Page 70 of Night Wedding
I laughed as he carried me upstairs. A light, carefree feeling swept through me, so different from the weight of impending loss that had pervaded me ever since I thought I’d lost Diego.
Once he placed me on the bed, he stared into my eyes. “I’m sorry about what happened. You know that wasn’t me.”
“I know.” I swallowed, forcing away the image of Diego who hadn’t recognized me. “None of it was your fault.”
He turned away. “Then why do I have this sense of guilt and regret for hurting you?”
I cupped his cheek and turned it to me. “You didn’t hurt me, Diego. She did. She hurt both of us.”
His blue eyes brightened. “But she couldn’t come between us in the end.”
Diego—my Diego—was back. “No, she couldn’t. No one ever can.”
I stared into his eyes and all the earlier fatigue lifted. Then I leaned up and kissed him.
Epilogue
Diego
“Take it easy, man,” Lucas said. “You’re going to chew your bottom lip off your face.”
“Right.” I smoothed my hands over the side of my gray tux. I didn’t often wear monkey suits, but I didn’t get married every night either.
I focused on the sound of the ocean as a meditation. Waves rolled in and gently caressed the shore before bowing out and back into the sea.
I couldn’t believe that this moment finally arrived. Long ago, I’d been a fool, thinking I would have married Diana. What a mistake that would have been. I was now relieved that she’d left me, especially after I discovered what she was really like. She’d played me so hard.
But that was over now. She was gone, and if she was smart, she wouldn’t return to Salem. Why would she? She knew that she’d be arrested for the unlawful use of magic she’d used on me. She was shrewd and cunning. Self-preservation was key.
When I thought of how she’d been able to trick me into thinking I was still with her, to mess with my memories and remove such happy ones with Nova, I wanted to hunt her down and make her pay. But life was better for me in Salem. I had everything I wanted and everything I needed here. Let her run and never return.
It was a beautiful September night with the lights twinkling on the ocean. A small group of us congregated beneath the moon for an intimate gathering of family and close friends.
Cassandra would be leading the ceremony. She stood on one side of me while Sebastian and Lucas stood on the other. My brothers. Although I complained about them to the stars, I loved them to bits. They stood by me even while I was out of my head and acting like an absolute jerk. I hadn’t known at the time that they were dead serious and trying to help me, not pull off some prank. Fortunately, Nova saved me. In so many ways.
Gianna walked toward us wearing a mermaid-style blue dress. Gianna stepped to the opposite side of Sebastian, but I barely noticed her approach. My gaze was fixed on the woman behind her.
When I saw Nova walk toward me wearing a simple yet elegant white dress, I sucked in a breath.
We made it.
As she walked over, bright-eyed and smiling, my unbeating heart seemed to thump. I was the luckiest creature on earth to have someone as wonderful as her willing to marry me. Whatever obstacles we’d face, we’d face them together.
She reached me with the brightest of smiles. Who needed the sun when I had Nova?
Cassandra addressed all, but I didn’t pay attention. All my focus was on Nova. I couldn’t wait for the moment that she’d be declared my wife.
After the ceremony, I had a surprise planned for her during the reception. It was going to be one hell of a night.
Nova
Our wedding was during Mabon, the fall equinox. The moonlight rippled on the ocean. The full moon hung low and illuminated the darkness with a golden glow on a sultry September night. The faint stars flickered as if joining in on the celebration. It was the perfect night for our wedding. Joy danced through me, yet somehow, I kept my feet planted rather than pirouetting across the beach.
Cassandra welcomed all to form a circle. She mentioned how we were including a handfasting as part of our ceremony. My relationship with Diego was far from conventional, and we incorporated elements to make the night our own. Although I’d planned the ceremony after talking to the witches at the Network, he took on the reception with the help of our friends. He was keeping it a surprise for after the wedding.
“Do you take this woman to be your wife?” Cassandra asked Diego.
He held my hands and stared into my eyes. “I do.”
