My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding (24 page)

My mom rushed from the sitting room to answer.
 

“What are you—” I managed to utter, before she gave a half-apologetic glance and opened the door to the VanWillens and the Rodgersons, two of her country club couples.
 

She did not look surprised enough. I wanted to scream. I’d told her no more guests.

The Gucci couples gave exaggerated hugs and sighs and talked about late flights and rude taxi drivers.
 

I broke away and found Rachmort as he came in from the sitting room.
 

“They have to go,” I told him.

My mentor shook his head. “It’s too late. They’re a part of it now.”

Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick. Everyone was in danger, and I didn’t have the one thing I needed that could stop this.

“Keep moving,” Dimitri said under his breath, as he drew me straight for the mini-society gathering in the front hall.
 

I glanced over my shoulder at Grandma. “You follow, and you’re out of the loop,” I said under my breath.

She looked like she wanted to thwack me over the head with a Truth spell, but she didn’t.

Dimitri tensed as we approached the VanWillens.
 

I put on my best grin. “Hi! So glad you could make it! We ran out of ice. Be back in a jif!”

His grip on me eased as the fight drained out of him. “I don’t know what’s more frightening,” Dimitri said once we’d made it out into the cool night, “the idea of you in the Cave of Visions or what I just saw.”

A glimpse of society Lizzie. “Yes, well you’re stuck with me now.”

“We’re not married yet,” he mused, as we headed down the steps.

“No.” I squeezed his hand. “But you love me.”

We let the darkness envelop us as we drew farther and farther toward the front of the house, away from the marks, to where the trees stood tall along the drive. The moon hung low, and the sound of insects and frogs pierced the night.

“Is there any particular place you’re taking me?” I asked, fighting to keep up with him.

“Away,” he said, as we passed the first gargoyle.

Yes, well, I couldn’t wait. Moonlight played of his strong features. He was so determined, brave. Beautiful. If I needed anyone on my side—for this and in life—it was Dimitri.
 

I glanced at the darkened path behind him to make sure we were alone, and then the truth poured out of me like water. I explained to him about the three marks, and how the soul of the murdered bride was powering them. I told him about the necklace, and how the grave dirt inside it had been dampening my demon slayer radar. That someone close to us was possessed. At last, I told him what I’d seen in the Cave of Visions, how the most powerful demon I’d ever encountered was powering up to take me on, to hurt everyone I’d ever loved. To kill me.

He didn’t hug me, or tell me that everything was going to be all right. Dimitri respected me too much to lie. Instead, he walked beside me, his powerful body alert, no doubt trying think of some detail, some way out that I’d missed.

“You could tell when your uncle was under the influence of a demon,” he said, thinking as he spoke, “you said his eyes looked red.”

“Believe me, I’ve been looking for signs.” And I certainly would have noticed that. “The only reason I could see through to you, to know you’re okay, was because of our bond.” And only after I was able to get my demon slayer senses back. “Our connection, what we have, is one of the only things in my life that always comes through.”
 

If my declaration had touched him, he didn’t show it. Dimitri was either hearts and flowers or all business. Right now he was trying to figure a way out of this. He stood still, working it through, then his intense brown eyes locked on mine. “Maybe you need more power.”

I snorted. “Thanks.” I was already doing everything I could.
 

He shook me off. “Listen to where I’m going.” He took a step closer. “When we get married tomorrow—”

I met his calm stare. “If we survive that long.”

“—I’ll be giving you a part of my power.”

I knew that. It was how the magical world worked. But griffin power was all about family ties and protection, not demon slaying.

“Wait.” I startled at the realization. “I can gain protective magic to help our families.” Combined with my demon slayer powers, it could buy us time. “But we’re not married yet.”

It was his turn to snort. “That circus in there isn’t our wedding. It has nothing to do with us.” He drew me close. Kissed me once, twice, his lips lingering over mine. His warm breath caressed my skin. “This is us.”

He was right. This was all I needed. I clutched my fingers against his T-shirt, watched them dig in against his firm chest. “What are you saying? You want to get married here and now?”

His mouth tipped into a grin. “I have the ring.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring wrap I’d seen when I’d looked into his mind. It was gorgeous. I ran my finger over the two rough-cut skye stones. “Blessed by the seven clans.”

“I can’t believe you did that for me.”
 

“Come on,” he said, taking my hand, “I know a place.”

Oh, my God. We were going to get married.

The thrill of it washed over me as we walked down through the trees, away from the gargoyles and the path to the old mansion.
 

I’d become so used to the dark mass of the house that I hadn’t even noticed it anymore until it lifted. “We’re off the property.”

“Exactly,” he said, as we approached a small building among the trees. “I saw this from the air. It’s an old Spanish mission chapel.”

“It’s tiny,” I said, drawing near. I ran a hand over the curved, pockmarked roof that was barely taller than I was. It had to be a couple of centuries old.
 

His broad hand touched the chapel near mine. “Missionaries used places like this to store their religious items. And to sleep.”

It was a holy place.

There was a break in the trees here, the sky above us bright with stars.
 

He leaned closer, drawing me into his arms. “Marry me, Elizabeth Gertrude Brown. Right here, right now. No lion tamer or dancing bears allowed.”

I ran my hands up his arms. “I was kind of hoping for a clown car.”

He shook his head. “You’ve got the biker witches for that.” He lost all trace of humor as he gazed down at me. “Let’s make this about us,” he said simply.

He was serious.
 

I was, too. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“I should have done it when I first saw this place. I love you, Lizzie. You fill an empty part of me that I didn’t even know I had until I met you.”

I didn’t deserve him. “You’re the most giving, loyal, brave man I’ve ever known.”

He gave a small smile. “It doesn’t mean anything if I can’t share it with you.” He touched my cheek. “I was afraid to love before I met you. It hurt too much after the way I watched my family destroyed. But you helped me live again. You showed me I don’t have to be in control every minute of my life.” His fingers traced my skin. “I can trust.”

“That’s always been so hard for me.” I’d never been a big believer in things I couldn’t see or control. Dimitri had changed that. “You make me feel so safe.” Loved. He grinned, and I did, too. “Thank you for being the person that makes me believe in happy endings.”

Energy prickled along my skin as he opened himself to me. I did the same, showing my love for him with no reservations, no doubt.
 

“Will you take me, forever and always?” he asked.

“I will.” I held out my hand and he slipped the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, the stones catching the moonlight.

My throat tightened and my heart beat fast when I asked him in turn, “Will you take me? Forever and always?”

His mouth split into a wide smile. “I will.”

The full force of his strength and mine poured from us, merging until we were surrounded by a pure white light. There was never anything more beautiful.

We stood holding each other, complete in the glow of our union. Lovers for life, in control of our destiny. We were the ones who would decide how we lived our lives together.

I felt stronger than I ever had before. Complete. I’d never be alone in this, or in anything else, again. I was home.

Chapter Twenty-One

It was hard for us to drag ourselves back to the house. But with Dimitri by my side all night, even the cursed mansion was bearable. I felt the blending of our powers, and it seemed to lift some of the darkness, for now at least.

We’d escaped into his room to celebrate, and after, I slept better than I had since we’d gotten here.
 

I woke tangled in his arms, my thigh resting on one of his as he ran his hands along my side. He planted an open-mouthed kiss on my neck before moving lower.

My eyes adjusted to the morning light. If this was what it would be like being married, sign me up for an eternity. The sheets tugged and I moaned out loud as a deliciously hot, wet sensation rasped across my breast. He drew harder, his tongue swirling across my sensitive nipple and I arched my hips.

Mmm… I ran my fingers through his hair. I loved waking up this way. It was sweet and invigorating, and I wanted him. Now.
 

The head of his cock nudged me where I was most sensitive, then retreated.

“Oh, no. Don’t tease. Come here,” I said, slick and ready. The full, heavy weight of him settled over me as I grasped his shoulders, trying to get him to move up.

He chuckled and rose over me. “My wife is demanding.”

“You love it,” I murmured as he slid deep inside me.
 

“I do.”
 

He withdrew and then pushed hard, filling me again.
 

He made love to me slowly. Perfectly. The things he did to me, the way he knew me, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I came with a shuddering moan, as bliss tore through me. He followed soon after, stiffening and jerking as he joined me.
 

We lay together for a long moment, content to simply be with each other. I held out my hand and gazed at my ring, the skye stones twinkling with a life of their own.

His breath was warm against my neck. “Good morning,” he murmured.

“Can I stay here forever?” Demons be damned, we had our slice of peace.
 

He rolled onto his back, taking me with him. “You want my honest opinion?”

My head felt heavy against the rise and fall of his chest. “Always.”

“I can’t believe nobody’s barged in on us yet.”

True. I forced myself to sit. We might as well be dressed once they decided to invade. And Dimitri was right. They would.

He planted a kiss on my head as he slid out of bed behind me. “Happy official wedding day.”

I tossed a pillow at his fine, naked backside. “I’m glad we did it yesterday,” I said, moving to join him in the shower.
 

He grinned. “Me too.”

***

By the time we finished a clumsy, yet enthusiastic and ultimately fruitful bout of love in the shower, (I’m telling you now, small spaces and slippery tile do not make it easy), we managed to dress without incident.
 

“Are you ready to do this?” Dimitri asked as I quickly pulled on a sundress.

“Hey,” I said, wondering exactly what we planned to do about a real gown. “As long as I’m with you, I can do anything.”

The household was in a tizzy when I wandered out into the hall.

“You’re on my shit list,” Ant Eater said, stalking past. She wore an honest-to-God dress. Where she’d gotten it, I had no clue. It was a simple green tunic that was actually quite appropriate. “I’ve got the super glue!” she hollered out.

A door opened down the way, and Frieda’s head poked out. “Then what are you doing yelling about it? Get your ass in here.”

Dimitri pulled his tux out of the closet. “It’ll only take me about five minutes to get dressed.”
 

Showoff. I took a step forward and nearly made mincemeat of Pirate, who was lying in the doorway.

“Whoa, baby dog!” I stumbled to avoid him. “Watch out.”
 

He leapt up, colliding with my ankle before turning in a circle and plopping down in the middle of the traffic way.

“
Now
it’s baby dog,” he huffed, giving his best doggie glare. “Let’s not even talk about last night when I was by myself for an entire night.” He cocked his head. “I’m a pack animal. You know what that means? It means I need company.”

He’d always been happy snuggling up with Sidecar Bob, or one of the other Red Skulls. Then again, the wedding was an adjustment for him as well. “I’m sorry, bub,” I said, lowering my hand to pet him.

He ducked away, and Aunt Ophelia and another woman dodged him, tittering under their breath as they saw me coming out of Dimitri’s room.

It didn’t even matter. Pirate’s mood had instantly lifted because I was paying attention to him, and well, he was a dog. He got off on that.

“You don’t even know what’s going on.” He turned in a circle and sat, “Creely was up exploring the attic where nobody is supposed to go, and she found you a dress!”

Great. “I didn’t even know there was an attic.”
 

Whatever they’d found, it better be easier on the eyes than my mom’s couture gown. Then again, what did it matter? I was already married in every way that counted. This ceremony, put on for show, was merely a formality—and hopefully, not a disaster.

I still needed to figure out who was possessed and who had stolen my necklace. The protective power I’d gained from Dimitri might have bought us some time, but no telling how much.

Pirate pawed at the floor, his nails clicking against the hardwood. “The dress is in Hillary’s room, where she wants you to get ready. She says she doesn’t want your hands down Dimitri’s pants on your wedding day.”

Too late. And heavens to Betsy, “I can’t believe she said that.”

“I only repeat what I hear.” Pirate said proudly, his tail up. “Now she says you have less than an hour, and you need all the time you can get to look good, and do you want to follow me over there or do you want them coming after you?”