Page 123 of Galen
“Don’t talk,” I said, lying beside him in bed. He instantly curled up next to me, head on my chest. “I don’t want you hurting yourself.”
Galen sat in the chair beside the bed, his hand finding mine. Gray fell asleep within minutes, his soft snores puffing against my neck.
I wasn’t only choosing a life with Galen by agreeing to be his bonded mate. I was choosing a life with all of them. And I was eager to see what that life had in store for us.
***
The ceremony was held beside the sea. The sun broke across the water, making it shine.
I wore a white tux with a dark red bow tie, matching the same shade in Galen’s wings. He wore all black. His tux had to be specially tailored to fit his massive body. It wasverymuch like a wedding.
I never thought I’d get married.
“Are you okay?” Galen asked as we stood in front of his brothers, who were all dressed for the occasion too.
“Yeah.” Tears stung my eyes. “I just wish my dad was here to see this.”
Galen looked at the sea. “I think he’s watching.”
Clara and Kyo were present, the only other people in my life I was close to beside the warriors. When considering an immortal life, I knew certain sacrifices would have to be made. After a few decades, I might have to change my name. Perhaps disappear for a while. Otherwise, it would draw too much attention. The good news though? Kyo was immortal too, so I wouldn’t have to worry about him aging.
Only Clara would grow old. Which made me sad. She’d become a good friend.
That’s something to worry about later.
Castor carried Gray from the mansion and sat him down in a chair. Gray no longer had his neck wrapped. The wound looked like a scar now, the skin completely closed, but the brothers continued to pamper him. He waved at me and smiled.
Alastair led the ceremony. Fitting for Pride. He wouldn’t have accepted anyone else doing it. Rings weren’t usually part of the ceremony, but Galen had requested that we have them. I believed he liked having a symbol of our love. I liked it too.
As Galen slid the ring on my finger, my heart nearly burst. I put his ring on him too and stared up at him, my throat tight.
“Don’t cry,” he said.
“I won’t.”
He wiped a tear that slipped from the corner of my eye. “Liar.”
Alastair brought forward a silver goblet and filled it with a deep red wine—not blood, Galen assured me—and spoke in Ancient Greek. I didn’t understand the words, but Galen translated for me under his breath. It sounded like a type of spell, words to bind two souls.
“After today, your souls will be merged and your life forces joined as one.” Alastair looked at Galen, then at me. “If this is what you both truly desire, say your vows. Speak from the heart.” He handed the goblet to me. “And drink.”
“I, Simon Parks, vow to love Galen… um…”
Galen’s lips twitched. “I was never given a surname.”
“Oh.”
A laugh came from the small audience. Castor’s cheeks were pink as Gray slapped at his shoulder. I read his lips,Be nice.But then Raiden started grinning too.
“I will strangle you all,” Galen said with no bite in his tone.
I managed to continue my vows despite the chuckles from the peanut gallery. I vowed to love Galen until the end of my days, and he vowed to do the same. And then we each took a drink from the goblet. The wine was sweet with a slight tartness, and warmth radiated all through my body after I swallowed. As if the magic was already flowing through my bloodstream.
“Kiss to seal your vows,” Alastair said.
Galen softly brought our lips together. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt different. Like I’d been going through life riddled with holes, and with the pressing of his mouth, those empty places inside of me filled.
“Can we have cake now?” Raiden asked after Galen and I kissed. “Thereiscake, right?”
