Page 27 of Night Wedding
Sebastian arched his brows. “Family?”
I shifted my position. “We haven’t discussed that yet.”
Family was tricky as my relationship with my mother was strained. Although I was still angry at her for blocking my magic and keeping that information from me, a part of me understood. I tried to look at the bright side, the way the guys would often sing the Monty Python song, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” My life had now changed for the better. I was back in Salem with my newfound family, and most importantly, Diego. I was no longer a hapless witch, but one improving her magical skills under the tutelage of some very powerful witches at the Network. I had a roof over my head. Life was good.
Diego had cut himself off from his family when he’d turned. Mine didn’t know I was dating a vampire. Yikes, more complications. It might be better to leave family out of this. At the very least, it was something to be discussed at another time.
“Do you think you’ll get married soon and have a summer wedding? Or wait until the fall?” Gianna tapped her fingers together in an excited manner. “Oh, but winter is so magical around here with all the snow.”
I chuckled. “I don’t know, Gianna. It’s all new. We have many things to think about.”
She nodded. “Okay, once you do, you know I’m here to help.”
The front door opened, and Lucas entered with Zoe. As a dragon shifter well over six feet tall, he towered over his mate, an elf at barely five feet. Yet, they were adorable together. He brought a lightness to Zoe, and she helped him be more grounded. They were good for each other, bringing balance into each other’s lives.
“Hey, hey, hey.” Lucas spread his arms wide. “Congratulations to you both.” He cocked his head and slanted a smile at me. “He found a decent ring after all?”
“He did.” I raised my hand and showed off my diamond. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”
He nodded with approval. “Good choice, Diego.”
Diego laughed. “I’m glad you approve.”
“Congratulations to both of you,” Zoe said.
“We’re all here now,” Gianna declared. “Now it’s time to celebrate with some champagne.”
She went to the kitchen and returned with a chilled bottle. She pulled out the cork with a pop, and we all cheered. Sebastian brought in some glasses, and she poured them for us.
Once we each had a glass, she toasted. “It’s time that we cheer, with something better than beer. Can I get you to all say hear, hear?”
“Hear, hear,” we all repeated, raising our glasses
“Great rhyme,” Diego teased her.
She leaned forward in a mock bow. “Thanks, I wrote it myself. Think I might go for a recording deal.”
We chuckled and then sipped the champagne.
It was delicious. Bubbles burst on my tongue. Gianna didn’t skimp when it came to champagne, one of her favorite indulgences. Then again, I might not know the difference between bottles of bubbly as I was far from a connoisseur.
I glanced around the room at the people I loved, all smiles and laughs. Here we were celebrating the future. After some near losses for many of them, including Diego and Gianna, two people I cherished most, this moment was one to treasure.
I had everything I needed, so maybe it was time to stop worrying about nonexistent matters. I took another sip of the champagne, enjoying the fizzy flavor.
Maybe, just maybe, I could forget about Diana moving to Salem and everything would be okay.
Diego
What a great night. With all of us together at the house, I wish we could have lingered and then I’d spend some time alone with Nova. But I had to head into work.
Since Gianna gushed about wedding stuff, they’d probably have more fun talking without me in the way. I may not have known much about weddings, but Diana had taught me that they were all about the bride. As long as I stood there and said my lines, she’d told me that was sufficient. Not that I wanted to think about my ex and my poor judgment in wanting to marry her, especially not at a time like this celebrating my engagement to Nova.
Nova was everything I ever wanted. Her heart was a thousand times purer than the cold vamp who’d manipulated me in countless ways. With that smile on Nova’s face, brightening her eyes, I counted myself the luckiest guy alive—well, as alive as the undead could be. I loved seeing her so happy. She wanted to marry me. The fact that I was part of her happiness warmed me to the core. I was a dark, brooding, bitter vampire until she’d stepped into my world, like the sunshine I had been deprived of for too long.
Her auburn hair was down over her shoulders tonight. She wore a pale-pink dress that showed her sun-kissed shoulders. It made touching and kissing her soft skin all the more alluring this time of year.
I tapped Nova’s thigh. “I better get going to the clinic.”
