Page 105 of Beyond the Darkness

He couldn’t wait for November.

They left the shop and walked down the street. The city around them was vibrant, alive with the hustle and bustle of people going about their daily lives, yet none of them knew of the magical world just beneath the surface, where dragons and magic were part of everyday existence.

Kit’s mind buzzed with thoughts about the wedding and the Halloween Bash. Apart from his own costume and wedding attire, they needed to finalize the guest list for the wedding, order the cake, and set up bi-weekly meetings with their event planner for final touches. It was overwhelming but thrilling. Things were falling into place perfectly.

Several months later

IT WAS his wedding day, and mother of all had time flown and dragged simultaneously. Kit gazed out from the grand bay window in the bridal suite.

The Monarch Hotel exuded sophistication through its intricate architecture and sparkling windows that caught the moon’s silvery light. Outside, under strings of delicate fairy lights that lit up the dark, sprawling garden, their guests gathered for cocktails.

The scent of fresh roses filled the air, their vibrant red petals echoing the room’s color scheme. Cascading crystals sparkled from towering centerpieces on each dining table, adding a touch of opulence to the already lavish setting.

It was a night unlike any other, where reality blurred, and fantasy became a tangible experience.

When the cocktail hour was over, and guests were escorted into the grand ballroom, a breathtaking sight would greet them. The hotel’s ceiling had been draped in sumptuous silks of deep blood red and crisp white, creating a rich and regal atmosphere. Everywhere one looked, arches and gilded columns were adorned with a profusion of red and white roses, their delicate petals seemingly dripping from every surface.

Kit had toured the venue earlier and was ecstatic with the results. It was a fairy tale come true.

Kit smiled and softly chuckled as he remembered Hudson’s lackluster reaction to his explanation months ago ofthe traditional rule of not seeing the bride before the wedding. Hello grumpy dragon.

Hudson had argued but to no avail. He’d then rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief, when he’d seen he was not going to win that argument. He’d freely admitted he didn’t understand the significance or necessity of such a tradition, but for Kit, he’d give in.

But there was a catch. And the catch was that Hudson would allow Kit to travel to the venue without them if he had Stella and Beckett ride with him because they were the only other Ancients in their court.

“What’s so funny, hon?” Grace asked.

Kit turned to his mom. “I was just thinking about Hudson’s reaction when I told him that he couldn’t see me before the wedding.”

Chris shook his head. “Bet that was one unhappy dragon.”

“But didn’t you say that Connie was perfectly okay with it?” Michail asked.

“Well, I don’t know that I’d say he was okay with it,” Kit said. “It was more like he knew he wasn’t going to win that argument.”

Chris let out a derisive snort. “You have that man whipped.”

“Excuse me?” Grace shot him a sharp look, her tone laced with irritation. “Whipped, you say? Because he chose to fulfill his mate’s wishes on their wedding day? Is that what you consider being ‘whipped’?”

The color drained from Chris’s face as he realized what he’d just done.

Michail’s lips curled into a smug smirk as he looked at his mate. “Now you’ve done it.”

Grace wagged a finger at Chris. “I’ll deal with you later.”

Chris hastily tried to backtrack. “Maybe whipped was the wrong word choice.”

Michail couldn’t contain his laughter. “You think?”

“Oh, I see. It was the wrong word choice, huh? Then what word would you use in place of whipped?”

“A little help here would be appreciated, mate,” Chris said desperately to Michail.

Michail shook his head. “Oh, you dug that hole all on your own. No way am I climbing into it with you.”

Chris opened his mouth and then shut it. “You know what? I’m just going to quit talking.”

“Good idea,” Grace said, returning her attention to Kit. “Anyway, as I was saying, I think it’s sweet. He loves you. He loves you enough to respect your traditions, even if he doesn’t understand them. That’s what counts. Isn’t that right, Chris?”

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