Shadowed

Chapter 33

Brenna smoothed down the Irish lace, appreciating the centuries of women who had worn the dress before her. Love and hope lived in the soft fabric. She stood in the small room of the lodge while the sun played across the ocean outside. She smiled at her older sister. “Moira, your hair needs work.”

Moira grinned and sat at the vanity to fix her hair. “Sorry I was late. ’Twas totally Conn’s fault.”

Aye. Brenna didn’t need a road map. “I figured.”

Moira turned. “Tell me you’re happy.”

“I’m happy.” Brenna smiled as she realized the truth of the statement. “I love him.”

“Good.” Moira patted wild curls into place. “Life as a Kayrs mate isn’t easy, but it’s well worth it. They’re good men.”

“I know.” Brenna nodded. “Jase likes me for me, and not for who the world thinks I should be.”

Moira laughed, her eyes sparkling. “That does sound familiar, you know. The world thought I should sit on the council and dictate policy. Only Conn knew that I belonged on the front lines dealing with witches misusing magic.”

“I like sitting on the council.” Glancing at the quiet street outside the window, Brenna leaned toward her sister. “Janie had a vision regarding the Prophecies of Arias and thinks she needs to read the book to end the current war.”

Moira blinked. “What did you tell her?”

“Just that the book didn’t exist, and if it did, I’d need to go through the proper channels to gain her access. But we should get her access, don’t you think?”

“Yes.” Moira slipped her feet back into the heels. “The book is in an ancient language, and I have no idea what it says. Do you think she’ll be able to decipher the pages?”

“Maybe.” Brenna touched up her makeup. “She deserves a chance to try.”

The door burst open, and Deb Stewart swept inside with the bouquets, her dress swishing. “Everyone is seated.”

Brenna reached for her arrangement of bluebells and green rosemary. “Everyone getting along?”

Deb grinned. “I didn’t say that. Your sisters are all in blue, as are the Realm mates, but everyone chose different blues.”

“That’s fine.” Brenna stretched her calves in the high heels.

“Yeah, I know. But some of the shifters wore blue, too.” Deb laughed. “And the younger Realm vampires are seriously flirting with a group of female wolf shifters out of Washington, and their Alpha is glaring.”

“Their Alpha is Terrent Vilks, and he’s an ally,” Moira said, reaching for her bouquet.

Brenna sighed. “Yeah, but Terrent is over-the-top protective of his pack.”

Deb nodded. “I think he’s with a very pretty shifter who knocked over a row of baskets?”

Brenna laughed. “Yes, Maggie is his mate, and she’s a bit . . . um . . .”

“Clumsy as hell,” Moira said flatly. “But we love her anyway. Speaking of shifters, have the lion shifters arrived?”

“Yes.” Deb patted her hair back into place. “Jordan and Katie were already busy chasing two energetic seven-year-olds around. Those cougar twins are just too cute for words.”

“I can’t wait to catch up with everyone,” Brenna said. “But, we do need to tell Garrett to watch out for the wolf cheerleaders. Terrent won’t let Garrett seduce one of those girls.”

“Seduce?” Moira coughed. “Garrett wouldn’t know how to seduce a sure thing. The kid is cute, but seduce? I don’t think so.”

Brenna glided toward the door. They’d better get a move on before all hell broke loose. “Garrett is a Kayrs who recently survived battle with both Kurjans and demons. He’s a hero, and he has the vampire’s charm. Plain and simple.”

Moira frowned. “Good point. Let’s get him occupied before the wolves declare war on us, too.”

Brenna chuckled. “Here I thought my wedding day would be calm.”

“To a Kayrs?” Moira shook her head. “Your life will never be calm. But let’s go get married.”

Brenna waited until her family and friends took their places before sliding her hand through her father’s arm. Doctor Dunne smiled down at her, and she nudged him. “Two daughters mating vampires, huh? You okay?”

Her father grinned. “My girls have found love and adventure. Of course I’m happy.” The music started, and he escorted Brenna into the main room of the lodge, which had been turned into a wedding venue for the day.

Brenna almost stumbled at seeing Jase. He stood up front with his brothers, a solid wall of strength and family. The scar on his face spoke of suffering, while the love in his eyes promised a future. A good future. She smiled, and his eyes flared.

So much power came with love from a man like that. She could handle it, and she could handle him. Sure, he was wounded, but he loved her. She felt the warmth of his love even across the room. As a mate, she could feel inside his skin.

She belonged there.

As she crossed the room, she ignored the young vampires, the giggling shifters, and all of their family and friends. Her only focus was on Jase Kayrs, the man she’d mated for survival and had ended up loving. She reached his side, and she tucked her arm through his.

When he dropped his head to press a gentle kiss on her forehead, she finally found her place in a crazy universe.

Jase headed for the bar after dancing for a while with Brenna. The ceremony had been beautiful, but not nearly as lovely as the woman who was now his wife. She’d hustled off to take more pictures with her sisters, and he needed a drink. His brothers beat him there, and shot glasses were filled. He knew family, and he knew peace. It was a rare moment to feel both, and he took the time to just appreciate life. He glanced at the wall of vampires, his heart warming. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

Conn slammed a hand down on his shoulder with a force that would’ve killed a human. “We’re brothers.”

That pretty much said it all.

“What now?” Kane asked, his intelligent gaze on the partygoers.

Dage sipped his drink. “Now we figure out what the demons really want.”

“They want Janie,” Talen said, his low growl a direct contrast to the smile he sent across the room toward his mate. She smiled back, her shoulders relaxing.

Jase nodded. “Yeah. That’s what I think, too.”

“They can’t have her.” Conn poured another round of shots while Max reached for more pretzels.

Jase eyed Garrett while he danced with a young witch. “How’s Garrett doing, anyway?”

“Fine.” Talen popped pretzels into his mouth. “He is unsure whether he should be grateful to Zane or whether he should’ve killed him.”

Sounded about right. Jase eyed Dage. “Have we found Zane? Might be a good ally.”

“No. My guess is he’s part of one of the warring shifting clans in Iceland. They’re brutal but well-funded,” Dage said. “I’m not sure if we want him for an ally.”

“We don’t,” Talen said flatly. “Next time, we kill him. We don’t need some vampire-shifter getting into Janie’s dreams. Period.”

Jase nodded. “I agree.” Brenna caught his eye, and he straightened. “If you think the war will really end, I’d support negotiations even with the demons.” Not that he wouldn’t get revenge someday. But for now, his family and people needed safety.

Dage nodded. “I appreciate that.”

“I’d bet my left arm the demons don’t really want peace,” Jase said quietly.

“I agree,” Dage said just as quietly. “Let’s worry about that tomorrow.”

Good plan. Jase smacked his brother on the back. “For now, I’m going to dance with my mate.” Stalking across the room, he swept her up just as the band belted out a new song. He twirled his bride around in a fast dance, enjoying the delight flashing across her classically lovely face. He’d been dancing for centuries but had never felt so free. The music slowed, and he tucked her close.

She snuggled in with a soft sigh. “I’m glad you’re not on fire about this treaty business.”

He slid a hand to her lower back, spanning her waist. “Peace would be good for the Realm.” If he could keep Garrett and his buddies away from a war, he’d negotiate in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, he knew Suri. Being tortured for years tended to give insight into the torturer. If Suri was offering peace, there was a huge price. Chances were, Dage would refuse to pay.

“So you won’t kill him?” Brenna asked softly.

“I’ll kill him.” Even if they found peace, a time would come when he and Suri would meet again. Destiny was ongoing, and fate could take eons. But in the end, they’d be fulfilled. “I’m in no hurry.” He eyed Garrett and a pretty wolf-shifter trying to slip away. Terrent Vilks was immediately in the vicinity, pointing them both to the cake table. Jase laughed. Nice try, Garrett.

Brenna glanced up. “What’s so funny?”

“Young love.” Frankly, his money was on Garrett. The night was early. He glanced down at his stunning witch. “Our love.”

Brenna smiled. “Did you think we’d end up like this?”

“No.” He tucked her close. “At my lowest, when I’d been tortured for so long, and Willa made her offer, I almost considered accepting her as a mate just to get out of hell. Until I looked up and saw your painting.”

Brenna tightened her hold. “My painting grounded you?”

“No. It made me think of you, and you saved me.” He tilted her head back, needing to explain. “You are kindness, class, and beauty. I knew if I ever had a chance to experience any of those things, I had to say no. So I did.”

A soft smile curved her lips. “You’re saying we saved each other.”

“Yes.” He closed his eyes and moved to the music. He’d never doubted fate, and he’d never been worried about destiny. Perhaps there was a bigger plan in place, perhaps not. Either way, he’d found his path home to the one woman who would always be his. She’d healed him, and he would protect her forever. In fact, she’d made him believe in forever. The brand pulsed on his hand in agreement. He glanced down at the Kayrs marking, finally understanding what it meant.

Forever had teeth, and when it was right, it sank in. “I love you, Bren. Forever.”