It took another minute, but Auric finally broke the kiss leaving a slightly dazed mother of the bride staring lovingly up at him."Mina. Let her be. She's a strong, intelligent woman, a Wyvern's mate and a white witch to boot. You don't need to try to control her life. She's got it handled."
"Thanks, dad." Ciara said the words as a barb aimed at her mother. There was a lot of old wounds for the three of them to work on healing.
Azy had a feeling today's wedding festivities would help. This ceremony was mostly for Ciara anyway. That made Azy happier than if it had all been for her and Cage.
Wesley bustled over checking his watch, also as handsome as the devil in his suit. "All right ladies, family drama aside for the next few minutes, because it's time to get married."
He took Auric and Wilhelmina by the arm and sent them up the aisle. They were joining in the invitation and getting married today too. Then Wes held out his elbow to Ciara. "Shall we, my beauty?"
Azy stayed a moment longer and watched her friend being escorted toward her bridegroom. The flowers over the arch all came into bloom in one poof. She couldn't see Ciara's expression, only the back of the beautiful white gown that sparkled like diamonds when she walked, but Jakob's love for his mate was so very evident.
When Ciara was in his arms, that was Azy's cue. She took anxious steps toward the arch and her mate. It helped when she spotted the midwife sitting in the very front row with the children, still in their egg of light, watching along with everyone else, including their full set of guards.
Being the center of attention was so not her thing and every eye was on her. She had the urge to smooth the satiny gown she wore. Wesley had assured her this was the dress to say yes too, it's palest of rose and gold colors setting off her dark skin making her a glowing bride. She did feel pretty.
Even prettier when she caught Cage's gaze. At that very same moment the sun burst over the horizon, sending a riot of color and heavenly rays of light through the sky. The guests gasped at the beautiful display, but she and Cage never took their eyes off each other. In this mass of people, they were the only two.
She reached Cage and took his hand. "You look ravishing, Az. I am a lucky man to have you for a mate."
A giggle bubbled up from her, letting out a little of the joy she was holding in her heart. "You're looking pretty stud muffiny yourself. I'm glad we didn't decide to run off to Vegas after all."
The priest Señora Boh had helped them find to perform the ceremony cleared his throat. He reminded Azy of a wild and extra hot Jason Mamoa, but with a prosthetic arm and a turned around collar. "Ready, my children?"
"Yes," she answered. "Bring on the love fest, padre."
The ceremony was a blur of Do-you's and I-Do's and some You-may-kiss-the-brides. Then cheering. Azy spent all her energy and attention focused on Cage and he on her. That was all that really mattered to her.
After the kissing, the priest stepped aside, and Match came out of the line of groomsmen and took the place directing the ceremony. He was a scowly as usual, until he glanced down at Azy. Then his face relaxed and he smiled that movie-star smile he had at her. "Do you have the ring?"
They purposely skipped the with-this-ring during the main part of the wedding. Even after just an evening of wearing the little bit of sunshine on her finger, she felt bare without it. She was more excited for this mating ceremony than the rest of the wedding anyway. God, she hoped that performing the ritual would truly demonstrate their bond to the whatever powers that be.
"Here you go."Ky, who was sort of serving as everyone's best man stepped up and handed Cage the ring.
The dragon warriors moved in, circling her and Cage, cutting off the view of them from the rest of the guest.Señora Boh came and stood beside them in the circle too, as if to let the babies be a part of and watch this more private part of the ceremony.
Cage retrieved a very old looking book from AmberGris and handed it and the ring over to Match. He nodded to Jakob and Ky, who took up on either side of her and Cage. Match flipped the book open and began reciting words that sounded vaguely Middle Eastern to her. She didn't understand any of them except when he said her name and then Cage’s. Cage responded in the same language as if he had been asked a question and said her name.
Then both Cage and Match looked at her like she had something to say. Match rolled his eyes. She stuck out her tongue at him.
Cage chuckled, grabbed her hands and said, “Repeat after me.”
She nodded and listened close to the foreign syllables so that she could say them back to him.
“Ni, Azynsa cad men anna ni gud Cage Gylden.” The cadence of the sentence felt oddly familiar. She'd heard something similar to it before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on when or where. It wasn't like she spoke any foreign languages, if you didn't count mermaid.
She repeated as much as she could back to him. “Ni, Azynsa, cad men…”
“cad men anna ni gud –” Cage prompted her.
“cad men anna ni gud Cage Gylden.” As she finished the sentence, Cage picked the ring up off the book Match was holding and slid it on her finger. It glowed with a light that matched the soul shard hanging around her neck, both flashing with magic.
The magic crackled through the air and a sound like shattering glass came from the protective barrier around the babies. Light streamed from cracks that spread across the shell and one teeny tiny hand of their son thrust its way through, like a little power fist bursting the bubble of magic. The light fell away in chunks, dissipating into the air and the babies lay in Señora Boh's arms, hugging each other close.
A pressure like she'd been holding her breath too long and finally let go released Azy from its tight grip. Her babies. They were here and safe and perfect.She and Cage both stared for what was only a single blink but felt like an eternity. This was their first real glimpse of their children, no barriers, no magic, only thriving amazing life.
Azy picked them both up and held them in her arms, tears streaming down her face with more joy than she'd ever known before. Their little boy had golden brown skin, a dusting of blond kinky curls, and blinked fiery eyes swirling with gold flames up at them. Their baby girl was a beautiful creamy light brown with pure white hair and eyes like frost on a winter morning.
Cage surrounded all three of them with his arms, holding them gently to his chest. “My love, they are beautiful, just like you.”
