Flame and Ink: An Anthology (Happy Ever After #1)(15)

“What’s making you think so much, my Lily?” he asked as he kissed up her neck and nibbled on her ear.

She shivered and sank into him. “I’m not thinking about anything but you at the moment.”

He growled and spun her around so he faced her. He looked down at her, and she gazed up at his fractured ice-blue eyes under the slash of black brows, falling into their intensity. God, he was beautiful.

Those strong cheekbones, that light brown skin. He’d left his hair down so it brushed his shoulders and framed his face. He looked like a dangerous angel that could lead her into the most delicious of sin. Good thing he happened to be one.

“You’re lying, my Lily. Is it the wedding? I know you wanted everything to be perfect, but I just want you by my side. That’s all I need.”

Lily closed her eyes, unable to show him the shame that probably hid within them. “I know that. We’re just having a small wedding. I don’t want any more than that. But I had thought my father…” Her voice broke off and she leaned into Shade’s hold, her ear against his chest, his heartbeat calming her.

Shade’s hold tightened and he cursed. “I hate the way he’s hurting you. I would take care of him for you, but I don’t think that’s what you want.”

She gave a dry laugh, though she knew he wasn’t joking. He was a warrior through and through. The wings didn’t make him any less fierce, no less a battle captain. “No, I don’t want you to take care of him, whatever that means.” Oh, she knew what he meant. “I just thought he’d be here for the wedding. I wanted him to give me away.”

“He’s a fool for ignoring you.”

“He told me he had a new family and he didn’t have time to go back to the past. What kind of man says that, Shade?”

Even saying the words hurt her. Why did she give a man she hardly knew so much power to cause pain?

Shade cupped her face and kissed her gently, his lips soft. She wanted to pull him down and let him love her, let him take away the memories, but that wasn’t what she needed.

No, she needed to move on.

“I’m your family now, my Lily. Your friends are your family. They’ll take care of you.”

“The wedding is tomorrow, and I’m freaking out like a beastly bride. I don’t like it, Shade.”

Shade kissed her again, smiling this time. “If you weren’t freaking out about something, I’d be worried. I love my OCD bride-to-be.”

Her heart warmed and she hugged him again. “I love you, too, my angel.”

****

Shade ran a hand through his hair, wishing he’d had a drink or something before this. Why was he so nervous? He was a warrior angel; he should be fine with anything that came his way.

Of course, he hadn’t been expecting the bundle of nervous energy that was his Lily. He’d fallen for those big green eyes the moment he’d met her.

Damn, he loved her.

This was their wedding day. At any moment, his Lily would walk to him, and he’d hold his true half in his arms.

Though he wished Ambrose was there. But alas, the council hadn’t let his best friend come, stating that Ambrose was needed up in the angel realm to deal with the aftermath of the betrayal.

Ambrose had tried to come anyway and had been punished for it.

Shade had wanted to retaliate, but Ambrose had sent a gift and his good wishes, knowing there wasn’t anything else that could be done. Shade hadn’t thought Ambrose would want to be near Jamie anyway. The two of them held a volatile connection that Shade didn’t quite understand.

But that was neither here nor there.

No, this was his wedding—their wedding. The only people in attendance were Lily’s six girlfriends, each a family member in their own right, holding a key to their future.

And, of course, Dante, the dragon shifter who owned the bar where everything her world had changed. Where the lightning had struck and she’d found her fate.

The damn dragon was even going to give Lily away because her bastard of a father hadn’t wanted to come.

But in reality, the fact that Dante was going to do it made perfect sense. He was the first paranormal she’d ever met. He’d been the one to hold the seven women together when their worlds had fallen apart. He was the one who had been struck as well that night but had only thought of Lily and her friends, not his own secrets. Their new family was made up of hope and a future, not blood.

What more could they need?

The women gasped, and Shade looked up.

His heart stopped beating.

Then his heart beat only for her.

His Lily.

She wore a strapless dress that flowed to the floor, tightening in at the waist and framing her ample breasts. Breasts he’d be able to taste later.

But that wasn’t what made her glow.

No, she’d come in her brownie form—no human glamour. Her skin gold, covered with translucent dust, and perfect.

She smiled, her eyes bright.

He let out a breath then pushed at his wings, letting them unfold through the two slits in the back of his jacket. He spread them, the black-and-blue-tipped feathers dark against the sunlight.

Lily threw her head back and laughed, the happiness within showing him the path he would soon take.

This was his Lily. His future.

He couldn’t wait to make her round with his child.