Shannon turned back to Brandon with a smile. She stepped up next to him. “Are you ready?”

Brandon’s eyes flicked to Vince, and then Garth stood. I watched him pale, and then he worked a smile onto his face. “Of course I am. I love you.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Let’s get mated.”

He took her hand, and together they turned to the priestess. She waved them closer and smiled, “Come closer. The moon is already in the sky, and the goddess herself is staring down on us.” Shannon and Brandon both stepped up in front of the priestess, and then she waved her hand down to the pillows. “Kneel.”

Shannon dropped to her knees first, one hand still in Brandon’s. She tugged him down. “Come on, babe.” She smiled up at him, and everyone could see his hesitation. Brandon looked back to the crowd. I watched as his eyes connected with Garth. He paled further when he saw Garth playing with a tiny ball of light, doing it in such a way that no one else noticed except me. The threat was there. Garth was showing off his magic, something I wasn’t sure he had until that moment. I focused on Rowan. Garth is on the back pew by himself, in the mask with gold details around the eyes. I watched Rowan start to turn. Don’t look back, you fool. I shook my head. I’m telling you this because he has magic. So, tread very carefully.

I watched as he nodded slightly, and I felt my stomach settle a little. You don’t have to yell at me, my love. I can hear you just fine, his voice whispered in my mind. His lips curled at the edge, and I wanted to crawl into his lap. I must have projected my thoughts because he laughed loudly. Everyone in the room turned to look at him, and murmurs started across the people gathered.

“Is he really drunk off the two or three glasses of champagne?” One of the smallest females there leaned closer to her friend. “I can drink more than that.”

Her friend laughed quietly. “Maybe he doesn’t drink and is a total lightweight.”

A man turned around. “I’ve been to parties in the capital. He drinks… this is weird. I’ve seen him drink bottles and walk straight. Maybe Vince gave him the good stuff?”

The first girl shrugged. “Probably. We aren’t good enough for the good stuff, though?” She scoffed. “A little elitist.” The other two nodded. Shannon’s face pinched as she looked back with a glare. “Shush. She’s looking back.” They straightened and turned back to the front. Shannon glared back at them for another second before turning back to the priestess and Brandon.

She looked up at Brandon and tugged his arm once again. Rowan groaned. “Either shit or get off the pot.”

Everyone frowned in confusion. Brandon turned to look at my mate. “What does that mean?”

Rowan groaned again and huffed out a long breath. “It’s a human saying for either do what you came to do or call it off.” He crossed his arms. “At this point, we have been waiting for almost an hour.” He lowered his voice, or pretended to, and whisper-yelled, “At least it feels like it’s been an hour.” He earned a few chuckles before he coughed and raised his voice back up. “Are we watching you, mate, or are we here to watch you decide if you want to mate…because at this point I’m confused.” He paused for a second. “And hungry.”

He earned a few more chuckles, and Shannon’s face burned red. She tugged at Brandon’s sleeve. “Get down,” she whispered, but I read her lips.

Brandon tried to pull his hand free, and I knew he was going to turn away, but then a deep voice rang out from the very back. ” You are wasting our time. Decide.”

Brandon froze and then dropped to his knees. Garth’s voice was enough to make the decision for him. “I apologize.” Brandon turned to Shannon and smiled. “It was a bet between Derek and me. He wanted me to make it seem like I was confused. But you know how much you mean to me.”

Derek smiled, but I could see the confusion behind his eyes. He hadn’t done any of that, but Brandon was his best friend. He wouldn’t out his lie. He would just go along with it. He laughed. “Sorry, Shan. I had to mess with you one last time for old times’ sake.”

Shannon was smart enough to catch the lie they were feeding everyone. She pointed at Derek and growled. “This is my mating ceremony.”

He raised his hands and chuckled. “I’m sorry, I forfeited the bet.”

Brandon and Shannon both nodded and turned back to the priestess. Brandon smiled. “We are ready.”

She stared at him for a second, then nodded. “Then let’s begin.” She stepped back, and behind her the moon had risen higher into the sky, and the sun was setting. I pulled out my phone and sent another quick text.

Amy: They are just starting now. Everything is in place. It’s a go.