Page 107 of Beyond the Darkness

Together, they walked out of the bridal suite. As they approached the ornate doors separating them from their guests and Hudson and Connie, Kit swallowed. This was it—the moment of moments.

Kit’s dads stood there, waiting. Beckett hugged Kit, then disappeared inside the grand ballroom.

“Ready?” Chris asked as he positioned himself on the right of Kit.

“More than I can say.”

“We’re so happy for you,” Michail said, standing to the left of Kit.

“Do you know, even when I was little, I dreamed about having a big fancy wedding? I never could see my groom, though. Now I know I should’ve been looking for two of them.”

The music shifted subtly, picking up in tempo.

“That’s our cue to go.” With a deep breath, Kit waited for the wedding planner to open the big ornate doors.

Immediately, Kit saw that the walkway had been lined with more red and white roses. The crowd turned then, and together with his dads, he stepped out onto the path that would lead him to his destiny.

At the far end, Hudson and Connie stood before a massive arch filled with red and white roses.

Hudson adjusted his red vest with careful hands, the white duster fitting him perfectly. His long red hair was left loose, and there was a simple braid about his face.

The intricacies of the red scrollwork on Connie’s white suit were a perfect complement to the simplicity of Hudson’s white duster.

The music swelled into a beautiful melody. Smiling faces drifted past as Kit focused instead on where Hudson and Connie stood waiting for him at the altar. Hudson’s eyes were intense, filled with emotion and barely contained longing. Connie’s smile was reassuring and warm—it calmed Kit’s nerves immediately.

As Kit approached them, both men looked at him as though he was the treasure they often called him. Hudson’s stern expression broke into a radiant smile—one that lit up the entire room. Connie winked at Kit, his grin full of promise.

They stepped forward in unison as Chris and Michail handed Kit over. Hudson took Kit’s hand firmly in his own while Connie brushed a gentle kiss on Kit’s other hand.

“Ready?” Hudson whispered.

“Always,” Kit replied with certainty. “I love you both so very much.”

The officiant began speaking, her voice echoing softly throughout the hall. “We are gathered here today to celebrate not just a union, but a joining of hearts that have already been intertwined.”

Kit thought that was a nice way to say they were already bonded.

The ceremony continued, the message one of happiness. Then, it was time for the vows and the exchange of rings.

“Do you promise to love each other unconditionally?” the officiant asked.

“I do,” they each responded firmly, with no hesitation.

Then Kit cleared his throat. “As you both know, I own a bookstore. I have a love for fantasy worlds—knights of the realm, castles… and dragons that patrol the skies. What can I say? Fantasy is my escape. I love me some dragons.”

The humans in the crowd snickered, not understanding the meaning behind Kit’s words. But every paranormal there knewexactlywhat Kit meant.

“So, since the both of you know how absolutely crazy I am about dragons, you shouldn’t be surprised that I made up a vow having to do with just that.”

There were soft sighs from certain guests.

Holding Connie’s and Hudson’s hands, Kit faced Hudson. “Dragon flame and desire. My love withstood the dragon’s fire. That love is hot; may it burn higher and higher.” Kit slid the ruby and diamond ring on Hudson’s finger. “I accept you, Hudson Redmond, as mine.”

Hudson swallowed thickly. “My treasure.”

Then Kit turned toward Connie. “Dragon flame and desire. My love withstood the dragon’s fire. That love is hot; may it burn higher and higher.” Kit slid the ruby and diamond ring on Hudson’s finger. “I accept you, Conrad Turner, as mine.”

Connie’s lips trembled. “My love.”

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