And
that was me.
Not
my evil uncle who had murdered my parents.
My
aunt Remi stood behind me. Her red hair matched my own and her beaming smile
warmed my heart. She clasped my arms and rested her head on my shoulder. Tears
brimmed in her green eyes. “You look beautiful, Salem. Your parents would be so
proud.”
I
patted her hand. “Thank you.”
My
hair was in a French braid with white roses woven in between the strands. My
white dress reminded me of something what Cinderella would wear at the ball
with the white roses around my neckline and at the bottom of my gown. It was so
unlike me, but I wanted to forget my stormy past and start a new world of
shining hope.
Today
was the day. The day I would be queen.
And
today I would marry the man of my dreams.
My
aunt kissed my cheek. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this day.”
I
smiled through my tears. “Stop, or I’ll smear my mascara.”
My
demon wolves, Luna, Bella, Nico, and Remus, stood behind her like sentinels.
They were actually from the Elder Dimension where the Unseelie lived. Strange
to know that I had an ancestor who was an Unseelie, and that’s why they
responded to me. My beautiful wolves followed me everywhere and if I needed
them again, we’d become one again.
Remi
clasped my shaking hand. “Are you nervous?”
“Yes.”
I lowered my head. “I thought more people would be excited that King Calvin was
overthrown.”
She
sighed and lifted my chin. “Change is hard for people, even when it’s positive.
In time, they’ll grow to love you like I have.”
I
looked lovingly down at my wolves. “I think they’re afraid of them.”
“Unfortunately,
your uncle distilled a fear of the demon wolves. It was a way for him to bend
the people to his will.”
Anger
flashed in my eyes. “He deserved to die.”
Remi
rubbed my back. “Today is a joyous day, Salem. Let’s forget the past and
concentrate on the future.” She winked. “Besides, a gorgeous man is waiting for
you.”
My
heart leapt, sending anticipation running through my veins. Mateo was my mate
and now he would be king regent. I could reign as long as he was at my side.
I
brushed my wet cheeks. “You’re right.”
Someone
knocked on the door softly. “Salem, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“We’re
all waiting for you.” Ebony peeked into the room wearing a strapless red velvet
gown. She was my matron of honor, and she looked beautiful with her white hair
piled onto her head, topped off with a red rose crown.
I
braced my shoulders. “I’m ready.” But my voice shook.
Ebony
walked over to me and took my trembling hands. “I know hard this is, Ebony. I’m
still trying to win over the hearts of the dark demons. Being queen isn’t easy,
but you have a strong man at your side.”
The
demon wolves let out a menacing growl.
She
laughed. “And of course, you have your demon wolves.”
Hades
marched into the waiting room of the little chapel. He was a Catalan dragon
with a head of a lion and the body of a dragon and he nudged Ebony.
She
scratched behind his ear. “Yes, I know. You’ll be protect her just like you do
me.”
My
demon wolves came over to Hades and nuzzled him. He was about the same size as
them and fierce. They hadn’t always gotten along, but at least today, they
seemed to have buried the hatchet.
Ebony
scratched behind Hades’ ear. “You’re being a good boy, buddy, getting along
with all the wolves.”
Hades
narrowed his eyes and curled his lower lip, but he didn’t take a chunk out of
any of my wolves. Thank God for small favors.
The
piano player played A Time for Us, and the song drifted into the little room.
The witch Hayley was singing, and she had such a beautiful voice.
Ebony
bowed slightly and winked. “Time to go, your Majesty.”
My
wolves and Hades would follow her. I didn’t have any other bridesmaids and
wanted it simple. I wanted Gloria to be a bridesmaid, but she refused to leave
Ashton’s side. He was still in a coma and hadn’t awakened ever since the demon
Velkan shot him with a demon dart. Not even Hayley could break the evil spell.
It
broke my heart that Ashton was still in the death sleep. He’d been with me
throughout this journey, and I missed him dearly. The Archangels were coming to
the coronation, maybe just maybe they could heal him.
Remi
linked her arm through mine, disrupting my thoughts. “Are you all right?”
I
blinked away my tears again. “I’m just thinking of Ashton.”
“We’ll
find a way to break the spell.”
I
nodded wordlessly as she escorted me to the back of the church. I wanted to her
to give me away.
She
looked at me and whispered, “I never asked you why you picked that song.”
“I
know it’s Romeo and Juliet’s theme song and a tragedy, but it’s not for me. To
me, it means my chains are broken, along with my uncle’s tyranny.”
She
laid her head on my shoulder. “I never thought that, but you’re right. It’s a
new for all of us.”
I
bit my lip. “I just wished more of my people would believe that.”
“They
will, sweetheart. I promise you, they will.”
I
gave her a big smile, even though I only half believed her words. The organist
played Here Come’s the Bride, and I inhaled a deep quivering breath. This was
it. I forced my quaking legs to move.
Mateo
waited for me down at the aisle dressed in a tuxedo that fitted his magnificent
muscles, making him look dashing. Loved and pride glistened in his dark eyes,
turning my body flush. I could hardly wait to feel his hands and kisses all
over me again.
His
curly hair was pulled back into a man bun, highlighting his strong cheekbones
and that debonair smile. Gunnar, the king of the Dark Demons, stood at his side.
He was handsome with his long white hair and crystal blue eyes. He and Hades
had a special bond. Hades was actually a magical tattoo on his chest and would
come to life when he called him.
But
I wasn’t focused on him. I was focused on the tall, dark wolf shifter next to
him. Love and pride reflected in his dark eyes, and soon he would be mine.
My
female wolves, Bella and Luna, stood next to Ebony, and Hades, Remus and Nico
stood next to Gunnar.
In
the middle of the altar was the Archangel Michael. He had insisted on marrying
us, and Mateo and I readily agreed. His white wings were spread out wide, and
his long black hair spread out over his shoulders. He looked like a menacing
godfather in his black and white tuxedo. His sword, Excalibur, was tucked at his
side.
Definitely
not someone you would want to cross.
The
chapel was filled with what I considered royalty. Anton Lange, the Headmaster
of Legacy Academy and Costin Tarus, the Headmaster of Red Rose Academy, were
both vampires and sat in the front row. My friend Quint Dimir, another vampire,
sat with Anton and Costin. He had risked his life to help me regain my crown.
Something I would never forget.
Queen
Gwendoline of the Starlight Kingdom. She was a Fae and had been one of my
closest allies. The Archangel Raphael and the Reaper Stefan Gabor sat on either
side of the Queen. The reapers, Rusty and his mate Julie, sat next to Stefan.
They had helped us in the battle against my uncle and now my friends.
Besides
my friends, the royal guard, and the nobility crowded the last pews. I wanted
it to be more representative of all wolves, the nobility and the lower classes,
not just the elite, but Remi thought it would be a mistake. She said if I won
over the elite, the masses would follow. I wasn’t so sure, since the rich and
haughty had never impressed me when I was in foster care and living in the
trailer park. But in the end, I conceded to her. What did I know about being a
queen?
As
we drew closer, Remi’s eyes were drawn to Stefan Gabor.
I
leaned closer to her. “Stefan looks quite handsome tonight.”
“Shhh.”
Her face turned bright red, but as usual, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Remi
and I stood in front of the Archangel Michael and my knees wouldn’t stop
knocking.
“Who
gives the woman away?” Despite his power, his voice was soft.
Remi
puffed up her chest. “I do.”
Michael
gestured with hand. “Stand over here, my child.”
Remi
kissed me on the cheek and took a seat next to Quint. I’m sure she would have
rather been sitting next to Stefan, but there was no room.
Michael
smiled, washing away the usual tension in his handsome face. “We’re here to
join Mateo Ruiz and Salem Willis in matrimony.” His smile faded and scanned the
congregation. “If anyone objects to this marriage, speak now.” But the tone and
glint in his eyes for anyone who dared would be foolish.
He
squared his shoulders and lifted up a gold book he held in his hands. “Good.”
The pages flipped magically and then stopped.
“Mateo
Ruiz, do you take Salem Willis to be your lawful wife and mate, to have and to
hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or for poor, in
sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?”
Mateo
clasped my hand and kissed my knuckle. “Always. I pledged my heart to her
forever.”
I
trembled at his words and I was mesmerized by his words, by his voice, and by
the look of possession in his eyes.
“Salem
Willis,” Michael said. “Do you take Mateo Ruiz, to be your lawful husband and
mate, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for
richer or poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live?”
I
took Mateo’s hand and placed it over my chest. I wanted him to feel the love
swelling inside me. “With all of my heart. I pledged to take him as husband,
mate, and my king.” My voice shook with emotion.
Michael
smiled. “Then, by the power bestowed on me from above, let this bond never be
broken. I pronounce them as husband and wife.”
Mateo
and I turned around to clapping of the front rows. My demon wolves howled and
Hades let out a mighty roar.
There
were halfhearted claps in the back and I pretended not to notice. Ebony was
right. Being queen wouldn’t be easy, but with Mateo at my side, I would rule
the best as I could.
Michael
walked over to a jeweled crown that rested on a velvet podium. It wasn’t as
gaudy as my uncle’s. His crown had been at least five inches tall and loaded
with jewels. Mine was more of a simple diadem with a red ruby in the center,
the same color of the eyes as my demon wolves.
He
lifted up the crown and carried it in between his palms. “I’ve waited for this
day from a far. Salem will unite the Moon Kingdom and bring divisions together.
This is the hour of a new era.” He looked down at me. “Salem, please step
forward.”
Mateo
squeezed my hand as I pulled away from him.
Michael
held the crow high. “Please, kneel.”
I
bowed my head. My heart was beating so hard I thought it would burst from my
chest.
“Salem,
by the authority given on me by the First King…”
The
congregation gasped, and a soft murmurer broke out.
Ignoring
them, Michael continued, “Salem Ruiz…”
I
smiled at now being Mrs. Salem Ruiz.
“Do
you swear to protect your people, to lead them justly, and to bring peace to
your kingdom?”
I
took a deep breath. “Yes.”
“This
crown holds you to your promise and comes with great responsibility. Do you
accept these responsibilities of being a queen?”
“I
do.”
He
gently placed the diadem on my head. “Then I declare you Queen of the Moon
Kingdom.”
People
clapped and cheered. The wolves howled again and Hades led out a loud roar that
practically shook the chapel. I slowly stood and Mateo drew me into his arms
and kissed me hard.
Michael
raised his arms. “I now proclaim them as your queen and king regent.”
More
cheers and claps warmed my heart.
Mateo
slowly released me. “Are you ready for this?”
I
cupped his rugged cheek. “As long as you are at my side.”
Mateo
took my hand and led me down to the aisle. Remi was the first to congratulate
us.
She
hugged me. “You’re like a fairytale. I can’t imagine what I could give you as a
wedding gift.”
I
thought a minute. “There is something you can do?”
She
blinked. “There is?”
“It’s
my understanding that my uncle desecrated Moon Academy. I want to restore it to
its former glory. I give this honor to you.”
She
gasped and put her hand on her chest. “Me? Why me?”
I
looked into her deep green eyes. “Because you were here when my parents ruled.
You know what the academy was like before it was corrupted. This is my greatest
desire.”
The
reception was a whirlwind, and I couldn’t remember how long I danced and
greeted everyone.
Mateo
held my hand as we retreated to our bedroom. “May I ask you something?”
I
twirled my fingers in his long hair. “Anything.”
He
brushed his lips over mine. “Why did you ask your aunt to restore Moon
Academy?”
“Because
I know I’ll never be able to go to an academy now that I’m queen. I have always
wanted to go to one. I always thought it would be Legacy, but I’m queen. We can
rebuild Moon Academy and make it something we can be proud of.”
He
slowly unzipped my dress and brought it down off my shoulders. “You make me
proud and all I want to do is worship your body, my queen.”
I
stepped out of my dress and stood half naked in front of him, blushing as he
flicked his gaze over me. My nipples budded, eagerly waiting for his touch and
his lips on me. He pulled me to him and crushed me against his chest. “You’re
mine.”
“And
you belong to me, my king.” I stripped off his jacket.
He
scooped me into his arms and carried me over to the bed. He ripped my lace
panties off. His hands and lips were all over me, his beard scraping my
sensitive flesh in the most delicious, hot way.
“Take
the rest of your clothes off, my king.”
“How
can I deny you?”
He
stripped out of his tuxedo, and I heard the material ripping. His magnificent
cock was free, and he joined me on the bed. Together, we explored each other’s
body once again. Mateo’s tongue traced delicate patterns over every inch of me,
caressing my breasts, my navel, and I shivered helplessly beneath its seductive
power.
I
ran the tips of over his broad shoulders, marveling at his rippling muscles
beneath my palms.
“I
can’t wait much longer,” he whispered.
I
smiled wickedly up at him. “Then don’t.”
He
spread my thighs and plunged his cock deep inside me. Waves of pleasures
exploded inside me with each thrust. I rocked my hips, digging my nails into
his buttocks, wanting to take him deeper and deeper.
Raging
torments surged through me as my orgasm crested into a river of pleasure. I
screamed out his name.
He
continued plunging until he finally arched his back and spilled his seed. He
collapsed on top of me, panting, still pulsing his hips. “I love hearing you
call out my name.”
I
stroked the back of his hair. “Then make me do it again and again.”
He
kissed my neck. “I will, my queen.”
Mateo
kept his promise, making me cry out his name until I was hoarse. We both fell
into an exhausted sleep, tangled in each other’s arms.
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