-in-law Aiden Mitchell stepped forward and offered his ranch to host theaffair.
Surprisingly, the goddess herself helped with arrangements to expedite their specialday.
So it was less than a week after becoming immortal, Lacey found herself sitting outside on a bright clear day in a lacy white gown, white roses and wildflowers in her hair, newly mated to Drust. Decorated with white and red roses, their head table stood on a dais next to the wooden dance floor Aiden had his cowboys set up for the affair. A cool wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves. Hundreds of sprites flew about the tables, their iridescent lights sparkling beneath the tent ceiling, giving everything a mystical, etherealtouch.
Covered with white linen tablecloths, each table bore a vase of roses, hyacinth, andhoneysuckle.
Spring was stretching into summer, but Danu had also ensured the weather was perfect. No late season snowstorms or blustery winds. It was a perfect summerday.
Green, gold, black, silver and yellow dragons flew overhead, blowing flames upward to honor Drust and Lacey. The Lupines in Aiden’s pack eyed the dragons with some nervousness, but everyone was behaving. No one would dare do otherwise, for the goddess herself had officiated and remained at a seat of honor at the head table with her fairyattendants.
Even the wizards’ children had attended the wedding. They were corralled in a large playpen off to the side, where Danu’s fairy attendants amused them with magick tricks, leaving their parents free to enjoy thecelebration.
Lacey finished her prime rib and admired Drust’s formal wear. Instead of traditional wizard garb, he wore an ordinary black silk tuxedo. It suited him, and made him look even morehandsome.
“Happy?” he askedsoftly.
“More than ever.” She leaned over and brushed a kiss against his cheek. “As long as you’re with me, I know I willbe.”
The other wizards of the Brehon had a table of honor at the front. Danica approached the table where the Shadow Wizard sat, sipping hiswine.
“Dance with me,” the hairdresser told Caderyn. “Please.”
Lacey watched with interest as the big wizard rose from the table. Danicafrowned.
“It’s a waltz. For just one dance, can you remove those? I don’t feel like getting accidentally stuck.” She pointed to the twin swords strapped behind hisback.
For a moment he frowned. Then he looked at her, really looked at her, and with a sigh, removed hisswords.
Xavier’s jaw dropped. Silverware clattered as Tristan’s fork spilled onto his plate. Gideon, who had been amusing everyone by making water droplets dance in the air over Aiden’s head, stared. Water splashed all over the alpha Lupine, who sputtered, while his mate Nialaughed.
Every single wizard and their mates lookedstunned.
Caderyn set the swords down on the table before Xavier. “Watch these and do not touch them,” hegrowled.
The ancient took Danica’s hand and led her out onto the dance floor. Lacey watched them waltz withinterest.
“He’s a divine dancer, and they look cute together, even though Danica’s a bit short for him.” She smiled. “Then again, he’s so tall an Amazon warrior would be too short forhim.”
Drust did not respond, for he was staring as well. Tristan rose from his table and came over tothem.
