TheWardersDemon (6 page)

“Ah, my little topaz. How are you feeling? I have heard that things have not been well with you.” He didn’t let up on his hug.

“Things are better now. He is truly the one for me, Uncle Gaffin. I know it the same way Gran knew Gramps when she saw him.” She leaned back and smiled at him from her kneeling posture. “Why have you come?”

Her uncle gave Solar a haughty look. “I was here earlier and I found a few structural defects in your home. I told your demon that I would find a specialist to make the necessary repairs, but you know…I am the specialist.”

Sitting in the doorway, she smiled at her demon. “He really is the best if there is any structural problem in the crystal palace.”

Solar scowled at the dwarf. “You could not have mentioned this earlier?”

“I wanted to make sure that my niece was in good hands.” Gaffin straightened. “She is dear to me and seeing her asleep, I was not sure that things would improve with time.”

Elhara got to her feet and walked to take Solar’s hand. “Things have improved and I am sure that they will continue to evolve apace. What news do you have from the Warder front?”

Gaffin entered the crystal home as if he owned it. He reached out and touched one of the supports. At his touch, it shifted colouration until it glowed blue for a moment and then returned to its glowing opalescence.

Solar and Elhara trailed behind her uncle, watching as he strengthened every structure with even a minor flaw. Elhara had enough of the dwarf awareness of stone to know that he wasn’t exaggerating and his repairs were necessary though not vital.

Solar offered her uncle a meal and he raised his brows but nodded in agreement. Together, they went into the kitchen and started running through the supplies that Gaffin had brought earlier.

Her uncle was treated to three courses provided mainly through the efforts of Solar’s garden. He was grudgingly impressed by the cooking skills Solar had shown and it was with a light heart that Elhara waved at him as he left her new home to report to her grandfather about her status.

She walked to Solar and hugged him tight. “That was one, now we only need to deal with the other several hundred relatives and we will be home free.”

The hug he gave her was part affection and part desperation and despite his demon bloodlines, he radiated insecurity. “Are you sure that a Warder’s wedding is what you want?”

She leaned up and smiled at him. “If you want any peace and quiet in your life, it is best that we do it this way. Getting demons out into the open is the only way to let my family know what they are dealing with.”

Solar had a worried line between his brows that she smoothed with a finger. “Don’t worry. Everything will be all right, we only have to keep in touch with my parents and they will take care of everything.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead and smiled. “That is what I am afraid of.”

Chapter Nine

The morning of her wedding dawned bright and clear, or so her mother told her. Elhara wasn’t allowed out of the tent on the Realm fair grounds until the ceremony started.

“The demons are arriving and seem rather curious about the fuss.” Hannah did some fussing of her own with the roses crowning Elhara’s head.

“I doubt that they have been invited to many happy events, Mom. This is probably a first for most of them.” Elhara twisted from side to side and smiled at the daring yet elegant draping of the silk gown. Her hair was in a cascade of curls and gemstones. Her grandfather’s clan had been most generous with her dowry.

The Crimson clan offered their support to Solar and defence of his property. The Warders gave him complete imperviousness for his home against even demon incursion.

In their own tradition, the demons offered one use of skill from every clan for the happy couple. Elhara had no idea when she would need an assassin, but it was nice to know that the Shadow clan stood by to serve.

Four of her cousins stood by to act as bridesmaids. Asha, in emerald and gold, was her matron of honour. Beatrix wore a gown of ocean blue with matching roses in her bouquet, courtesy of Solar.

Sephany and Alora were in gowns that matched their husbands’ colours with roses that matched their gowns precisely. Elhara didn’t ask Solar how he got the colours so perfect with such short notice, but she did know that those same colours were growing back in the crystal palace.

Sephany smiled. “Are you excited about the wedding night?”

Elhara groaned at the flare of heat that ran through her at the mere mention of it. “You have no idea. He has been trying to take the edge off by using his demonic talents, but it is just whetting my hormones.”

She blinked. “Seriously? I am married to a freaking unicorn and he doesn’t have that kind of self-control.”

Elhara shrugged. “Incubi and sex go hand in hand, so I think he is enjoying the anticipation.”

Her mother looked a little scandalized, but when Reytil stuck his head into the bridal tent, she smiled at her husband. “Is it time?”

Reytil swallowed as he watched his only daughter turn toward him. “It is time. El, you look lovely. If you change your mind about the demon, there are about three hundred single males out there who would love to try and court you.”

Elhara walked and gave her father a gentle hug. “He is the one that I want. I will seek him out wherever he is and make him mine, no matter what.”

Her father looked into her eyes and read her determination. “And you are truly goblin born.”

She chuckled and took his arm, preparing for her walk. Her mother and the bridesmaids left the tent and when it was just the two of them, she asked her father, “Was there ever any doubt?”

He was still laughing as he escorted her down the huge aisle, through a pathway bracketed by every race in Realm.

A demon marrying a Warder in a formal ceremony was the event of several centuries.

Elhara smiled at Solar as she approached him. He was stunning, his black hair tied neatly behind him, a coat of brilliant gold embroidery confining his chest, polished black boots and black pants so snug, her mouth watered.

Her snow white gown was offset by the rainbow roses that had been delivered to her that morning.

Elise was sitting on the groom’s side of the aisle and she smiled brilliantly at Elhara as she walked past. When the octogenarian gave her a thumbs-up, Elhara smiled and turned back to the elder who was working through all the ceremonies.

Eylonwy Warder was an elegant woman of elven descent. She was also the preferred official for Warder weddings.

“We are gathered here today to honour the families who brought Elhara and Solariec into being. It is not every day that two souls are so well matched and manage to find each other. The demons have their bonding traditions and since they share the blood bonding with goblin kind that is one of the ceremonies we will witness here today.”

Eylonwy smiled at them. “First, join hands. We will begin with the blessing of the stones in dwarf tradition. Elhara’s grandfather is of the dwarf caverns and he has provided the raw crystal for this ritual.”

Elhara reached forward with the hand that Solar held. They plunged their linked hands into the jagged crystals and poured energy through them. Warding energy mixed with incubi seduction turned the stones into a bright, pulsing red.

“The stones will be distributed after the ceremony to all who have attended it.” Eylonwy smiled and at her signal, they removed their hands from the crystals.

She spoke about love, bonding and the varied backgrounds of the Warders. “Elhara’s father is of the Crimson clan, and Solariec’s incubi clan also uses blood bonding to complete attachments.”

Eylonwy handed her the dagger and Elhara returned it. She smiled and exposed her bonding teeth, sharp canines that appeared in a goblin’s life for one day. Solar matched her teeth with extending dentine blades of his own.

He lifted his wrist to her lips and she returned the gesture. They each opened their mouths and bit down at the same moment, the lancing pain subsiding into a slow burn.

“Now, extend your wrists and I will bind them together.” Eylonwy aligned their wounds and slowly wrapped a ribbon of brightest scarlet around them.

Elhara looked into Solar’s eyes and smiled. The surge of power that ran along their blood sent more than just energy through Elhara. She almost dropped to her knees at the bolt of lust that rang in her mind.

When she focussed on Solar again, she blinked, it was
his
lust that she was feeling.

“Now speak the words.” Eylonwy snapped her back to the ceremony.

“Solariec, with my blood, I bond to thee, with my heart, I dream of thee and with my body, I cleave to thee.”

There was no sound in the gallery of watchers.

Solar smiled with tears in his eyes. “Elhara, with my blood, I bond to thee, with my heart, I dream of thee, with my body, I cleave to only thee.”

Gasps from the demon side of those assembled were easy to hear with everyone else completely silent.

They spoke the final words together. “My choice, my love, my life.”

Eylonwy wiped tears from her face and removed the ribbon, tying it around Solar’s bicep. “A symbol of your love and reminder of your vows.”

He nodded and wiped at the tears welling in his eyes before returning his hands to Elhara’s.

She simply blinked her tears away and waited for Eylonwy.

“By two generations of Warder tradition and the traditions of the demon clans, I pronounce you blood bonded for your life spans. Treat each other well and enjoy what life brings you in all its variety.

“By the power granted to me by generations of Warders and the elders of Realm, I bless this union and wish you all the best.” Eylonwy smiled. “I introduce you to Elhara and Solariec, bonded mates. You may kiss to formalize the union.”

With a happy shout, Elhara leapt into his arms and planted her first kiss on Solar as a wedded woman. His lips parted for hers and while laughter ran through their audience, Elhara kept her arms wrapped around his neck while her tongue tangled with his.

When his hands cupped her ass and pressed her tightly against him, she finally remembered that they were being watched. She broke the kiss and leaned back in his arms, her lips swollen from the enthusiasm with which she had planted one on him. He slowly released her, but she could tell by the protrusion in his tight trousers that he didn’t want to. With a rueful grin, he took her hand and pressed a kiss to it.

They turned and smiled at their witnesses. They raised their joined hands over their heads and Solar grinned happily. “So, who wants to start the party?”

The riot of laughter and congratulations ensued and with them, demands to witness another kiss. Solar took point this time and bent her back over his arm, ravishing her mouth with his own that gained approving hoots from the demons in the crowd.

They laughed together and ran down the aisle toward the reception area, buffet and dance floor. It was going to be a long night of greeting their guests and celebrating, they were going to need to keep their strength up for their honeymoon.

Solar had weeks of teasing to make up for.

Chapter Ten

Elhara sat at the head table and watched the reception with amazed eyes. “Your folk seem to be adapting to the festivities. Even the ones who consume darkness have plenty of food at a wedding.”

Solar chuckled. “Yes, it is amazing, but they do seem to be having a good time. Lord Therogan is even enjoying a conversation with Eylonwy. I am stunned.”

Every assembled person had one of their little crystals and careful examination had determined that the crystals would offer a safe home as well as a protection for loved ones.

“It was a good day, Solar. I have to admit that I was a little nervous, but even the live squids on the buffet aren’t frightening folks away.”

He lifted her hand to his lips again. “I believe that it is almost time for us to make our goodbyes.”

She laughed. “We just finished eating.”

“One dance and then we will be on our way.”

“Not so fast. I have to dance with my father and grandfather before we leave. There is a method to these things. We have an entire week with no visitors in our future. Starting it early won’t make it last longer.”

He grumbled. “Says you.”

She patted his cheek and got to her feet. “Come on. We will start the dancing then.”

Their first dance was slow, sensual and wrapped her in a bubble of reality that no amount of watchers could enter. When they parted, she danced with her father.

“Are you happy, El?”

“Yes, Dad. I love him and he loves me, but better than that, we like each other. He might make me angry at times, but he is a good man and I know it.”

“As long as you don’t forget he is a demon. They are a relative unknown as far as blending with other races is concerned.”

“I have asked my questions and I know the particulars of his race.”

“He will feed off your love.”

“He feeds off lust and gives love freely. He does not feed off love in general. Pleasure is what keeps incubi on their feet. They have to give it to receive what they need from their partner.”

Her father scowled, his eyes narrowing. “Has he fed off you?”

“Not physically, Dad, but face it, he did need a snack while taking care of me.” The music ended and they parted. She pressed a kiss on her father’s cheek and sought out her grandfather for the next dance.

Her grandfather kept it simple. “I am only a mirror call away. I can be there in five minutes. Gaffin has given me the particulars.”

She smiled. “Thank you, but I will be fine. I love you, Gramps.”

“And I you, Elhara.”

They circled the dance floor with the dozens of others who were trying out their footwork. When the dance ended, Elhara had one final thing to do.

She tapped on the shoulder of the man she had not really met yet. “High Lord Tuartha? May I have a word with you?”

He excused himself from his conversation and smiled down at her. “Yes, Lady Warder?”

She delved into her bodice with one hand and brought out the shamrock necklace that she had been given to retrieve her memories.