Page 101 of Midnight Enchantment

“You look wonderful,” Quill said.

“Thank you, Papa.”

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes, very sure.”

“No sense in putting if off then. Let’s go, Princess.”

The church was small and old. Made of white stone, it shone like a diamond in the moonlight.

Lily took a deep breath as she peeked into the chapel. Her mother, Ava and Mason, sat in the first pew on the left, Dominic and Maddy sat in the one on the right. J.D. sat on Maddy’s lap, his eyes round and wide as he looked at the flickering candles and the statues of the saints. Her great-grandfather had called that morning. He had apologized for their absence, but promised to be there as soon as his business in Africa was complete.

She was shocked to see Claret sitting primly in the last row, her hands folded in her lap. For once, the vampire was modestly attired in a simple navy blue sheath that still managed to show off every curve.

And then she saw Raedan standing in front of the altar and everything and everyone else faded into the background. He looked more handsome than ever. The black tux, the crisp white shirt, perfectly complimented his dark good looks, the width of his shoulders. When his gaze met hers, a wave of desire swept through her. A faint smile twitched his lips and she knew he was perfectly aware of what she was thinking, feeling.

At a nod from the minister, the organist began to playThe Wedding March.

“Ready, Princess?” her father asked.

Lily nodded.

“Here we go.”

Lily’s heart was pounding with joyful anticipation as they glided slowly down the aisle. It was really happening.

“Who giveth this woman to this man?” the minister asked.

Placing Lily’s hand in Raedan’s, Quill said, “Her mother and I do.”

Her father gave her a kiss on the cheek, then stepped back to take his place beside Callie.

Lily was scarcely aware of the rest of the ceremony. She couldn’t stop gazing into Raedan’s eyes, which seemed darker, more mesmerizing than ever. She winced as his hand tightened on hers, let out a gasp when his eyes took on a faint red glow.

As the minister pronounced them man and wife, Raedan pushed Lily away, let out a harsh cry of denial as he clutched his stomach and fell to his knees.

The minister took one look at him, murmured, “Heaven help us, he is possessed!” and fled the chapel, the organist close on his heels.

Lily looked at her father in horror. “It can’t be … ”

When Dominic and Mason moved toward Raedan, he growled, “Get the hell away from me!”

“But we destroyed the demon,” Lily said, glancing helplessly at Ava and Mason.

“Apparently not,” Dominic remarked.

“But we did everything right!” she insisted.

Quill watched impassively as Raedan writhed on the floor, being destroyed from the inside out. Ava had told him of the ritual they had performed. Watching Raedan, it was obvious that something had gone terribly wrong. Whatever they had done hadn’t destroyed the demon, only drained its strength for a time.

Tugging on Dominic’s arm, Maddy whispered, “I’m taking J.D. home,” and quickly left the chapel.

Quill looked up as Claret came forward. “My blood helped him last time. Perhaps it can again.”

“For the same price?” Quill asked dryly.

“Who cares what it costs if it helps!” Lily cried. “Can’t you see he’s dying!”

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