Piper leans against my arm during the ceremony, a wide smile on her face. I wonder if she would want a large wedding like this. I know she has a big family. Would she want them to celebrate with us?
The couple says their vows under an arch of bent tree limbs and vines. Both of them cry. Piper cries even while she smiles. I would cry too, if I had tear ducts, and when Sacha bends down to kiss his new wife, the whole crowd cheers.
This is when we learn that Bigfoots arenotquiet partiers. It’s not long before food, alcohol, and music appear in excess. A party truly indicative of just how much people love Bailey and Sacha.
“Fancy seeing you here.” Ness sidles up beside me.
“I wouldn’t miss Sacha’s wedding,” I say defensively.
“I was speaking to your lovely mate.” Ness smirks.
My wings flair before settling back against my shoulders.
“You look beautiful tonight, Ms. Hamilton. Have the two of you finally decided to kiss and make up?” Ness asks.
“Is it any of your business?” Piper’s fingers squeeze mine, and she releases an exacerbated sigh.
“Well, you have me to thank for it!” Ness laughs. “It was my meddling that got you here. My advice got you together. My desk where you hooked up.”
“Magnes, if you weren’t responsible for my employment, I’d call you an ass,” Piper mutters.
“I can call him an ass for you,” I suggest seriously.
“Would you, darling? It would be very inconvenient for me to lose my job.”
“Ness, you’re an ass,” I announce, and Piper tucks herself closer to me with a wide grin.
Ness laughs, loud and full-throated this time. “You kids enjoy your night!” Then he leans in close to my ear. “I’m glad she finally got you out of the house.” Before he turns to find his date—a young woman that I’ve never seen before and will probably never see again.
The Bigfoots have really started partying. There is a bonfire surrounded by a half-nude dance party and a drum circle. In the shadows beyond are activities that appear to be games and wrestling. The music is a loud, pounding pulse that I can practically feel in my sternum.
Piper watches everything with wide excited eyes.
My heart wants to pull her out into the crowd and grind my body against hers to the beat of the music, but even my earplugs aren’t enough to make me comfortable when the volume is this high.
“Are you alright?” Piper seems to sense my discomfort.
I shrug. I know she wants to stay, and I want her to have a nice time.
“Do you want to leave?” she asks. “We can go if you want.”
I watch the shadows dance across her face for a moment. Her eyes can’t help traveling to the dancing and the merriment.
“I think I’ll just step away for a moment.” I gesture to a dark path into the woods. “You go and have fun.”
“You’re sure?” She bites her lip. “You don’t want me to come with you?”
I shake my head. “Please. I want you to enjoy yourself. We can meet up in a little while.”
She grins. “Alright. If I don’t see you in twenty minutes, I’ll come find you.”
“Take your time.” I bend down to kiss her, slipping my tongue briefly into her mouth before I pull back. She tastes like honey.
She steps away from me. My body is cold where her touch left me, but I’m confident she’ll be back soon enough; at her place, by my side.
31
PIPER
