Aubreigne Read online

  Murder looked over at Deaumanique. “How are you this morning? Are you nervous?” he asked Deaumanique.

  Deaumanique turned her body just enough to be able to glance at him over her shoulder. “I’m beginning to feel nervous. But not because of the wedding, it’s because of all the people who’ll be there watching. Every eye will be on me, and that’s something that really puts me on edge,” she explained.

  “I will be there, and your mother. And Shane will not allow anyone to stare too long, he’s a bit possessive from what I’ve seen,” Murder said with a smile.

  Deaumanique nodded, and met his gaze again. “Thank you for agreeing to give me away. You’ve always been there for us, there’s no one else I’d have wanted at my side to give me to my husband this day,” Deaumnique said sincerely.

  “I’m honored, Deaumanique. I look forward to it,” Murder said. Then he looked at Aubreigne before letting his eyes drift around the living room of the cottage again before taking his leave. “I’ll see you when you arrive.”

  “Thank you,” Aubreigne said.

  ~~~

  Lucitari had finished dressing, and was weaving Bliss’s hair into a complicated braid complete with flowers and ribbons in it when Murder arrived home.

  “Daddy! Look! I have flowers in my hair!” Bliss exclaimed.

  “I see that. It’s very beautiful,” he said, lifting his daughter from the floor to hug her and kiss her cheek. “Everyone may forget to look at the bride with you there stealing their attention away,” he said, snuggling the petite seven year old once more before putting her down.

  “How was everything?” Luci asked.

  “Just as I suspected. We put it all to rights, returned everything to its rightful owners, and Aubreigne is none the wiser she was the recipient of stolen goods once again. Though, I suspect she is aware that he’s back,” Murder explained.

  “I know that she’s our friend, and yours from long before I knew her, but I think you underestimate her. She is not only half Siren, but half Demon as well. She can more than hold her own,” Lucitari said, trying to assuage his fear.

  Murder sighed. “I know that, but this isn’t just any male. This is The Dark One. I’ve experience with him, he is extremely dangerous.”

  “You forget she has experience with him as well,” Lucitari answered.

  “You are right,” Murder finally conceded. He looked at his mate, who sat calmly, smiling lovingly at him. He walked over to her and held out his hand for Lucitari to place her hand in his. When she did, he pulled her up from her seat to stand with him, and held her gently against himself. “You are as beautiful as the stars in the sky. I never tire of looking at you,” he said, pressing his lips to hers.

  “Nor I you,” she answered. “But, if we’re going to be on time, you need to get dressed. And perhaps another bath before you dress.”

  Murder’s brows came down over his eyes. “I bathed before bed last night.”

  “Yes, but now you scent of smoked meat. What exactly was stolen?” she asked.

  “Two smoked haunches of wild boar, dried fishes, and several dozen pounds of shellfish from Simon’s traps.”

  “I see. That’s why you should bathe again. I can smell it all on you. You must have been carrying it close to you,” Luci said, kissing his lips before stepping away from him.

  “I was. And I’ll bathe,” he agreed, grabbing her for another kiss and stepping away.

  “Bliss and I will mist there, so that you can go for Aubreigne and Deaumanique,” Lucitari said, confirming their already made plans for arrival at Deaumanique and Shane’s wedding.

  “It’s not necessary. Aubreigne refused my offer. They prefer to walk there, taking their time and enjoying the scenery of The Dark One as he stalks them,” Murder snarked.

  Luci laughed. “Ah, Murder, you should have more faith than that. The Dark One does not stand a chance against Aubreigne. No matter his power, hers against him is greater.”

  “I hope you are right,” Murder said, leaving their living room on the way to the bathroom.

  “I am. Stop being all big, dangerous, formidable male for one moment, and you’ll remember how she brought him to his knees when all you and Gaston could do was battle him to no end.”

  Murder tossed a ‘really?’ look over his shoulder as he walked into the bathroom. “Do not leave without me. I won’t be long,” he said, closing the door behind him.

  “We’ll wait,” Lucitari said, as she picked up the ribbons and hairpins she’d used in her daughter’s hair.

  “Bliss, where are you?” Luci called out to the child that had run off to her own room the moment her mother finished with her hair.

  “I’m here!” Bliss called from her bedroom. “Don’t get dirty, we’ll be leaving shortly!” Luci called back.

  Bliss looked down at the berry juice splashed across the front of her dress. She wrinkled her nose and wiggled her fingers at it. As her deep blue mists dissipated, they took the stain with them. Bliss smiled and popped another berry into her mouth. “I won’t!” she called out to her mother.

  ~~~

  When Lucitari, Murder, and Bliss misted into the expansive clearing between Enthrall’s and Destroy’s homes, they found a flurry of activity. Even before the mists dissipated, Boon and Zeke were calling Bliss’s name.

  Bliss gathered up her skirts and took one step toward them before looking up at her mother. “Can I?” she asked.

  “Do not get dirty. No running, no climbing trees, no anything that will ruin your clothes or get you dirty today,” Lucitari warned.

  “Yes, Momma,” Bliss said, before taking a new grip on her skirts and running over to where Boon and Zeke were poking at something with long sticks. The three of them, along with Marauder, were always into something.

  Luci looked around to see if there was anywhere she could be of use. Spying Marauder and Saige watching through their living room window and the confines of their home, she decided to check there first. “I’m going to see if Rowan needs any help,” Luci said.

  “Very well, my love,” Murder said, kissing her lips before she left his side to go to Destroy and Rowan’s home.

  She tapped on the door and waited.

  Marauder opened the door and smiled at her. “Hi. My Mama’s cooking.”

  “Hello,” Luci responded. “Do you think she needs some help?”

  “I hope so. Because if you can help her, we can go outside faster,” he answered.

  Luci laughed. “Well, I’ll certainly try.” Luci stepped inside when Marauder opened the door wider and moved back to invite her in. “Rowan?” she called out.

  “In the kitchen,” Rowan answered.

  Lucitari walked into the kitchen and found Rowan surrounded by huge serving dishes of food, while she stood at the stove and stirred another pot. “I think that’s plenty,” Luci said.

  “I didn’t make it all, I just volunteered my kitchen to keep the dishes hot. Enthrall and Felicity have just as much in their kitchen as well. Anyone who wanted to contribute just dropped off food yesterday and this morning. All I’ve done is keep it warm and ready for today,” Rowan said.

  “Do you need help with anything?” Luci asked.

  “I’m pretty much ready. I was just checking on everything one last time,” Rowan said. “But when it’s time to place the food outside, I would appreciate your help then.”

  “Consider me helping then,” Luci said.

  Rowan wiped her hands on her apron, then untied it and draped it over the back of a chair. “Has everyone arrived?” she asked, walking over to the window and looking out.

  “Oh, yes. It’s very busy out there,” Luci answered.

  “What time is Murder bringing Deaumanique and Aubreigne?” Rowan asked.

  “He’s not, they decided they’d rather take their time and have a relaxing walk here.”

  “I can understand that,” Rowan said.

  “Me, too. But, Murder’s not quite as understanding,” Luci said.

&
nbsp; “Why’s that?” Rowan asked.

  “Because The Dark One is back, or so he believes. More foodstuffs were stolen last night and placed at Aubreigne’s home. They were recovered and returned before Aubreigne saw them, but Murder thinks she’s aware he’s back anyway.”

  “The idea that he’s here frightens me,” Rowan confessed. “I’m just a witch, there’s not much I could do against him.”

  “Hah! You saved a Windigo, turning him back into a man. How many witches are that powerful?” Luci said.

  Rowan smiled demurely. “Yes, I did, didn’t I? I forget that sometimes.”

  “How could you forget that?”

  Rowan shrugged. “Since settling here, and mating Destroy, I don’t hear the voices that used to plague me. I don’t see the shadows and spirits trying to gain my attention any longer.”

  “The animals still come to you,” Rauder said, from his spot listening on the sofa.

  “They do. That’s true,” Rowan agreed.

  Lucitari looked at Rowan, really looked at her and opened herself to ‘feel’ Rowan, then nodded. “It’s not that you’ve lost strength, it’s that you’ve gained control. You keep them all at bay now, when before you were completely at their mercy. You’ve strengthened, not weakened.”

  Rowan smiled and looked at Lucitari. “That does make me feel a little better.”

  “You should practice more now that you can control it better. Your powers are simmering just under the surface,” Lucitari explained.

  “I will. Thank you, Lucitari.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, if you’re done inside for the moment, let’s get ready for the bride to arrive. They should be here any minute.”

  “I guess we should get outside then. I don’t want to spoil their arrival,” Rowan said.

  “Bliss is already out there with Boon and Zeke. All the chairs have been placed, and the tables for the reception are in place. There are flowers and lace and ribbon everywhere,” Luci said.

  “Well, let’s join them,” Rowan said. “Rauder, Saige? Are you ready to go?”

  “Yeessss!” Marauder drawled, like it had been pure torture to wait inside while his friends had been outside without him.

  “I’m ready!” Saige said, jumping off the sofa and running toward her mother.

  “Let’s go, then,” Rowan said.

  Chapter 5

  Luci and Rowan followed the kids outside onto the porch and then over toward where everything was set up. It was beautiful. There were ribbons and lace fluttering from the trees that surrounded the area as well as the porches of both Enthrall’s and Destroy’s homes. There were multiple chairs all spaced out comfortably from one another, equally placed on each side of a makeshift aisle. They’d been arranged to face the flowered arch where Lore would lead Deaumanique and Shane in their vows. The aisle had been created by littering the ground Deaumanique would walk down with a carpet of red and orange fall leaves, with a spattering of flower petals on top. The tables that would hold the food and drink were decorated as well, and all sitting off to the side, nearer to Destroy’s home, unused for now except for the stacks of dishes that sat waiting to be used.

  “Hi!” Felicity called from the front row of chairs where she stood speaking with Serafina.

  Lucitari waved back, and together she and Rowan walked over to them and easily fell into the conversation.

  A few moments longer and Phrygia arrived with Gaston and Anton in tow.

  Luci looked over toward them and smiled warmly. Phrygia was deliriously happy and it was apparent. She’d let her hair grow out over the last few years, her face had finally lost some of the constant strain it wore, and instead she laughed easily and often. Luci lifted a hand, waving her over.

  “This is beautiful!” Phrygia called out as she walked toward them.

  “It is! I wonder how they got the ribbons and lace so high in the trees,” Rowan said.

  “It was me!” Lore said from a few feet away, his chin lifted in the air, his arm draped casually over Evangeline’s shoulders.

  “Like I had nothing to do with it,” Enthrall snarked at his side.

  “It’s a very nice touch,” Rowan said. “You both did well.”

  “Thank you,” Enthrall answered.

  “Just wait until you see the cake. The cake… that is all me,” Lore said, as a glass of tea he wasn’t supposed to have yet materialized in his hand and he raised an eyebrow at them as he took a sip.

  “Which is what worries me. I still think that perhaps we should have made one, just in case whatever you have planned doesn’t pan out,” Enthrall said.

  “Have I ever not come through?” Lore asked.

  “Well, let me see,” Enthrall said, lifting a hand to start counting on his fingers.

  “I didn’t say have I never had difficulties in getting to the desired ending. I said, have I ever not achieved what I set out to do?” Lore asked indignantly.

  “I cannot say that you have,” Murder said, striding up beside Lore.

  “Thank you!” Lore answered exuberantly. “They will be most pleased with their cake, or, cakes, and things,” Lore commented.

  “Still can’t believe you’re allowing Lore to marry them,” Destroy said, walking up with Saige perched on his hip — she was a Daddy’s girl through and through.

  “Why not?” Gaston asked, having stepped up to join the group of males when his mate joined the females.

  “He’s Lore,” Destroy said.

  “And I’ve been worshiped in one form or fashion since the beginning of time!” Lore said.

  “And with that note, I’m going to join the women,” Evangeline said with a quirk of a smile.

  “Of course, my Angel. I will be right here,” Lore said, dropping a kiss on her cheek and smiling as he watched her walk toward where his sister and the other women gathered.

  “You’ve also been hated by a few civilizations, too,” Destroy said, bringing them back to the subject at hand.

  “They had no sense of humor. Besides, it is within my power to perform the ritual of marriage and bestow sanctity upon it. That is what I shall do. And the cake,” he said, reiterating the part about the cake as he turned away from Destroy, obviously dismissing him and looking for someone else to speak to.

  “Gods, he’s talking about the cake again,” Destroy said, walking over to Felicity. “Did you make a cake, just in case?” he asked her on a whisper.

  Felicity looked around to make sure none of the other males were watching and gave a slight nod.

  “Thank goodness!” Destroy said, shaking his head as he glanced back at Lore. While actually close friends, Destroy and Lore loved to hate one another. Regardless of their loyalty to one another and need to commune often, they loved to pick at one another, to the point of irritation.

  Carnage’s main reason for wanting to come to this wedding was the cake that was usually served at weddings. He’d heard the questions about cake, and was concerned. He’d been standing watch over Boon, Zeke, Rauder, and Bliss as they played, and now decided it was time to round them up.

  “’Mon! Sit,” he said, gesturing toward the chairs that had been set out for the guests and the ceremony.

  Grumbling ensued, but they all did as Carnage said. Very few people dared to defy Carnage, unless their name was Carolena.

  “Has anyone seen her dress?” Carolena asked, standing beside Evangeline and Felicity where the rest of the women stood only a few feet away from the males.

  “No. Only Serafina and Aubreigne have seen it, but I’m sure it’s beautiful!” Felicity answered.

  “It’s my best work,” Serafina said proudly. “I can’t wait for her to arrive. She looks stunning in it.”

  Carnage sidled up beside Carolena who stood next to Felicity. “Noo cake?” he asked in a harsh whisper right at her ear.

  “Lore is providing the cake,” Carolena explained.

  Carnage looked over at Lore, then the table the cake was supposed to be displayed on.

  He
narrowed his eyes and his chest rumbled as he wandered over to take his seat a row back from the front, being sure to allow the front rows for Enthrall’s family, and for Aubreigne and Murder’s family.

  “We should get ready,” Murder said, pausing as he walked away from the men, and past the women to kiss Luci as he moved away from the gathering to stand at the path where its opening into the clearing had been festooned with lace and ribbons as well.

  Everyone took their seats, as Lore, Shane, and Seth and Lily took their places beneath the flowered arch that would serve as place central for the ceremony. Lily watched where they anticipated Aubreigne and Deaumanique to arrive. As soon as Lily saw Aubreigne step off the path into the clearing and hurry toward her seat in the front row, smiling brightly and offering little waves of greeting as she approached her seat, Lily started singing. Deaumanique had confessed that ‘To Love, To Have, To Hold’ was her favorite song and made her think of Shane, so it was agreed that Lily would sing it for them that day as she stood as witness for Deaumanique, as Seth did for Shane.

  Enthrall stood from his seat as Aubreigne approached and hugged her, kissed her cheek and helped her get situated in her chair, before going back to his own. He’d have helped any single woman into her chair — it was the gentlemanly thing to do, but after today, they’d be family. Deaumanique and Shane were tying their families together forever.

  Lore was smiling proudly, watching Lily raise her voice in song. In truth, the girl had a beautiful voice — it was a trait she’d always had no matter who she’d been over time. Lore heard the murmurings as Deaumanique stepped into the clearing, her hand on Murder’s arm as he escorted her to her soon-to-be husband.

  Seth smiled and leaned over to his best friend, murmuring something quietly in his ear. Shane nodded and responded with one word that could be easily read and heard by anyone paying attention. “Stunning.”

  Shane smiled and watched as the love of his life, Deaumanique, walked steadily toward him. He’d loved her for all his life, and finally convinced her to spend a little time with him. That was all it took, soon they were in love, and it only grew stronger over time. She’d been surprised when he proposed, but he’d known from the first time he’d met her after his Dad had brought him here to live, that Deaumanique would one day be his wife.