Succubus Revealed Epilogue

We were married at sunset.Some might not consider that an auspicious measure, unless for me, it was a perfect compromise. I had wanted to be married in the daytime, outdoors, with sunlight streaming everywhere. Seeing as Cody and Peter wanted to attend, however, the sun presented a little difficulty. And since Peter had basic completelyy acted as hymeneals coordinator for me, it seemed bod of mean to exclude him. So, we held the ceremony at sunset, and the vampires were able to show up for the reception the instant the sun sank below the horizon.The wedding was held on the grounds of a beachfront resort on Puget Sound. We stood on a grassy hill, facing west toward the water. It was high summer, and everything was bathed in orange and gold. The bridesmaids (all Mortensen girls) wore red dresses that asked as though theyd been designed with the sunset in mind and carried white clusters of stephanotis. Our only nod to decorations was an ivy-strewn arch that the absenticiant stoo d in front of. With so much beauty round us, nothing else had seemed necessary.I repeated my vows while holding bents hands. Each word I spoke was infinitely powerful, and yet I wouldnt really remember both of them until later. For those minutes, my whole world was focused on his face, on the amber gold of his eye and the way the light played off his hairsbreadth. Love burned deep down me and between us, making everything else a fog of indistinct details. on that point was only Seth and me. Me and Seth.There was a dreamlike quality to it all. The meanings seemed suspended in time. And yet, afterward, when I looked jeopardize, it was as though the entire ceremony had taken place in the blink of an eye. We had a couple hundred people who had gathered to watch us. They all rose from their folding chairs and clapped when we kissed, and I found myself unable to stop grinning when I looked out into that sea of happy faces.The reception was held on the same grounds, mediocre a lit tle ways from the ceremony. Wed gone to a bit more work with the decorations here. The tables were draped with white linens and bedecked with flowers and candles that created little twinkles of light in the evening shadows. gargantuan torches were set up along the boundaries as well, their flames flicking rapidly as wind picked up from the water. A jazz band set up nearby and began to play, providing terra firma symphony for dinner. They had a distance for dancing afterward too, though I didnt dance nearly as much as Id anticipate to at my wedding. There were too many people to see, too many people to thank for their support. So Seth and I walked around hand in hand, going from sort to group of those we loved.I knew those Asiatic lilies would be a good call, Peter told us conspiratorially, admiring one of the table arrangements. The Oriental ones are bigger, plainly I come up like these complement the roses so much better.Youre a regular flower whisperer, said Hugh, knocking back a drink. He held up his glass to Seth and me in a mock toast. Honestly, your best bit of planning was the open bar.Because it certainly wasnt the band, remarked Doug, strolling oer to where my little group was standing. Geez, Kincaid He paused and reconsidered. Geez, Mortensens, why didnt you hire me? nocturnal Admission couldve totally rocked this place out.I smiled, happy that Doug had come. I honestly hadnt been sure if he would. Because I wouldnt want to burden you guys with the strain of playing family-friendly music for three hours.Very considerate, he said. He glanced around, nodding grudgingly. Aside from that and the fact that the bridesmaids are all under eighteen I gotta admit, you put on a pretty good spread.Thank you, Peter and I said in unison.I kind of agree with Doug about the band, said Cody. I asked them if theyd play The bellyacher Dance, and they said no.I couldve done a bitchin cover of that, said Doug solemnly.Its not so much a failing on the bands p art as it was a request of ours to not play it, said Seth.Sad, said Doug. He slung an arm around Cody. Want to go make a bar stockpile with me? When Cody nodded, Doug glanced at the rest of us. Refill anyone?No, thanks, I said.Doug shook his head. Married for an hour, and youre already picking up his good habits. He and Cody walked off, having an intense discussion about The red jungle fowl Dance, judging from their pantomimes.I leaned my head against Seth, content with everything and everyone in the world. You did a beautiful job, Peter, I said. Seriously. It all turned out great.Considering how underappreciated Peter always felt, I wouldve expected him to revel in the praise, but he actually turned modest. Ah, well. You guys are the main attraction. I notwithstanding provided the He stopped speaking, and as one, he and Hugh glanced off beyond the edge of the torches, into the darkness.What is it? I asked.They exchanged looks. Carter, said Peter.I followed their gaze, unable to see anything beyond the lit perimeter. It had been very easy to become human again, but there were still a few things I had trouble shaking. The loss of my immortal senses was one. Even now, it was weird to be standing with Peter and Hugh and not look them. Their night vision was no better than mine well, actually, I supposed Peters was but it wasnt their eyes that had alerted them to Carters presence.I think he wants to see you, said Hugh gently.I stared off at where they indicated, uncertain what should I do.Go, said Seth softly. You should talk to him.I looked up at him, into those eyes so full of love, and forgot about Carter for the space of heartbeat. It was still too unbelievable to accept sometimes that this was my life, that Seth was my husband. I pressed my lips to his in a quick kiss.Ill be right back, I said.I picked my way through my guests, finding it difficult not to stop and talk to the many well-wishers. When I was out of the safety of the tents and tables, the wind hit me, whipping my hair and veil around and playing with my skirts. My dress had a sweetheart neckline and full skirt with many tiers and layers. Id wanted a princess dress for my wedding day and had gotten one, though it made this walk a little awkward. I soon spotted Carter, standing so perfectly still among some trees that he might crap been one.Mrs. Mortensen, he greeted me, when I reached him. Congratulations. He wore worn gray suit pants, a longsleeved white shirt with the first couple buttons open, and loosely knotted gray and pinko silk tie. A jacket matched the pants and looked like it was two sizes too big. I nodded in approval.Nice of you to dress up, I said. I dont think Ive ever seen you in anything so formal.I shouldve checked with Peter to find out your colors, said Carter, running a hand through his hair. It didnt look like it had been brushed for the occasion. glum if I clash.I smiled. You look great. Thank you for coming.Well, he said. We left off kind of abruptly.That we did, I murmured. This was the first time Id seen him since the trial. Jeromes not with you?No. You wont be perceive him anymore. Well. Carter paused a moment. Lets just say, I hope you wont be seeing him anymore.I plan on staying off Hells radar, I said honestly.He nodded, turning serious. Thats good. Thats kind of why Im here. Ive got two gifts for you. Gifts of information.You were checking my registry, I said. How sweet.We didnt maintain much light, but I swore, I could see his gray eyes twinkle. You said youll stay off their radar, but believe me, theyre going to still have their eyes on you. Hell doesnt lose many soulfulnesss the way they lost yours. If they can get it back, they will. Theyll try. I cheat how close you are to them. . . . His gaze drifted back toward the reception. To Hugh, Peter, and Cody. But itd be better for you and for them if you stayed away from them. If you moved away from them, to someplace where you dont know any of the local imm ortals.I stared in astonishment. Are you saying one of them might try to get my soul? Theyre my friends.I know, I know. And I dont think they would, on the nose, but its an ugly survey for them to be in. You should really think about leaving Seattle. Youll make it easier on everyone if you just remove that temptation.I love Seattle, I said, turning back to look across the dark water. But I love Seth more. Ill talk to him. Andreas been doing better, so we can go. I dont know where, but well figure it out. I sighed and looked back at him. Is your other piece of information less depressing?The smile reappeared on his lips. Yes. Its a big secret. He leaned toward me and said in a interpret whisper, Youre going to have a baby in December.A matching smile came over me. Thats no secret. Not to me, at least. Seth and I had cognise for a little while and had decided to keep it under wraps until after the wedding. We werent going to be able to hide it much longer. I was three months pregn ant, and without shape-shifting, I was subject to the rules of nature. It was a wonder I still fit in this dress.Okay, said Carter. Then try this its a girl.I felt my smile grow. That I didnt know.Or did I? A sudden flashback to the dream Nyx had shown me played through my mind. I hadnt thought about it in a very long time. why did I need to? I was living my own dream. But in a flash, I saw it again, me holding a bantam girl as we waited outside for her father to come home. And it was snowing.You should really think about leaving Seattle.What are you thinking? asked Carter, studying me.Im thinking there might be a short list of places Ill be pathetic to. I shivered, both from the cold and the memories, and he draped his worn suit jacket over my bare shoulders.Im moving too, he told me.I blinked away from my memories. You are? Where? Why?He chose to answer the last one. Because my job here is done. Time to go on to another.It took me a moment to follow. You dont mean . . . I was yo ur assignment? Im why you came to Seattle?He answered with a shrug.But . . . no, I protested. There must be other things you do here, right? early(a) angelic tasks?Werent you enough? he teased.I was still in disbelief. Carter had been in Seattle for as many years as me. Surely there must have been more to it. Admittedly, no one in Hell ever really understood how the angels worked on their assignments. They didnt have the same level of micromanaging as my former employees. Im just one person. One soul. All your work and energy . . . I mean, it cant all have been just for one soul. An angel cant be solely dedicated to that.Well, he said, clearly enjoying my confusion. It was actually for two souls, since you and Seth were both saved. But even if it wasnt, it still wouldve been worth it. Do you know the price of one soul, Georgina? Its beyond rubies and diamonds, beyond any mortal reckoning. If it had taken me centuries, if it had taken a dozen more angels to help me, it all would hav e been worth it.I lowered my head, feeling rupture come to my eyes. I thought about how often Id disparaged Carter, how many times Id scoffed at the silly, hard-drinking persona he put on. Yet, no matter how much I dismissed him, Carter had always been there in the background, always showing interest in Seth and me. Hed protected me and given me advice, and I spent most of my time mocking him.Im not worthy of that, I said. I might be human now, but I understood how powerful a heavenly brute Carter was. I dont deserve that much regard.He reached out and tipped my chin up. You do, Georgina. And if you dont believe me now, then strive to be. Live your life. Be kind. Love those you know. Love those you dont know. Be worthy of your soul.A tear escaped, rolling down my cheek and probably messing up my mortal mascara. Thank you, Carter. Thank you for everything.Theres nothing to thank me for, he replied. With a sigh, he glanced up at the starry night. I should be going. And your guests a re probably looking for you. Im sure theyve been banging on glasses with their spoons this entire time. front before you go . . . I hesitated. Carter had already told me so much, but I had to know one other thing. What happened to Roman? Is he dead?Carters amused normal faded. Ah. I dont know.Carter I mean it, he said. Thats the straightest answer youll ever get from an angel. I dont know. I dont think his outcome was good, but I dont know for sure.I swallowed back more tears. He shouldnt have gone.It was his choice, Georgina. He wanted to make a point to Heaven and Hell . . . that, and well, theres more. He did it out of love, and thats no small thing. A sacrifice born of love is almost as powerful a thing as a redeemed soul. Both of them are blows to Hell.I wish . . . I wish I couldve said good-bye. Told him how grateful I am.I think he knows, said Carter. I think he knew exactly what he was getting into and deemed it worthwhile. The best way to thank him now is to do what I sa id. Live your life to its fullest. Take care of your husband and daughter, and let your soul shine.I nodded. I will. Thank you. I almost asked about Yasmine too but had a feeling the answer would be the same shed made her decision. I could only be responsible for my fate, not everyone elses.Bless you, daughter of man, Carter said, his eyes luminous and almost silver now. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and caught my breath. His lips were both burning hot and icy cold. A sense of peace and power flooded me, and for a moment, it was as though I were right on the edge of comprehending all the beauty in the world. I opened my eyes.He was gone.I stood alone on the windswept hill, with the moon starting to shine on the water. In the distance, I heard the laughter and chatter of those I loved and sensed the warmth they held. Picking up my skirts, still wearing Carters jacket over my shoulders, I headed off toward my husband and the rest of my life, off to be worthy of my soul.