Page 76 of Blades of Ice

“I feel like one. Now, I’m ready to see my prince.”

“Just one more thing.” Sophia held out her hand. “Help me up.” When Lydia pulled her to her feet, Sophia walked over to where her purse was and dug around inside until she pulled out a small box. “I know this isn’t a traditional wedding, but I thought you needed something blue besides your dress.”

Lydia opened the lid. “Oh, Mom. They’re gorgeous.” Inside was a pair of sapphire earrings. She removed the silver ones from her ears and replaced them with her gift. “Thank you.”

Sophia cupped Lydia’s face. “Now, you’re ready to see your prince.”

They set up for the ceremony in her parents’ backyard since the Georgia weather was sunny and mild. What Lydia thought would be a simple gathering where she and Beck stood in front of a few people turned into something much more extravagant. Rows of chairs sat on either side of an aisle with white rose petals strewn down the path. Nikolas insisted on walking Lydia to meet her mate who waited with Luna beneath an elaborate arch straight out of a fantasy movie. The arch itself was vines wovenin intricate patterns, and it was adorned with polar bear dahlias. Lydia had no idea where Luna found the icy blue flowers, but they were perfect.

Even more perfect? The magnificent male waiting for her. Her mate wore a silver suit with a blue vest that matched Lydia’s dress. His shirt was gray, and his tie was embroidered with the same designs as her belt. Luna had been busy since she and Lydia discussed the ceremony less than three weeks ago.

Nikolas handed Lydia off to Beck with a kiss to her cheek, and they faced one another with joined hands. Luna, holding blue cords and silver ribbons, stepped closer.

“Today, we come together as friends, family, and Clanmates, to share in the handfasting of Sawyer Beckett and Lydia Stone. Although they are mated, they wish to be joined in the ways of old. We stand with Beck and Lydia, we honor them with our friendship, we surround them with our love and blessings as they begin their journey together.” Luna wrapped the first blue cord around their hands. “I call on the element of air. May it bless you with courage and wisdom.” Next she added a silver ribbon. “I call on the element of fire. May it bless you with love and passion.” The second blue cord wound across the first one. “I call upon the element of water. May it bless you with friendship and harmony.” Finally, the second silver ribbon was added. “I call upon the element of earth. May it bless you with health and happiness.”

Luna placed one of her hands atop theirs and the other below. “Beck and Lydia, as your hands are bound together, now, so are your lives. Be as the sun and moon, a constant source of light for each other. Be as the earth below, a solid foundation for each other. May the goddess and gods watch over you until your souls travel on to your next journey.” She pulled on the ropes and ribbons, and they fell away. “By the goddess, so moteit be. Now, before we get to that all-important kiss, Beck has something for Lydia.”

Beck released one of her hands and dug into the inner pocket of his jacket. “Lydia, my mate, you bear the mark of our mating on your shoulder, and I would be honored if you would wear a symbol of our ceremony on your finger.” In his palm was a band of alternating diamonds and sapphires. Beck lifted her left hand and slid it on her ring finger. “This ring has no beginning and no ending. It is an ongoing symbol of the love I have for you. Whenever you look at it, you will know you are loved and treasured, from now until my star burns out.” Beck lifted her hand and kissed the ring.

“I have something for you too.” Luna handed over the ring she convinced Lydia to buy. Sliding the platinum band on his beefy finger, she smiled through happy tears. “Sawyer, my mate, you bear the mark of our mating in your veins. We are connected in a way time nor distance can destroy. Our bond is unbreakable, and as a symbol of my love for you, I offer this ring. When you see it, know that I am with you, heart and soul, until my star burns out and beyond.” Instead of waiting for Luna to give her the go ahead, she pulled Beck’s head down and kissed him softly.

“I guess my job here is done,” Luna teased. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Lydia and Sawyer Stone.”

There were several gasps and a few “say whats?” Then there was shouting and applause as they were surrounded by her parents first. Beck had shocked Lydia when he asked if he could take her last name, making Beckett his middle name since he didn’t want to lose the connection to his father. Lydia loved the idea. He explained that her family had already shown him more love in a few days than his ever had, and he wanted to honor them in taking on the Stone surname.

Sophia cupped Lydia’s cheek. “That was beautiful. Now let’s have cake and champagne really quick.”

“What’s the hurry?” Lydia asked.

Sophia turned around, and Lydia gasped. “Mom!” The back of her dress was soaked.

“What’s wrong?” Nikolas asked.

“Mom’s water broke. How did you not know that? Didn’t you feel her discomfort?”

“I thought she was emotional watching you get hitched.”

“Hell’s bells.” Carleigh pointed at her father who was filming the ceremony and after party. “I hope you got that on video.”

Julian winked. “Sure did.”

Sophia grabbed her bulging stomach. “Uh, Gorgeous? I don’t think I have time for the hospital. Gio wants to join the festivities.”

“Fuckin’ hell,” Nikolas said, using Carleigh’s favorite words. He picked Sophia up and carried her toward the house. “Why did Dante and Isabelle have to move to New York?”

Connor, who was there with his mate Alyssa, cleared his throat. “What am I, chopped liver?” The normally quiet cousin rolled his eyes and told Alyssa, “I’ll be right back. I have a baby to deliver.” Alyssa’s giggles tinkled along the air. Not only was Connor a brilliant scientist and famous artist, he was also a medical doctor. Carleigh’s mom, Kat, disappeared into the house to be there for her best friend.

Cailín strolled up, followed by her two dads. “What’s the plan? Are we going to hang out and wait for Gio to join us?”

Lydia knew her mom wouldn’t want that, so she whistled loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Gio’s birth could take a few hours. While we wait, let’s eat and drink champagne. We’ll wait to cut the cake. If she takes too long popping out my brother, I’ll save her a piece.”

“Party!” Cailín shouted, and with that, Julian started the playlist Lydia and Beck had chosen for the reception.

Beck, along with the other males, moved the chairs out of the way, then brought in the tables. When they were finished, Kennedy and the females set the decorations on the tables and uncovered the buffet dishes waiting off to the side. Jasper and Trevor poured champagne, and the party got underway. Locke spent his time going between his parents’ bedroom and the backyard, keeping everyone updated on Sophia’s progress for the few humans in attendance who didn’t have shifter hearing and weren’t aware of Sophia cursing Nikolas every contraction.

Five hours later, Dooley and Kennedy had been introduced to their new Clan. The food had been demolished, the champagne bottles emptied, thus bringing out the liquor, and everyone was danced out. That led to Lydia, Beck, Dooley, Kennedy, and Jon recounting the tale of their Alaskan adventure. When Lydia mentioned a flamethrower, Cailín shouted, “No fuckin’ way!” and Trevor goosed her side.

“Language, young lady.”

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