A blush colored her cheeks and then she pushed at who had to be Telal until he groaned and let her go. “Later,” he whispered in promise.

According to Alrik, Lily was the youngest of the Bellum sisters and was mated to his brother Telal. Lily had a quick, happy smile on her face and a gorgeous pair of green eyes. Everyone came forward and behind the group, Abby watched her mom port in looking wobbly. She must have done it from a spell. Her mom spotted her and gave an excited wave. Abby couldn’t fight her excited grin and waved back.

Introductions were made all around.

Lily and Telal came up first. Abby held out her hand but Lily pushed it away and pulled her into a hard hug. “Sister,” she said.

Abby hugged her back, hesitantly. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Lily curled an arm around her shoulder and turned her to face the others. “It’s our sister,” she said like a judge who just banged the gavel making a judgment.

The two women, Chloe and Willow, eyed her suspiciously. “She does look like us,” ceded the brown-haired one. “I’m Chloe by the way and this is my mate Tyrian. He’s all vampire,” she said like she won some great prize. The tall man started shaking his head. He looked strong like a warrior but held a command to his presence, and a wicked scar ran down the side of his cheek. Abby wouldn’t be surprised if this vampire led an army.

The blonde woman narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know...”

The strong, tanned, very good-looking shapeshifter at her side rested his hand at the back of her neck. A dominant touch. “Play nice, baby.” He looked like he was trying not to smile.

The woman rolled her eyes. “Fine she looks just like us. I’m Willow. I’d shake your hand but as you can see, Mary’s taking them up.”

The little bundle in her arms was named Mary after their mother. Abby didn’t need anyone to explain that to her. She’d already learned all about that from Alrik. Mary had been imprisoned in the demon’s dungeon for some twenty years and had missed out on her daughters being raised. Of course, if that hadn’t happened then Francis wouldn’t have met her mother and Abby wouldn’t be here. Naturally, Mary didn’t exactly want to be here for this, she was still adjusting to normal life again after being rescued by her daughters.

Alrik was ate up over it. Over a lot of stuff really. But that was his past, and Abby firmly believed it wasn’t his fault. It was the curse. They’d get through all the rough patches up the road together.

“Give her to me,” the big man at her side said. Willow passed the baby to him and he held it as if he did that sort of thing all the time. He didn’t look like the baby type, but he totally was. The man saw her gaze and smiled. He had a big smile, the kind that left you smiling back. “We’re trying for another one. I’m Lyonis by the way.”

“Abbigail Krenshaw.”

“Soon to be Demuzi,” Alrik corrected.

“Speaking of, shall we get this mating ritual started?” Telal said. He had a pleasant very deep voice.

“Yes!” Lily jumped in and started dragging her away. The other ladies followed as they broke away from the men and headed down the other side of the beach. “We’ll be back!”

Abby tossed one last, panicked look over her shoulder at Alrik. He was smiling at her. A wicked smile that curled her down to her toes. She was really doing this. She was really going to be mated.

She was taken into the forest and undressed in a circle of red and white candles. They said it was for “purifying and love.”

They were getting married in a demonic ceremony. That meant that her hands and feet were painted with a special tool called a lathu in special symbols and works. The paint was the color of chocolate. One sister held the bowl while Lily used the lathu to paint Abby’s feat.

A breathtaking pattern of leaves and trees were painted from her toes up across her feet. It wasn’t permanent though it was so beautiful she wouldn’t mind it being so.

The intricate design worked up her foot then around her ankles. Small spirals came off the stems of the design. Intermixed with the leaves and open flowers in bloom were demonic words of love, bonding, and mating. After her hands were also done in the flowering design, she was dressed in a black gauzy dress that kept her arms and below her knees bare. She was told this ritual would be done barefoot.

Nerves fluttered around in her belly like butterflies.

Before she knew it, she was lead back to him. He stood all the way on the other side of the beach. She wished he was closer she didn’t like having all these eyes on her. He looked amazing.

He’d changed.

Now he wore only a pair of fitted black trousers that stopped short of the knee and nothing else. All that beautiful golden skin was bared for the world to see. He didn’t smile but wore a strong expression—that of a warrior being given his woman. His hands and feet were painted in the same design of leaves, vines, and words.

Finally, his hand was in hers. She wanted to say something, wanted him to say anything but they both stayed quiet as the ceremony started. Everyone took a seat in the sand behind them, except for Telal who stood before them to perform the ceremony.

Abby squeezed Alrik’s hand and he squeezed it back, even harder. The nerves in her stomach abated at his touch and then she let out a deep breath. When she glanced back up at him, she saw a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth and she smiled back.

The ceremony took place in Demonish. Telal spoke of love and trust of faithfulness always. They were tender words. Words meant to be only spoken to one other person once in a lifetime.

Finally, Telal nodded to Alrik.

Then Alrik spoke. “I vow to always love you from now until the end of my days. Let these designs be a symbol of the ties that bind us together, of growth created out of trust, anger, friendship, and love. May these ties never break even after the paint washes away. May our love never sway against strife but grow stronger, and may they tie us closer for the rest of our days.”

Tears fell from her eyes. When it came time for her to repeat the words, she fumbled over them until a fierce blush covered her cheeks. It was okay because he smiled down at her as if he couldn’t be prouder.

Finally, she ended her part and her face was wet from tears and her cheeks bright red. “And may they tie us closer for the rest of our days.”

Their little gathering stood and cheered. Alrik pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss she would never forget. Not for the rest of her days.

“I love you, Alrik,” she said against his lips.

His arms squeezed her. “And I love you, Abbigail Demuzi.”

They clasped their painted hands together and started their life anew.