Page 56 of Angel Condemned

Axton

Icouldn’t knot the freaking tie and tore it off me. Why did humans have to make such blasted pieces of clothing.

“Problems?” Samantha, Knox's mate poked her head behind the curtain. “I could hear you grumbling from down the hallway.”

“I can’t get the tie thing to work. It feels like it’s choking me.”

“You know, you can wear Angeliminir robes.” She waddled into the chamber. The twins she was carrying were expected any day now.

“No, I want to surprise Jody.” She wanted a human wedding and while we were still on my home planet, this was the best I could do for her. Let her have the memory of a wedding like she always dreamed of.

“I think Jody will be happy no matter what you wear.” Samantha smiled, but took the tie from me and knotted it around my throat.

“How do your human males breathe like this.” I yanked at the material.

“Stop.” She slapped my hand. “Or you’ll loosen it too much and I’ll have to redo it.”

“How is my future son-in-law doing?” Jody’s father strolled in.

He walked with the aid of a cane, but his healing would be complete in another few weeks. But his skin color was vibrant and no longer ashen and his cheeks had filled out some. It was good to see him recovering. He and mother were spending a lot of time together. It was good seeing both of them happy.

I wanted Jody happy and to wipe away the horrors she witnessed at the prison. All this ceremony was for her sake. I’d rather sweep her up to our room and declare she was mine for all time. Finally bring us both pleasure that we’d denied ourselves for too damn long.

Then Jody’s father cleared his throat, his eyebrow arching.

“Sorry, what was the question?”

“He’s nervous.” Samantha smirked.

“I am not.” I wiped at my brow. The jacket I wore pulled across my wings. Fucking shit! I thought I was going to suffocate before I even made it to the wedding.

“Best way to get rid of nerves is to dive right in.” Jody’s father patted me on the shoulder.

“Ben?” Alva, my mother called. “What’s taking so long?”

“Just giving some last minute advice.” He winked at me. “I’ve got to go to Jody, but I’ll see you at the altar.”

I nodded, my stomach twisting.

Knox and I went down to the courtyard. There the women had woven an arch of flowers. Next Samantha came down the aisle. Then our singers sang about star-crossed lovers as Jody, dressed in creamy-white, walked toward me with her arm in her father’s. Her smile jolted me. She was so beautiful, and she was all mine.

Alva asked some questions and Jody’s father answered, but I had no idea what they said.

I took Jody’s hand when her dad offered it. I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and fly her to our room. She’d spent the last week either with my mom or Samantha or one of the other ladies and I hadn’t had a moment alone with her in forever it seemed.

“Do you take this woman as your wife?” Alva asked.

“Of course.”

Jody’s dad cleared his throat.

“I mean, yes, I do.”

We finished our vows and I kissed Jody. Her lips tasting like sweet honeyed wine.

“Mind if we skip the afterparty?” I asked, nibbling on her lips.

“You mean the reception? We can’t.” But then she pressed her body to mine. “I’ve missed you so much.”

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