Blade Bound (Chicagoland Vampires 13)

It was a platinum band, inscribed with the tiny oak leaves of his original family crest, taken from the shield that still hung in the House’s training room.

“Well,” he said, emotion bare on his face. He looked up at me, awe shining in his eyes.

“Place the ring on the fourth finger of Ethan’s hand,” my grandfather said, and I slipped the ring onto his finger.

“And repeat after me: I offer you this ring, Ethan, as a symbol of my love and commitment.”

I looked up at him. “I offer you this ring, Ethan, as a symbol of my eternal love and commitment.” I slid the ring home.

My grandfather smiled. “By the power vested in me by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Forever, Ethan said, just for me.

Forever, I agreed, and could all but feel his love, powerful and strong, like a blanket around us both.

My grandfather smiled, lifted his arms. “You may kiss the vampire.”

Ethan wasted no time. His eyes gleaming with power, with pride, he slid a hand around my neck and moved in for the kiss, which was powerful and deep, and singularly possessive.

Our family and friends stood, applauding and catcalling, but Ethan ignored them.

He let the kiss get just heated enough to singe before pulling back again.

The silver in his eyes glowed. “I love you,” he said. Mrs. Sullivan, he added in silence, just for me.

Mr. Merit, I offered back.

He smiled. You are mine and I am yours, whatever the titles.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” my grandfather said, “a Sentinel and her Master.”

“That works,” I whispered, as Mallory handed back my bouquet, Ethan took my hand, and the audience cheered.

;  You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, he silently said, the words just for me.

I smiled up at him. In your long and illustrious life?

In every single moment of it. There is no sunset, no creative masterpiece, no aria or symphony as beautiful as you.

You don’t look so bad yourself, I said with a grin wide enough that it made my cheeks ache.

I glanced at my grandfather, who winked at me. “If you’re ready to begin?”

“I absolutely am,” I said, and offered my bouquet to Mallory, who’d given up completely on holding back the tears. Amit reached over, offered her a handkerchief.

“Allergies,” she whispered with a laugh, and pressed the handkerchief to her cheeks.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” my grandfather said, drawing our attention again. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Ethan Sullivan and Caroline Evelyn Merit in holy matrimony.”

“Woo-hoo!” I didn’t see who yelled it, but given the crowd’s chuckles, they appreciated the sentiment.

“My thoughts exactly,” my grandfather said. “Only a few short months ago, many of the men and women in this room were in very dire circumstances, including our groom. But fate is a crafty woman, and just as we have grieved at times in our recent past, so we have joy tonight, as these two brave and kind and stubborn individuals join together, stand together against fate’s future whims.” He smiled at the crowd. “Let’s help them seal that union in matrimony.”

He glanced at Ethan. “Do you, Ethan Sullivan, take Caroline Evelyn Merit to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this night forward, until death do you part? Again, I mean.”

The crowd chuckled, but Ethan’s expression was set and serious. “I do.”

“And will you love and honor her for all of your days, whether rich or poor, in sickness or in health, for as long as you may dwell on this earth?”