Page 162 of Married to the Devil

When I teleport to our bedroom to get changed, it’s empty.

They didn’t change their minds, did they?I snort at my own foolishness. We didn’t go through what we’ve gone through for them to get cold feet.

I teleport up to the roof, still buttoning my cuff links even as the in-between shadows clear to display the crowd of people that go silent at my appearance.

Stella is before me before the embarrassment catches my breath.

The sight of her dress freezes me. It’s the same dress that nearly brought me to my knees when she walked down the aisle to the Devil. A confection of lace that clings to every curve of her body. She smiles and finishes buttoning a cuff link before fixing my hair.

“Right on time,” she breathes. “Glad you could make it, Mr. Barnes.”

I shake myself from my stupor. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Sorry I’m late.”

Her eyes sparkle, understanding what it is to get lost in one’s work. “The sun still hasn’t set. Shall we make this official?”

At my nod, the guests divide, and I swallow. Stoneheart is under an erected arch in the green space that Elena fixed up for us. She’s in the crowd too, wiping away happy tears already since she missed this the first time around.

The scene is magical in more ways than one. There’s a heating spell to keep the roof comfortable, but it’s winter now and delicate snowflakes fall from a sky painted pink and orange by the low sun.

I hold out my elbow and when Stella takes it, I recognize the blue flowers in her bouquet and decorating the roof.

“You chose forget-me-nots?” I whisper as the music starts. They are out of season so they must be the result of some spell.

“Of course I did. They’re the first gift you ever gave me, and they’re carved into our bed,” Stella says.

That makes me pause. I’ve never noticed that. Crafty gargoyle.

The distraction is almost enough to keep my nerves from overtaking me as we make it to Stoneheart. His pale gaze is warm at the sight of us. He takes Stella’s hands first, to recite their vows as they didn’t do it the traditional way for gargoyles last time.

When he gets to me, the grip on my hands grounds me in the moment.

I’m home.

“As your clan leader,” Stoneheart starts. “I pledge to you loyalty and trust. I promise safety and family.”

My throat swells.Family.

He continues, “As your mate, I vow my life and love to you, through the brightest day and the darkest night.”

It takes me a moment to respond. The words may be based on tradition, but they strike at my very core.

“I accept your vow,” I say, and when Stoneheart kisses me, the crowd around us cheers.

It’s a world of difference from when we were hiding our relationship, but the satisfaction rolling off Stoneheart indicates that he doesn’t mind.

And I’m officially theirs. I can barely breathe a laugh at the overwhelming amazement making my chest tight.

People gather round, and it’s almost a blur with how fast my heart is beating. Kalos congratulates us. Maggie is crying and hugs Stoneheart tight enough that the gargoyle blushes.

It makes it even better that don’t have to lose my family to add to it.

Stoneheart grudgingly accepts Lobo’s well wishes. Their personalities clash, and he still isn’t thrilled how close of an ally the wolf shifter is to Stella, but he’ll never undermine her work by complaining about it.

And then the dancing starts. Since it’s my only ceremony, Stella demanded that Stoneheart and I have the first dance. We’d done a few lessons in preparation so I finally feel like I can take a full breath even though it feels like everyone’s eyes are on me.

“How does it feel to be mine?” Stoneheart asks, close enough to my ear that I shiver.

“And Stella’s,” I interject without sharpness. He likes to be possessive. “It shouldn’t feel any different than this morning, but…”

---