Enticed (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 3) (7 page)

              I was too frightened to open the rest of the presents.  I didn’t know what else Eli had sent me…If anything.  Instead, I walked back to Lilly and Marco’s home with Luc while everyone else either went through the gifts or searched for Eli.  I shook my head as I tried not to glance over my shoulder at the thought of Eli’s closeness.   

I swallowed hard as a tremble shook through me.  Though tears clouded my vision, I was numb to everything else until an odd memory from my childhood surfaced, replaying over and over in my mind.  My parents were sitting next to each other and my father had lifted my mother’s hand to his lips before pressing them to her ring.  Love shined in his eyes. 

              “Mary Jane,” Luc’s said as his voice shattered the memory and I blinked releasing the tears.  His face was fragmented and I blinked again as my vision cleared.  His brows drew together as a pained expression crossed his face causing my heart to clench and every bit of feeling rushed through me causing me to hiss with pain. 

              Luc shook his head, “No,” he said, pulling me to him, “Do not let Eli win. Do not give in to everything he has done.”

              A shuttering breath pushed from me as my chin trembled, “I wish he was dead,” I said, through clenched teeth, “I wish I could kill him.”

              Luc pressed his lips together and cupped my face, forcing me to gaze into his eyes.  His expression was hard as he nodded and said in a firm voice, “One day you’ll be able to do that,” he said as his thumbs rubbed soothing circles over each cheek, “Your parent’s deaths will be avenged.”

              With those words, the pain of my parent’s death crashed around me as I grabbed my chest, stepping away from him, “It hurts,” I sobbed, trying to catch my breath but unable to under the crushing sorrow, “It hurts so much.”

              Luc’s lips trembled as he stepped toward me and pulled me to him, “Then, don’t focus on the pain,” he said, placing his hands once again on each cheek and tilting my face up to him, “Focus on me.”

              I stared up into his eyes as they darkened.  My breathing changed, hitching in my throat.  I swallowed hard wanting the pain to end and I knew that he was the only one who had the ability to comfort me.  I didn’t make the decision.  I didn’t think.  Instead, I pressed my lips against his. 

              He didn’t hesitate to return the kiss.  He pulled me flush against him.  His mouth melded with mine as his teeth nipped my bottom lip.  Desire rushed through me, pushing the pain away causing me to experience only him.  I should have been worried about being seen.  I should have cared that Sophia would be mad but I wasn’t.  Instead, I kissed him with abandon fueled by my desperation to rid myself of pain. 

              I reached up and tangled my hands in his hair pulling him into position.  He stiffened and reached up to grasp my hands moving them gently away before pulling away with a groan.  His gaze was dark as he stared down at me, “We can’t,” he whispered through gritted teeth, “You will regret it if we do.”

              I nearly cried in frustration as he released me.  I had the insane need to beg him but instead, I backed away from him realizing he was right.  I trembled as the voices of Sophia and Lilly came to us very near and I sighed thankful that he had stopped us when he did.

              Sophia came around the corner of the motor home first and stopped to study us with a darkening expression that could have been born from suspicion or sympathy.  Either way, I couldn’t tell.  Her brow rose and she sighed heavily as she took in my face.  Thankfully, if she knew that anything had transpired between Luc and me, she didn’t say anything. 

              “There was nothing else of concern in the other packages,” she said with a sad smile, “Lilly and Aurora have taken them to what will be your new home.  They have just left me to do that.”

              I nodded as she turned to Luc giving him a half smile, “Your brothers are looking for you,” she said in a strained voice, “Your bachelor party is about to start.  We will make sure that Mary Jane is protected.”

              Luc’s lips pressed together in a thin line but still, he nodded before stepping in front of me, “Promise me that if you need me, you’ll call,” he said, caressing my cheek.

              “Call?” I asked, confused.

              “Because of the bond,” he said, shifting, “You will only need to close your eyes and think of me and I’ll be here,” he leaned forward and whispered so Sophia wasn’t able to hear, “Like the night I summoned you,” Then louder, “Promise me that you’ll do that if you need me at all.”

              I nodded, “I will…I promise,” I said as he leaned forward, kissing my forehead before turning and leaving. 

              I turned finding Sophia with her eyebrow raised.  I saw her disapproval but there was also understanding there too.  My heart sank as I realized that she had suspected the kiss.  Thankfully, she gave me a small smile, “I am very glad that your wedding is tomorrow,” she said in obvious relief.

              “Me too,” I whispered but my reasoning came as my heart clenched with a new pain caused by Luc’s absence.  More and more, my reasoning was because I didn’t want to be out of his presence.

**********

            
 
I laid down that night, and even though I was exhausted I didn’t expect for sleep to come easily.  It was a pleasant surprise when almost as soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell into a deep, dark slumber. 

Only an impossibly familiar voice from my past woke me as she whispered my name, “Mary Jane.” 

A hand caressed my cheek as my mind tried to register that my mother was speaking to me.  I frowned as she spoke my name again.   

              Slowly, I opened my eyes afraid that I had imagined her presence but also afraid that I hadn’t because that would mean that my sanity had finally slipped.  I turned my head and jerked with shock when I found both of my parents standing above me.  They were smiling peacefully but my heart still skipped a beat as I sat up.  Tears sprang to my eyes as the fear faded and I was left with a sense of relief because they were there with me.

              “Are you real?” I asked as my eyes widened because I was terrified if I blinked they would disappear.  I didn’t move a muscle as I kept my gaze firmly on them. 

              They smiled, “We’re real,” my mother said, “At least our spirits are and that is what you are seeing now.”

              “So, you did pass?” I asked and my mother nodded sadly.

“We did but we’ve been allowed a reprieve from death for the moment,” She said. 

“A reprieve?”  I asked, frowning as I glanced from her to my father, “I don’t understand.”

              “Think of it as a visit,” My father said, grinning widely,“After all, did you really think we’d let you get married without us?
”

            
 
I shook my head, keeping my eyes firmly on them, “I’ve missed you both so much,” I whispered as a tear fell down my cheek, “It…hurts.  There is no way to get over it.” 

              “There is no reason to miss us,” my father said, softly, “We’re here…Even when you can’t see us.  We haven’t left you.”

              I nodded as I swallowed over the fresh wave of tears that threatened to come, “I realize that but it’s not the same.”

              “No, it’s not but we hope that you are reminded of our presence on the days where it’s hard,” She said, placing her hand just above her heart, “We thought this visit would help on those days.”

              “Hard days…Like it was today?” I whispered, brokenly, “It hurt to see the rings.”

              “I know it did,” My father said, sadly, “But we are alright.  We just want you to be happy and live a life that makes you proud.  That’s what we have always wanted.  We never wanted the tears you’ve shed for us.”

              My lips trembled, “I’d be happier if you were alive,” I said, as a lump rose to my throat, “I need you with me.  Sometimes, I don’t know if I can do this without you.”

              “You can,” My mother said with a smile, “Luc will help you.  So will the Brazil family.  We trust them with everything.  We trust them with you.  You must do the same and they will do amazing things for you.”
              “They already have,” I said, raising my chin as the light outside the window began to brighten. 

              My mother smiled sadly as she gazed into my face, “It’s almost time for us to leave,” she said as she grasped my father’s hand in hers, “You’ll be married in a matter of hours.  Mary Jane, I’m so happy that you are wearing my dress.”

              My father leaned down and kissed my forehead before ruffling my hair in a similar way as he had when I was a child, “We are so proud of you,” he said and grinned, “We’ve always been proud of you.”

              My father moved back and my mother leaned forward and kissed my cheek before joining him again.  They smiled with more peace than I had ever seen them have in life.  I reached out to them as they began to fade. 

              “We love you, Mary Jane,” they said in unison as they disappeared completely.  Darkness surrounded me again. 

              I opened my eyes a moment later and I took a deep breath as the lingering scent of my parents drifted up my nostrils.  A single tear rolled from my eye as I faced the day.  It would be the beginning of a new life and I didn’t fully understand what to expect from that.  I only knew that I would be married to Luc and my parents were gone.  Everything else would be a surprise. However, I wasn’t as sad anymore because their visit had allowed me to say good-bye in a way the funeral had not.  I had been able to gaze upon their faces one last time and realize that they were at peace.  I sighed as my heart lifted because their visit had finally allowed me to let them go.

              I couldn’t go back to sleep if I tried.  Instead, I walked into the living area and sat down, watching through the window as the light began to rise in the sky.  I smiled softly as I took a deep breath reveling in the peace my parent’s visit had given me.  I smiled at the irony of that.  Wasn’t a bride supposed to be nervous on her wedding day?  I shrugged to myself.  I suppose I wasn’t a normal bride.

              A knock at the door made me jump and I stood to answer it but Lilly swept past me without even glancing in my direction.  She opened the door and grinned, shaking her head at Mirella who was holding a gigantic make-up case. 

              “You better be glad that she’s staying with me and not Aurora,” she said with a laugh, “She wouldn’t let you in.”

              Mirella opened her mouth as if she was insulted, “She would too,” she said with a chuckle, “Besides, Andre would let me in.   You’re lucky.  I just have a key to your house.”

Lilly laughed, “You may not want to use that,” she said wiggling her brows, “Unless you want to see a side of your brother that would be sure to warp your mind.”

Mirella shrugged, “I’m already warped,” she said, grinning as she stepped forward, “Now move aside, I have to do my duty as a bridesmaid.  I have to wake the bride for her wedding day.”

              I stepped behind Lilly and peeked over her shoulder, “Sorry to disappoint you,” I said causing Lilly to jump, “I’ve been up for a while.  I’m an early riser.”

              Mirella groaned and then, shook her head in disappointment, “First, we didn’t get to shop for your shoes or dress and now, you’re awake when it is tradition for me to wake you up.   You really are taking all the fun out of your wedding.”

              I laughed as both Lilly and I moved to allow Mirella in as I asked, “Who is going to wake up you when you get married?” I raised my brows as Mirella stuck her tongue out at me. 

Lilly turned to face me, “Aurora has dibs on that,” Lilly said, “Supposedly, Mirella woke her up when it was still dark on her wedding day.  She is planning on doing the same to her but much earlier.”

I patted Mirella’s shoulder, “Well, you can still wake up Aurora today.”

              She pouted, “No, I can’t,” she said with a huff, “She changed her locks.  I don’t have a key anymore and Andre has already left for the church.”

              “Changing the locks…That’s actually a good idea,” Lilly said with a grin, causing Mirella to narrow her eyes at her. 

              She turned to me and held up a make-up case, “You won’t be cruel to me like they are?” She asked with a grin, “Especially since I have come to do your make-up.”

              “I won’t be cruel to you but I can do my own make-up,” I said with a smile but almost as soon as the words were out of my mouth, Mirella’s face fell and I realized that I had said something wrong.  So, I added, “I don’t want to be any trouble.”

              Mirella grinned as she took my hand, “No trouble at all,” she said, pulling me to a recliner, “I love this part more than all others.  Just sit here and feel pampered.”

              I glanced at Lilly who gave me a thumbs up and then, I nodded as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.  The click of the clasps reached my ears as Mirella opened the case and I relaxed as she began to rub my face with a sponge.  As she did, I found that she was right.  I enjoyed the attention as she applied layer after layer of make-up.  It was so relaxing, I must have dozed off because another knock at the door woke me.  Mirella smiled down at me as I blinked open my eyes to gaze up into her face. 

              “You’re make-up is done,” she said, softly patting my cheek, “But stay there while I answer the door.”

              I nodded as she walked away.  A few moments later, I heard Aurora and Sophia’s entry.  I sat up and glanced over at them with a shy smile.  Aurora’s grin widened as she took in my appearance. 

              “You’re beautiful,” she said and then, glanced at Sophia, who was nodding her head.  I blinked in surprise. 

              “Where’s Ruby?” I asked, frowning. I couldn’t remember a time when I had seen Aurora without her.

              “She’s with Andre so I can help you with your hair,” Aurora said, laughing, “It’s weird to be without her.”

              Her love for her daughter was endearing and I couldn’t help but smile.  Lilly entered the room from her bedroom, carrying the veil.  Aurora took it turning it this way and that before nodding her head, “I think a chignon would be beautiful on you.”

              She said as she stepped behind me, before placing her hands on my shoulders, “Relax,” She said, softly, “This won’t take long.”

              Aurora brushed, pulled, pinned and curled my hair for the next hour.  Only after applying my veil, did she step in front of me with Sophia, Mirella and Lilly.  Each had their arms crossed over their chests before giving Aurora a nod of approval. 

              “It’s time for the dress,” Sophia said, raising her chin proudly, “First, you’ll have to take off your clothes.”

              I blinked shocked as my eyes darted around the living room.  I stepped forward to dress as I had during the fitting in Lilly’s room but Sophia stopped me.  I turned to stare at her as I began to understand, “In here.”

              “Oh Lord,” Mirella said with a chuckle, “She’s as bashful as Lilly was.”

              “We have the same parts,” Aurora said, chuckling, “Unless there is something you haven’t told us.”

              I blushed, “No,” I said, “It’s just that I’ll feel a bit exposed with everyone staring at me.”

              Lilly stepped forward and nodded her head in understanding, “We’ll turn our heads while you change into the bra and panties that you’ll be wearing and then, we’ll dress you quickly.  It shouldn’t take more than five minutes.”

              “You did this?” I asked and Lilly nodded.
              “Unfortunately,” she said with a shrug, “It’s not as bad as you think it will be.” 

              “Okay,” I said as she handed me my undergarments. 

              Even with their backs turned, I felt exposed.  It only became worse when I was done dressing in my panties and bra and they turned around.  Mirella tossed something at me and I caught it only to realize that it was a light purple garter.

              “Slide that to your thigh,” she said with a grin, “Luc can get it later.”

              “Mirella!” Sophia said, exasperated as the color rose in my face.

              Mirella shrugged, “Well, it’s true.”

              “That doesn’t mean it should be spoken,” Sophia said as I slid the garter up to my thigh.  My cheeks were burning with embarrassment. 

              Lilly stepped forward with the dress and pulled it off of the hanger, “Let’s dress you before Mirella is able to speak again and give you something else to worry about,” she said, pooling it at my feet and helping me to step in the middle. 

              “What I said wasn’t that bad,” Mirella said, rolling her eyes as Lilly pulled the dress up and zipped the small zipper before buttoning the three buttons up the back.  I took a deep breath relieved to be covered again. 

              Aurora set my shoes in front of me and I stepped into them.  Sophia smiled widely as tears filled her eyes, “You are beautiful,” she said with her hand to her chest, “Your mother would be so proud.”

I smiled thinking of her visit and then, nodded as Lilly and Aurora stepped into the bedroom.  They emerged a few moments later carrying a full length mirror.  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as they set it carefully in front of me. 

              Slowly, I opened my eyes, taking in the ivory high heels which peeked out from my dress.  My gaze moved upward taking in the full skirt and loosely flowing bodice before my eyes found the emperor waist line of the bodice which filled my chest out in a way that made me seem more volumptuous before raising my eyes to my face and hair.  I gasped as I stared at my reflection.  They hadn’t exaggerated.  I was beautiful.  Slowly, I reached out and touched the mirror, surprised to find that the woman in the reflection was me.

              Tears sprang to my eyes but Mirella stepped beside me, “Don’t cry,” she said, proudly, “It will ruin your make-up and we’ll have to do it again.”

              “We don’t have time for that,” Sophia said in a reverent voice, “We’ll be late and you don’t want Luc thinking that you left him at the altar, do you?”

              I shook my head as I straightened, “No, I don’t want that,” I whispered, breaking my gaze with the mirror. 

              Aurora smiled, “Then, let’s go to the church,” she said as she met my eyes, “That is if you are ready.”

              I took a deep breath and nodded, “I’m ready,” I whispered, stepping away from the mirror and leaving behind the little girl I once was.

**********

              I was amazed how quickly the calm faded as I stood in the lobby of the church waiting for my turn to walk down the aisle.  I clutched Gavriel’s arm as I stared at the doors, trembling as the music began.  I was forcing myself to breathe but each breath was coming in short and too quick breaths.  Slowly, the doors opened and I clutched Gavriel’s arm so hard that he stiffened.

              “It’s alright, Mary Jane,” Gavriel said, patting my hand, “This is a wonderful thing…Not something to be afraid of.”

              I gave him a sidelong look, “But you were afraid of your vows,” I said with a tight smile, “Sophia said that you were forced into marriage and you both hated each other.”

              He laughed, “Hate is a strong word but we didn’t like each other very much.  Thankfully that changed,” he said and then, shrugged, “But regardless, you don’t hate Luc, do you?”

              I glanced up at him as Aurora and Andre entered the chapel and walked down the aisle, “No,” I whispered, “I don’t hate Luc.  I like him.”

              Gavriel’s smile widened, “Then, you have something more to build on than I did and look where I ended up.  I am absolutely smitten with my wife and I’m pretty sure she loves me too.”

              I nodded as Lilly and Marco walked down the aisle next, “She does love you very much,” I said and then, sighed finally relaxing before blinking up at him from beneath my veil, “You have done a good job calming me.  I think you’ve done this before.”

              “I have,” he said, straightening, “I gave Aurora away and she was nearly as nervous as you were.  Lilly was given away by Ion.  So, you are the second daughter-in-law I have walked down the aisle.”

              “Thank you for doing it,” I said and he patted my hand again.

              “Of course,” he said, as we took a step toward the doors.

              Mirella and Tamas stepped forward and then, entered the chapel. The doors shut behind them.  My heart began to pick up tempo once again. 

              “This is the worse part,” he said, leaning toward me, “Don’t worry.  I won’t let you trip.”

              I exhaled, relieved, “Thank you,” I said as the wedding march began to play.  The doors opened and I was able to take a long moment to study the chapel as everyone stared at me.  Mahogany framed the chapel making the stained glass of the arched windows even more beautiful than they already were.  The pews were set in two rows which were full of the people from the motor home park.  A long red rug stretched down the aisle.  Directly in front of us was a raised stage where a podium of the same mahogany sat.  The preacher stood behind it smiling.  To the left of the podium, my bridesmaids stood one per step.  To the right, stood the groomsman in the same manner.  Lastly, my gaze landed on Luc.

              His eyes met mine beneath my veil and my breath hitched as warmth spread over me.  He was handsome in a black suit with a purple tie.  His hair was combed back from his face.  His full lips stretched into a smile as his eyes darkened.

              “Everyone please stand in honor of the bride,” the preacher said, raising his hands upward. 

              Everyone stood and faced me but I could not break my gaze from Luc.  Gavriel must have noticed because he patted my hand, “We’re going to walk now,” he whispered. 

              I nodded as I stepped with him walking closer and closer to Luc.  As we stopped in front of the altar, I released a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding and tried to compose myself. 

              “Who gives this woman to be his wife?” The preacher asked with a smile.

              “I do,” Gavriel said, proudly turning and lifting my veil.  He kissed my cheek before helping me up the steps and placing my hand in Luc’s.  Gavriel took his seat as I raised my eyes to Luc’s once again.   

              His eyes were dark as they gazed into mine but they were also gentle with an emotion I couldn’t put my finger on.  His smile widened as he reached forward with his free hand and caressed my face gently before moving it away.  I raised my chin.  The small action made me feel cherished and beautiful. 

              The preacher began to speak about marriage but I found that it was hard to listen.  I could only stare into Luc’s eyes as my stomach flipped nervously.  I blinked in shock when I realized that the preacher was speaking to Luc.