Suvi's Revenge: Rowan Sisters' Trilogy Book 3 (10 page)

CHAPTER TEN

“Move that comb over. It doesn’t look right there,” Pema told Isis. Suvi watched in her mirror as they argued over her hair. A flock of butterflies had taken flight in her stomach and she was giddy with joy that her moment was finally here. It didn’t matter that she was only twenty-eight years old because she felt all of Caine’s three hundred fifty years of waiting through their bond.

She’d hardly slept after they had finished making all the plans. Her sisters had gone with her to visit Beladora where she found a crystal-encrusted work of art. The strapless dress hugged her body from her chest to her ankles and every inch was covered with beads and pearls. Despite being off the rack, it was perfect.

She’d had more trouble finding the right shoes and had spent most of yesterday hopping from store to store. Finally, at the last stop she found a pair of Louboutin’s that were to die for. The brilliant red soles caught her eye immediately, but it was the crystal-embellished suede pumps that took her shoe fetish to a whole new level. The ladylike peep toe, the studded-all over crystals, and the six-inch heel…oh my! While she may have fallen in love with Caine, a female could fall in love with shoes, too, right? They’d cost her as much as the dress, but she had to have them. And for once, her sisters had agreed with her on the perfection of her choice in footwear.

She was anxious about leaving the final set-up and arrangements to Courtney and the sprites. She was typically the one to put the final stamp on everything, and this, of all nights, mattered most to her, but they had promised her they wouldn’t disappoint. She took a deep breath, reassuring herself that this was going to be perfect.

Her thoughts jumped to a bigger issue that had been lingering in the back of her mind all day. She knew there were plenty of protections in place and prayed that neither Angelica nor Cele got as much as one hair through their barriers.

A knock at the door interrupted and their mother poked her head around the door. “Everyone is ready and waiting for you. Oh, sweetie, you look beautiful!” Their mother cooed, rushing to her side and drawing her in for a big hug.

“Thanks, mom. How’s dad?” Suvi asked. Their father had had a difficult time when their mother left him after she’d found her Fated Mate. They had been together for centuries. Suvi had to believe he would find his Fated Mate and happiness someday. She was glad that Braeden’s brother had taken him under his wing in his construction business, giving their father a new start.

“Your dad is beaming with pride and I swear I saw tears in his eyes, but don’t tell him I told you that. I’ll tell them five more minutes,” their mother said as she kissed her cheek and turned around to look at her sisters. “I have the most beautiful daughters in the Tehrex Realm. And, I’m not just saying that because I’m your mom,” she croaked, her eyes filling with tears.

Pema crossed to their mom and drew her into a hug. “Thanks, mom. Go tell dad that Suvi will be out shortly.” Suvi was so glad to see that her sister had repaired her relationship with their mother. There had been a time after their mom’s mating that Pema refused to speak to her and wouldn’t even be in the same room as their mom. Pema had harbored hatred toward their mother for causing their father so much pain when she left, but after she found her own mate, she understood the dynamics of the mating compulsion, and eventually forgave her.

As their mom left the room, Isis looked Suvi over. “Little bit more lip gloss,” Isis observed and took out the tube and swiped more of the sticky substance across her lips. “Okay, now you’re perfect.”

Suvi smiled up at her sister, stood up and walked over to the full-length mirror. She gazed at her reflection with satisfaction. “With this dress and these shoes, it would be hard not to look amazing,” she replied, turning to see the side view. The sparkle and shine of her dress and shoes made her burst with excitement.

She’d imagined this day since she was a little girl and every time she’d thought about it there had always been glitter, glam and high-heels. The fact that her sisters, her parents and all the people that mattered most were there to share this day meant the world to her. Not to mention that she was mating the male of her dreams. She was bubbling over with anticipation as she turned back to her sisters.

“Ready?” Pema smiled and grabbed her hand. Suvi felt the stone that was now embedded into her sister’s palm. Isis grabbed her other hand and she felt her stone, as well. She would have one in her palm soon. A symbol of the completion of her mating and the strength of her power. Their collective power flared, making the lights flicker and energy fizzed through her veins. This was the crux of who they were…the power of three.

“I couldn’t be more ready,” she declared, smiling at them both.

“This is going to be one hell of a party,” Isis crooned as she followed Suvi to the backyard. Her sister wasn’t wrong about that.

Their father was waiting for her in the kitchen and her mother had been right. There was the tell-tale sheen to his eyes. “You look perfect, Sweetpea,” he told her as he carefully kissed her cheek.

“Thanks, daddy. You look pretty spiffy yourself. All the females will swoon over you tonight.” Their father blushed and she had to admit that he was a great-looking male with his dark-brown hair and green eyes. He was quite the catch, in her opinion.

“You are beautiful, too, Pumpkin,” he said, giving Pema a kiss on the cheek. “And, you too, Hurricane,” he added, giving Isis a kiss on the cheek, as well. Suvi smiled at the nickname he had given Isis at birth. His term of endearment had come from Isis’ command of any room. Their parents had always told them that, even from birth, Isis had the attention of everyone around her. Over the years, the term came to mean more as they came to understand her ability to absorb the emotions of others and it was an even more perfect fit.

“Love you, too, dad. See you out there, Suvi,” Isis said as she headed out the door.

“Remember to breathe,” Pema uttered the last bit of advice before she was gone.

“C’mon, baby girl, your mate has been waiting long enough for you.” She turned to her father and managed a nod before he took her arm. She stepped into the backyard and immediately her gaze traveled to the gazebo and stopped when she saw Caine. He was standing with Zander in the middle of their deck and, he was, simply put, breathtaking.

She didn’t see the many friends and family that had gathered around, consumed as she was by the sight of Caine in a three piece black tuxedo. He was undoubtedly the best looking male on the planet. His black hair fell into his green eyes. He rocked the scruffy hair with the immaculate Armani suit. He smiled when he saw her and everything in her settled into place. This was where she was meant to be, with this male.

Her legs were shaking as her father walked her toward her future. Electricity arched between them the moment her dad put her hand into Caine’s. She kissed her dad’s cheek and saw one tear had fallen from his eye. He averted his gaze and quickly retreated.

Her heart raced with her anticipation. This was the moment she had been waiting for. Caine shared a knowing look with her before they turned to face Zander. Only then did she realize that the Vampire King was dressed in a Scottish kilt. The outfit would have looked comical on anyone but this male. On him, and his brothers, she conceded, it was anything but a skirt. On them, the black and grey Scottish finery screamed masculinity.

“Friends, and family, please form a circle around the couple,” Zander instructed. Caine’s mother smiled at her as she stepped up beside them. She had met her and his father the night before and had instantly loved them. And, Ellis and Ava had come bearing gifts for Donovan, proving that they were indeed going to spoil him rotten. Her sisters, their mates and their parents, along with Donovan, completed their inner circle. Braeden’s brother, Griffin, and their parents, along with the Dark Warriors, comprised the next circle. She was pleasantly surprised to see Nate and Angus at the ceremony. Nate winked at her, making her smile.

Once the circles were formed and all had joined hands, the ceremony commenced. Zander cleared his throat and Suvi wondered if he was nervous. He had only performed one other ceremony, for Jace and his mate. “We have gathered here to join these individuals, under the eye of the Sun and the glow of the Moon. Let the circle be blessed and consecrated with Fire and Water.” Zander motioned to her sisters.

Pema and Isis pointed their wands at the concrete and both chanted, “
Dóiteáin
.” A blaze encircled them and the fire rose from the earth to the heavens, concealing them from their guests. Through the flames, Suvi watched, as with a flourish, her sisters pointed their wands at the pool and chanted, “
Uisge
.” A fine mist of water rose from the nearby swimming pool to flow around the outskirts of the fire. With a flick of their wrists, the mist blew inward, extinguishing the fire.

Zander continued the ceremony. “We call to the Goddess Morrigan, and invoke her to bless this mating.” He paused and raised his hands to the full moon above. Suvi could feel the Goddess’ presence in the air around them, despite her absence. She’d heard that she had made an appearance at Zander’s mating and wondered what that must have been like. Part of her was relieved the Goddess didn’t show up at all the ceremonies because she was nervous as it was, and if she had shown up, Suvi may have passed out from hyperventilating.

“We call upon the spirits of the East, of Air, Spring and new beginnings. We call upon the spirits of the South and the inner Fire of the Sun, Summer and personal will. We call upon the spirits of the West, of Water, Autumn, and healing and dreaming. We call upon the spirits of the North, of Earth, Winter, and the time of cleansing and renewal. Join us to bless this couple with your guidance and inspiration,” Zander recited. Emotion choked Suvi while magic enveloped her and Caine. She watched love for her swell in Caine’s eyes and she allowed her own feelings to be seen in her brown depths.

Zander turned to Donovan. “You have the stone, lad?” He ruffled her nephew’s hair.

Donovan lifted an intricately carved wooden box and held it up. “Yes, sir. It’s in here, safe and sound,” he said proudly.

Zander opened the lid and removed the ordinary rock. He placed it in her hand then wrapped Caine’s hand around hers, both surrounding the stone. Caine grabbed her left hand and placed it on his chest, over his heart, then placed his left hand over hers.

“I bless this mating under the Sun and the Moon. This circle of love and honour is open and never broken, so may it be,” Zander’s voice resonated with his blessing.

Heat built in the stone as she felt both souls leave her body to enter the stone. A brilliant green light flashed between their fingers and her skin tingled with the magic, automatically absorbing some of the energy. The connection she felt to Caine intensified, and she could now see the bond between them. A million golden threads wrapped around her heart and ran to his, entwining them. Their combined souls surged back into her body at that moment and she knew right away that she would carry part of Caine with her for all time. She was aware of his thoughts, every naughty one, as well as, the love he felt for her.

Her sisters had told her that she would feel complete in a way she’d never been before, but the reality of it was so much more than that, and yet, beyond explanation. What she didn’t expect was the fulfillment of her full magic. She finally understood the prophecy and how it could be believed that she and her sisters would reform the face of witchcraft. The power coursing through her veins was that staggering. It was pure and untainted and so strong that it couldn’t be contained within one being. She glanced briefly to her sisters and knew they had felt the same thing with her being the third and final piece to their puzzle.

She was prepared for the pain when it hit, but it still took her breath and had her heart racing. Caine had been warned about what would happen with their stone and kept hold of her hand, initiating their mental link.
I’m here with you, love. It will pass.
She felt him wrap her in his embrace as the light flared, then subsided. The pain subsided, leaving behind all the tender emotions she had come to discover since meeting Caine.

She heard the Goddess’ voice whisper in her head. “
No power, not even death, can ever sever this bond. Mating stones protect and bless different aspects for different couples. Yours blesses and protects your magical power. The time to fulfill your prophecy is near
.
It will require the power of six to beat your enemy.
” Suvi was right about her reaction when she began having difficulty breathing. The Goddess was in her head and she couldn’t form a single thought to reply to her. She heard a tinkling of laughter and the Goddess was once again speaking. “
Don’t worry, I know.
”

A sense of calm spread through her body and she knew the Goddess was the reason. Suvi took a deep breath and allowed her curiosity to win out as she raised one, and then all, of her fingers. A beautiful emerald was embedded into her palm. It matched her vampire’s eyes. She looked up and into those emerald depths. Heat was blazing back at her. It was going to be a long party, she thought, as Zander completed the ceremony.