Page 48 of The Tides of March

“Early May would be nice. Just something simple on the beach. We could get away with a tent on the lawn for the reception since it wouldn’t be too hot.”

“Ma! You’re gonna scare Ronan.”

He took the news rather well when Tony broke it to him. Of course, Tony had waited until after his mother and Winston left and dazzled Ronan with a filthy blowjob first.

“I’d marry ye tomorrow,” he said as they kissed by the fire. “I know how much it means to ye and I’m honored.”

“May it is!” Tony pushed Ronan back onto the floor and showered his face in kisses.

“On one condition.” Ronan’s hand pushed into the back of Tony’s jeans.

“What’s that?”

“We move this to the bed. I wanna be comfortable while ye sit on me face.”

Tony sighed dreamily down at him. “You say the most romantic things.”

“I can’ help it, lad. I’ve been under yer spell since the moment I first laid eyes on ye.”

Epilogue

Six weeks later…

The day couldn’t have been more perfect and Tony was overjoyed by all the colorful quilts spread out on the grass in front of the cottage. His mother and Winston had suggested a picnic theme and Tony and Ronan were happy to let them handle all the arrangements. They had surpassed Tony’s expectations and Ronan seemed sincerely touched by all the flowers and ribbons when he came out of the cottage.

Merlin and Howard had outdone themselves as well. A simple, yet beautiful altar had been made with a willow arch, decorated with crystals, ribbons, herbs, pink roses, and white lilies. Beneath the arch, an ancient copper cauldron simmered and the smoky smell of burned herbs hung in the air.

Ronan looked incredibly handsome in his matching light gray suit and soft purple shirt. The combination brought out his eyes and he smiled so easily when he took Tony’s hand. His mother was waiting at the altar for Tony and Ronan had asked Winston to stand with him. The rest of their friends werescattered on the quilts, lounging comfortably on pillows, sipping champagne and drinking beer.

The mood was relaxed and everyone was so happy, including Nelson. He had recovered from the trip across the bay and was particularly enjoying the dogs’ company. The reserved agent reclined on a quilt next to Nox, play wrestling with Fergus and Flynn as the ceremony began.

Tony and Ronan were anointed with smoke from a fragrant smudge stick. Then, Merlin faced each direction, chanting with a feather and a flame and casting a protective ring around them. Tony felt goosebumps as Merlin blessed their union, experiencing a beautiful vision as he and Ronan kissed.

In the vision, Tony and Ronan were holding hands on the beach, watching the sunrise. They were surrounded by all their friends, all older, and their family had grown even larger and stronger. When Tony opened his eyes and stared into Ronan’s he felt truly blessed to have found his soul’s perfect mate.

The party may have been small, but the celebration was big and ecstatic. Both of the grooms were treated to tearful, laughing hugs and Ronan was brought to tears when Tony’s mother kissed him and called him “son.” And he didn’t even object when the record player was brought out and Tony asked him to dance.

Ronan didn’t know how to do anything but sway along with the music, but that was all that Tony needed as his mother and Sheila joined them, followed by the twins and their spouses. Nelson still refused so Nox danced with Merlin. For lunch, Tony’s mother had brought enough lasagna to feed a platoon and there was a three-tiered chocolate cake.

They were seeing their guests off at the dock when Tony was struck by another vision, this one dark and heavy with dread. He had kissed his mother and was reaching to hug Winston when Tony saw a sky filled with black plumes of smoke and smelledsulfur. A high, ear-splitting whine echoed, rattling Tony’s teeth and nearly bringing him to his knees.

“Tony!” his mother shouted, alerting Nox and Merlin before they boarded Clancy’s boat with the rest of their party.

“I’ve got ye,” Ronan said as he scooped Tony into his arms and rushed him up to the cottage and laid him on the bed.

“What is it? What did you see?” Nox rushed to Tony’s side and grabbed his hand as Ronan returned with a glass of water.

Tony took a few sips and waited for the ringing to subside. As it did, he heard a name and saw trees, a forest. “Does anyone know a Niall?” he asked, squinting as he searched for more details or a face.

“Niall?” Winston asked as she hopped and waved, attempting to see over heads and around bodies. The rest of their guests had squeezed into the cottage but a path was cleared for Winston. “My sister’s son is named Niall.”

“Does he spend a lot of time in the woods by any chance?” Tony asked and the color drained from her face.

“He’s a park ranger. Why?”

Tony swallowed hard and winced at Nox. “I think I saw demons in the sky,a lotof them, and dozens of black puffs of smoke.”

“No…” Nox shook his head. “What you’re describing is…” He traded a nervous glance with Merlin. “It couldn’t be,” he said but Merlin made a worried sound.

“It sounds like demna aeóir, air demons. We’d better find this Niall and make sure he’s safe,” he said and Nox nodded, looking around the cottage.

“Sounds like I’m headed into the woods to find this Niall and hunt some demons. Who’s up for a camping trip?”

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