Page 166 of The Satyr's Guilt
The satyr, alongside Tyr and Brak, waited infront of another likeness of Gahya, this one larger, towering farabove the Firebrands but honoring them with a downward-tiltinghead.
Ram’s long purple robe stretched taut acrosshis wide shoulders. His caramel-streaked hair as soft as silkflowed like molten metal while his roguish smile outshined theglowing candles.
Her heart thudded against her chest as sherelived the first night at the Shed. He had turned around, hiselbows braced on the bar and his black sleeves rolled up to revealmuscular forearms, his translucent gaze fixed on her. When Ram hadprowled toward her, sex in every step, he had captured herheart.
How lucky she was. This man… No. This satyrwith the hard body and quick wit loved her. A good male. Devotedfather. Warrior who fought for his people.
She squeezed Jonquil’s hand. As they dreweven with Ram, the girl released Denim, accepted her bouquet, andstepped to the side.
The satyr tapped a fist to his chest, heldit there, and swallowed hard. He shook his head, his hair tumblingonto his shoulders. “Words fail me. You are so beautiful. Thank youfor being mine.” He dipped his chin.
If eyes were windows, then Ram loved herwith all his soul.
Denim beamed. “This ol’ thing,cher?I just threw it on. You, on the other hand, are breathtaking. I’llnever tire of looking at you.”
As they clasped palms, they kneeled at thealtar, his eyes flashing neon green. Philomena, the high priestessof nymphs, entered from the side, clothed in a lovely gown. But itlacked a spectacular train, a color to match a satyr’s eyes, or acolorful Phoenix pin.
In her hand she clutched a leather tie whichshe wound around the couple’s wrists. Her fingers paused atop thesymbol. The guests hushed as Philomena spoke. “Bound thus you willbe for all time even unto the Evermore. Once tied, a satyr and hismate cannot be undone. Together in conflict. Together in peace.Together in disappointment. Together in joy. Together in whatmatters and in what little matters. Together in life. Together indeath.” She waited, her gaze skimming the audience.
Denim’s breath hitched at the words, butRam’s eyes focused on her.
“Beyond the Evermore, Denim Quinn, this malewill be yours. Do you accept him and all he offers?”
“Yes. I accept this male and all he offers.I will love him even unto the Evermore. I will nourish him as henourishes me. I will be his strength as he is mine. I will be hisear and his voice.” Denim had rehearsed the words.
“Beyond the Evermore, Ramirez the satyr,this female will be yours. Do you accept her and all sheoffers?”
“Yes. I accept this female and all sheoffers. I will love her even unto the Evermore. I will nourish heras she nourishes me. I will be her strength as she is mine. I willbe her shield and her sword.”
Philomena raised her arms, her head tiltedso she could stare into Gahya’s face. “Your creations have comebefore you to seek your blessing. Denim, descended from the BloodCoven witch Morgana, and Ramirez the satyr. They choose to mate. Doyou accept them and all they offer?”
Denim chanced a glance at the hard, stonegoddess. In telling the story later, she would say Gahya’s lipscurled into a maternal smile.
“Let it be so.” Philomena touched theleather strap.
It tightened until Denim thought it wouldsnap. Instead, the band disappeared into their flesh.
Without warning, Ram’s love slammed into herbody, shooting through her bloodstream, sparking her nerves, theshock nearly stopping her heart. It was strong. Eternal. Sopowerful she trembled.
Her new mate steadied her with an arm aroundher waist when she listed to the side. “Now and forever, doll.”
A slight nod was all Denim could muster.“Did you feel that?”
Ram nodded, his sexy grin on her. “The earthmoved. If you play your cards right, I’ll make it rock and rollagain later.”
She laughed, slapping a hand to her heart asher words slipped out breathy. “It’s so amazing.”
“No more than you deserve.”
Jonquil walked behind the kneeled couple andput a palm to each shoulder.
Denim, her eyes moist, twisted toward thegirl. “I’m a little shaky, kid. Nobody told me about the bodyslam.”
Ram cupped her elbow with a warrior’s hand,guiding her to her feet.
Jonquil placed small fingers on her otherarm. “We’re family. We help each other.”
“We are, aren’t we?” Denim straightened herproud spine.
