My mom winked and stepped out as my dad stepped in. He had tears in his eyes, and when he blinked and a few fell. I whispered, “Don’t cry daddy. If you do, then I will.” He wiped his eyes, “No, you shouldn’t cry Princess. You look so beautiful.” He walked over and hugged me.
He stepped back, “I have been dreading this day since you were a little girl. The thought of giving you away would take my breath away. But I can't imagine a better man for you to marry. He makes you so happy and he’s a good man who can protect you. All I ever wanted was for you to have the love you deserve.” I whispered, “I love him.”
He hugged me tighter, “I know you do, and he’s worthy of my Princess.” He pulled back saying, “You are missing one thing.” He presented a box and I opened it. I gasped, “You got me a tiara?” He smiled, “You’re my Princess and you are Duchess. You have to have a tiara.”
Rain told me, “Now, Thor is being sappy. I’m just going to close our link while I cry.” I told her, “You don’t have to do that.” I looked at our tiara. It was a white gold crown with white diamonds and yellow ones scattered throughout it.
Dad put the tiara on my head and smiled, “Now you are ready.” I wiped my tears away, “Thanks, dad.” He kissed my forehead. He sighed, “God, you grew up so fast, Cassie Veronica Shayla Conners. I knew this day was coming for the last five years and yet somehow, it’s still staggering.”
I nudged him, “I’ll always love you, daddy.” My dad smiled, “And you’d better still come home to see your old man often. Or I’ll annoy your mother enough that she'll pop me here.” I laughed, “I’ll keep coming home. I’d miss everyone too much if I stayed away. Plus, I do still manage a small pack. I think Tory and Gia would riot with you if I opted out of coming home.” He chuckled then held out his arm for me and I took it.
I popped us outside right before the hill. I’d wanted the ceremony in the place Cayden and I first met, under our tree. Aunt Lucinda was playing the violin as we walked up. Cayden was in nice slacks with no shirt. I really did love that about this realm. Shirts were the enemy here.
Rain agreed, “Shirts are totally the enemy look at his yummy-ness. Mate should NEVER wear a shirt.” I agreed with her wholeheartedly. I locked eyes with Cayden the second we came up the hill and smiled. I’d orchestrated the wedding so he’d be standing in the exact spot we first met in.
My dad put my hand in Cayden’s once we reached him, then went around and performed our wolf ceremony piece. We both wanted the Hackura part to be last since this was home base for us. My dad cut both our palms, and we joined hands. Alexander put his hand on Cayden and healed us both. I smiled at my big brother who winked at me.
Uncle Aiden did the Fairy piece next. Cayden was trying not to laugh as we walked around the pole together. Once he was done Uncle Bjourn stood for the Hackura portion. Cayden felt excited. We already had a bond in place, so it wasn’t a long part of the ceremony. I shot Cayden a questioning look, not understanding why he was so excited. He just smiled at me.
When Uncle Bjourn finished his piece, he turned and handed us both bows and arrows. I looked around. My mom’s best friend, who I called Aunt, Lexi Daniels winked at me. I smiled saying a silent prayer of thanks that she’d taught me to shoot a bow and arrow as a child.
My Uncle said, “Nunc dux et ducissa in navim in oceano ibunt ut eorum coniunctionem significent (Now our Commander and the Duchess will shoot together at the boat in the ocean to symbolize their joining).”
I raised an eyebrow at Cayden. I linked him, “You are SO lucky that I know how to shoot a bow. You’d be so dead if I didn’t.” Cayden smirked, “I knew you knew how to shoot. You told me all about Lexi teaching you. Pop us to the ocean, right outside the castle.” I grabbed his hands and popped us away.
There were men waiting ready to light the end of our arrows. The rest of the guests were popped in by my family. Tory linked, “You’ve got this!” I took a deep breath and looked over at Cayden nodding to him, letting him know I was ready.
He yelled, “Paratus (Ready).” I nodded. He smirked, “Propositum (Aim).” I pulled my arm back just like Aunt Lexi taught me and found my target, the Viking looking boat. Cayden yelled, “Surculus (Shoot)!”
I breathed in and released my arrow at the same time Cayden did. Both our arrows struck the boat side by side. Cayden yelled, “HEY TAH!” I smiled and yelled back with the crowd, “TAH!” Cayden yelled, “TAH!” The response was a deafening roar, “TAH! TAH!”
Cayden grabbed me around the waist and kissed me hard as everyone went wild. I heard clothes shredding. I also felt my dad and brothers getting out of here. I knew they didn’t want to see me having sex with my mate.
It was a little funny because they didn’t mind with each other, but I didn’t really mind. Orgies were second nature to me at this point. I’d grown up around them, and I’d been living here for several years now. I wasn’t comfortable being completely naked out here with everyone and Cayden respected that. We lost ourselves in each other and our kiss.
He linked me, “Snap us a blanket, Cassie Crawford.” I smiled against his lips and did as he said. He unzipped his pants as I laid down still in my dress. He was on top of me in the next second with his lips back on mine.
I felt his hand lifting up the front of my dress and lining us up. I gasped when he slid into me. He chuckled, “Every time. I love it, my wife.” I kissed him then pulled back, “Husband.” His eyes sparkled with love and lust. We lost track of time enjoying being with each other.
I knew that everyone else had left. They were at the reception. I could hear the cheers and dancing going on. I couldn’t help that I wanted to stay right here with Cayden buried deep inside me. We both came again.
Cayden rested his forehead on mine and looked into my eyes. Sometimes it felt like he was looking into my very soul. I bit my lip not noticing that my hand was glowing as my light shot into Cayden. My eyes widened. Cayden groaned and came again inside me.
He whispered, “Fuck Cass, did you share you light with me again?” I nodded, “I didn’t mean to. It just….” He silenced me with a kiss. He pulled back, “You are mine. Forever. We are twice light bound now, and I am not upset. Are you?” I shook my head saying no. He smiled, “Good. I guess we will find out if we are in the Ribbon soon enough.” I laughed, “I guess we will.”
We stayed like that for several seconds. He smiled, “We should put in an appearance at our reception then leave. I’m nowhere near done with you for the night, Cassie Crawford.” I grinned as he pulled me to my feet.
I spotted his watch. Rain muttered, “That’s new.” I replied, “And fancy.” I grabbed it asking, “Where did you get this?” He answered, “It’s a wedding present from Ashley. She got you something too. It’s at our house.” Something about that watch looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember why.
I shook myself as we walked up to the castle together. I teased, “Are you ready for dress number two?” Cayden raised an eyebrow, “Dress number two?” I nodded and snapped my fingers so I was in my reception dress. Cayden had me pushed against a column in a second. He ground into me with his hips.
He asked huskily, “Do you want to get to our reception, wife of mine? This dress has me thinking you do not.” I giggled, “Yes, I do. Weshouldat least say hi to people.” He pushed himself back, “You kill me.” I winked at him.
Dress number two was a beaded, sheer white dress with a deep V cut in the front. It had a nude underlay until my mid-thigh, then it was see through. I heard Hendrix announce, “They’ve finally made it folks! Commander Duke Cayden and Duchess Cassie Crawford!” Rain purred, “Mate is now a Duke.” Yes, he was, but he had been in this realm for a while. The applause was deafening. Cayden grabbed my hand. I looked into his eyes and walked into the banquet hall by his side, as his wife.
A place with Us
Cayden is Twenty-Five
