As soon as the beams of light hit it, the bracelet lit up, moving of its own accord, a glittering warmth that surrounded her wrist, snug, but not at all tight. She loved it. More, she loved the fact that it had belonged to an ancestor before her and that Jubal had been the one to pass it on to her.
"You have something old. Something borrowed and something blue. You still need something new. You said you wanted to blend traditional with human so we need to cover all four bases," Joie said.
"Everything is perfect, Joie. I couldn't ask for anything more."
"Shea, Savannah and Raven had something made for you. Something brand-new. Byron made it. Do you remember him at all? He lives in Italy with his lifemate, but he's a gem caller, and they asked him to make you something special for your wedding."
Tears clogged Gabrielle's throat. She knew she'd become bitter toward the Carpathians ever since Gary had nearly died--ever since Gregori had brought him fully into their world. She felt like she'd lost him twice. First in death, and then to the prince and his second-in-command. Gary was fully a Daratrazanoff, and with that name came the power and responsibilities given--and those were huge. Still, she'd pushed aside the friendships she'd forged with some of the women, and that had been wrong. Very wrong.
"I don't deserve anything from them, Joie," she admitted in a low voice. "I've been standoffish."
More than that, she'd been restless and irritable, as if something deep inside her called to her. Wanted. No, even needed and recognized that time was growing short. She'd pushed for the marriage because she knew if she didn't do this now, something terrible was going to happen.
She pressed both hands to her churning stomach. She'd woken up from her sleep--the terrible paralysis of the Carpathian people--deep beneath the earth. She could hear her heart thudding dangerously loud. She felt the echo of the nightmare, the vicious stabbing as the knife blade penetrated her body, slicing deep over and over. She relived it, but the moment she woke, there was an echo of something else. Something she couldn't quite catch. So elusive, but so important. The feeling of dread built in her until every rising she wanted to run away and hide.
She still couldn't tell Joie, as much as she wanted to. She could only tell Gary. He didn't look at her as if she wasn't quite up to the standards of the Sanders family. Joie and Jubal could kick serious butt. Gabrielle stood over Gary's broken, wounded body and cried her eyes out. She had nightmares when other Carpathians said they didn't dream--as in ever. She was growing afraid as each rising passed. She had to be somewhere, and the need in her was so strong, she feared she would take off on her own soon. She didn't make sense. The Carpathian way of life was definitely not good for her and she had to find a balance before she went crazy. Gary was her balance.
"Shea, Raven and Savannah love you, Gabrielle. All of us noticed you've been withdrawn, but it's entirely permissible and even understandable, after what happened to Gary. Everyone knows you love him. How could that not affect you? Of course you've been moody and withdrawn."
"Don't make excuses for me," Gabrielle said. "They're my friends, you're my sister, and I shut all of you out."
Joie hugged her tight. "I'm the queen of shutting people out, Gabby. You're a Sanders. When we have problems, we tend to keep them to ourselves until we figure out a solution. It isn't possible with your lifemate. I'm warning you right now. He'll know when you're upset and he won't mind in the least getting into your head and reading what the problem is. Males want to fix everything."
Gabrielle smiled. She couldn't help it. It was the truth. The good thing was, Gary knew her. He knew how to fix her. He didn't have to invade her personal space, and she liked it like that. Although, since he'd risen as a Daratrazanoff, she'd noticed he was far quieter--and he'd always been quiet. Much more serious, and he'd always been serious. He had the same look that Gregori sometimes got, or Darius, Gregori's younger brother--one bordering on command, as if everyone had better do as he said when he said it. Still, he never looked at her that way.
Joie showed her the ring. It was beautiful. Elegant. Breathtaking even. It was to be worn on her right hand, the ring finger, and the moment Joie slipped it on, Gabrielle knew there was more to the ring than platinum and gemstones. She loved it just like she loved the bracelet, the pendant, and her blue garter. Perfection for her wedding. She knew each of the gems set in her ring were power gems and each would have a purpose. She'd learn about them later. For now, she could enjoy the fact that her sister and her three best friends were sharing this monumental event with her.
She stood there for a moment, feeling radiant and lucky. She actually felt beautiful, like a princess about to meet her prince. She'd never been happier than that moment, knowing he was waiting right outside for her. She felt him. She always knew when he was close to her.
"He's here," she said softly to Joie. "He's waiting for me."
Joie hugged her again and kissed her cheek. "You've never been more beautiful than you are at this moment, Gabrielle. I hope you always stay this happy."
"I'll be with Gary. How can I not be happy?" Gabrielle asked, and hugged Joie back.
She turned toward the door, a lump in her throat. She wanted to see his face when she stepped through. That would tell her everything. She would know if he felt the same way. Joie, staying to one side of the door, pulled it open for her, and Gabrielle picked up the sides of her dress and stepped outside. Her crystal shoes and ivory gown were all lace and crystals so that the moment the beams of light from the moon hit her, she sparkled like the stars overhead.
Gary turned toward her, and she drew in her breath. He was gorgeous. Every time she looked at him, she felt as if she was seeing him for the first time. He looked older than when she'd first met him, but it suited him. He had a few scars, but they suited him as well. His hair was long and thick, growing like the Carpathians' hair seemed to do. That gave him a more primitive, ancient look, but she found she liked it. He had a few streaks of gray spun into his dark hair.
Gary was a few inches shorter than Gregori, but no less commanding. She'd never seen that in him before. He'd always been a man to slip into the shadows and let others take the spotlight. She couldn't imagine him in the shadows now. His eyes were glued to her. He no longer wore his glasses. In any case, because he was so often in battle, defending the children against vampire
puppets, he'd long since settled for the contacts Gregori manufactured for him. Now, he was fully Carpathian and didn't need glasses or contacts, and she could see the amazing green of his eyes.
She loved the expression on his face. She couldn't have asked for a better manifestation of his love. His entire face lit up. His mouth went soft. His face went warm, and his eyes went hot. Really hot. A million butterflies took wing in her stomach. Her lungs felt a little as if they couldn't quite get enough air. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. He was so beautiful to her. Inside and out. Everything about him. Especially his mind. She loved his mind, although, right at that moment, when he was looking so handsome in a dark suit, so appropriate for a wedding, she thought maybe she could love his body even more. Well. Equally.
He held out his hand to her. "You look beautiful, princess."
He always called her princess when they were alone. Never in front of others. He made her feel like a princess in a fairy tale. Always. No other person in the world was so gentle with her in the way that he was. When violence swirled around them, Gary was always her rock.
"Thank you. I think you're quite handsome tonight as well," she said, a little shyly. She felt shy with him. She didn't know why. Gary knew her better than anyone else did, but still, it was their wedding and after tonight, they would be bound together in the Carpathian way. Not just in their hearts, but in their very souls. She secretly loved that idea. Being his other half. She loved it, knowing it was better than any fairy tale.
Gary drew her to him, his eyes still drifting over her face. Over her body. Slowly. Taking her in. Appreciating the time she'd spent getting ready. Human time. Not Carpathian. She had carefully put on every article of clothing manually. Taking her time, making it right. Wanting this night to be a mixture of both cultures, human and Carpathian.