Page 39 of Shade
I described the arch Silas and the others had built from twine and bent branches, and the multicolored flowers that decorated the whole thing.
"It sounds like something out of a fairytale," Diego murmured, awe clear in his voice. I turned to look at him, and the wide smile on his face made me grin. Since he couldn't actually see the proceedings, he'd opted to sit in the back. While Liam had wanted him to be a part of the wedding, he'd declined because he didn't want to 'be in the way.' I didn't agree, but I hadn't pushed because he'd seemed happier to hang back.
"Oh, it's starting!" I announced, and Diego turned his head toward the pathway. He'd probably heard the telltale clatter of Keoni's cart as he stopped near Haruto, murmuring something to him before leading the way to the altar, a basket of flower petals in his hand that he threw from generously. "Keoni is the flower boy."
Diego chuckled. "The perfect man for the job."
Mira, a siren with straight, bluish-black hair, and deep ocean blue eyes started singing, and Diego sucked in a breath.
"She's a siren," I murmured, mesmerized by her voice like everyone. She wasn't using her powers, but even without them, her voice was beautiful.
Water bubbles filled the air, courtesy of a kelpie named Alaric, and the sun glinting off them made them look like little rainbows floating through the air. The description made Diego give a happy sigh, which made me smile.
"Haruto's at the altar now. He looks nervous but also like it's the happiest day of his life," I said as Haruto came to stand beside Headmaster Morrigan, who was dressed in his purple sorcerer robes. I didn't think I'd ever seen him in the traditional sorcerer garb before, but it suited him.
"Oh, Liam's here. He has eyes only for Haruto," I murmured as Keoni raced back to spread some more flowers as Liam started walking toward the altar. "He looks wonderful. He's wearing a white tux with a black pocket square, and Haruto's is the opposite."
"Haruto is in his real form, right?" Diego asked, and I answered in affirmative. "Good. Liam told me he'd offered to take his human form, but Liam said no. They're going to take some pictures later for him to send to his parents, but he wanted Haruto to be in the form he's most comfortable in for the ceremony."
"Sounds like Liam. Oh, it's starting."
I shut up as the headmaster started speaking, since Diego would hear him just fine, and added in a few visual things every once in a while as Haruto and Liam said their vows. Dustin had started crying at some point, and when the headmaster asked him if he was okay, he waved the man off, while Khush mouthed something about pregnancy hormones over his shoulder, which I told Diego, much to his amusement.
Haruto and Liam slid rings onto each other's fingers, then kissed. When it looked like they had no plans to separate, the headmaster stepped in, then told everyone to go to the Dining Room after they'd congratulated the newlyweds.
I moved back to Diego's shadow, and we waited until the crowd had dispersed a little before Diego approached Liam and Haruto, his phone now on speakerphone so I could talk to them as well.
"Congratulations, you two!" Diego said, a wide grin on his face that Liam returned. Then, Liam wrapped Diego in his arms, and almost lifted him off his feet in his joy.
"Thank you! I'm so glad you could be here. Thanks for hooking this one, Shade," Liam said toward the phone, making me laugh.
"Ah, my pleasure?"
"Well, I'd hope so!" he teased as he let Diego go, then glanced down at his shadow, and therefore, me. "I'll come by yours later. You owe me a hug."
"Of course. Congratulations, both of you," I repeated, and Haruto smiled.
"Thank you. Come on—let's get some food."
"Yes! I'm starving. I was too nervous to eat much today," Liam said, which had Haruto going on high alert instantly.
"Let's go," he said, taking his new husband's hand and pulling him toward the exit of the Lakes area.
Liam laughed as he followed his mate and husband, and I watched them go with a fond smile.
"We should go too. The headmaster said there's cake," Diego said, and I smiled. Did he realize he'd started calling Zephyr 'headmaster?’ Was he starting to think of the Sanctuary as home, or was I seeing too much into it?
We went to the Dining Room where the party was in full swing. All the tables had been moved to the corners of the big room, leaving the center open for dancing as music boomed through somewhere. Not Mira's soulful singing, but human pop music that apparently inspired people to shake their bodies in strange ways.
Diego grabbed us some cake—we were both still too full from lunch for food—and we stood near the tables, watching everyone dance as we ate.
"You know, I think you could tell them now. About your new ability. I think Liam would be excited to be able to hug you," Diego said, and I peered up at him, trying to read his face.
"You think so?"
"Mmm-hmm. I'd also like to dance with you, so..." He trailed off, and I pursed my lips in thought. Would it really be okay? This was Liam and Haruto's special day. Would they be okay with me stealing the spotlight?
"You're such a softie," Diego grumbled in a fond tone, then called out to Liam, who'd been just passing by with a large slice of cake. How Diego knew he was there was anyone's guess. Had he recognized him by his footsteps alone?
