Vowed (The Vampire Journals, #7) - Morgan Rice Page 0,27

the flowers, or any of these details. I just want to be married to Caleb. That’s all that matters to me.”

“Well, that’s what we’re here for,” Polly said. “We’ll take care of all of this for you. Is that okay?”

Caitlin nodded. “Please do. Whatever you choose, it’s totally fine with me.” An excited whisper broke out among the room, as the girls started immediately debating and planning what to choose on her behalf.

“OK then,” Polly said, “we’ll decide on all this later. For now, let’s get you out of that dress, and get our pre-wedding day rituals rolling!”

As the girls helped her get out of the dress and back into her other clothes, Caitlin looked over at Polly, puzzled.

“What rituals?” Caitlin asked.

“Why, the pre-wedding wish,” Polly said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Caitlin was still puzzled.

“Before a vampire wedding,” Taylor explained, “the bride is taken to a magical place, to make a wish. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. There is a place not too far from here, where they say that whatever you wish for comes true. It’s our next stop.”

Caitlin knew what she would wish for—but it had already come true. To be with Caleb.

But she didn’t want to disappoint his girls; if this was what was entailed in a traditional vampire wedding, she would go through with it. Besides, she wouldn’t mind seeing more of the island, and getting some fresh air.

Besides, she barely had a choice. In no time at all, Caitlin found herself being dressed by all the girls in brand-new fineries, and whisked, helplessly, out the door.

*

Caleb looked out the castle window from his bedroom, watching with a smile as Caitlin was led out the castle front door, accompanied by all her bridesmaids. He could see the joy in her face, and could see how excited Scarlet was as she clung to Caitlin’s side. It was a magnificent Fall day, and Caleb decided he’d go up to the roof and watch them leave, taking in the beautiful green hills, and the changing leaves. He hurried out his bedroom, down the corridor, and up a stone, twisting stairwell, leading up to the roof.

Caleb strutted across the ramparts until he reached the edge, and looked down and saw Caitlin and the others crossing the drawbridge over the moat.

“Caitlin!” he called out, cupping his hands against the wind.

Far down below, Caitlin turned and looked up, as did the girls surrounding her.

Caleb grinned wide and waved.

“I love you!” he mouthed silently.

She grinned back and waved, silently mouthing the words back. Then she was ushered away by her group of girls.

Caleb stood there, grinning, watching them all go. He couldn’t be happier for her, and he was excited for their upcoming wedding. He knew this was her big girls’ day, and that they’d all be busy preparing for the wedding, going through all the vampire rituals. He marveled at how few preparations the men had to go through, but figured that was the way of things. And frankly, he was relieved not to have to worry about so many details.

Caleb was happy in this time and place. He loved being here, with Caitlin and Scarlet and Ruth and all the others, and he felt relaxed, as if he could let his guard down. The search for the final key was of course in the back of his mind, but he knew there was little that could be done until the new clue’s location revealed itself to Caitlin.

Until then, they could sit back and enjoy. After all, how often did one get married? He was happy to take some time and slow down, and focus on the wedding. He just wanted things to remain the same, to go smoothly, at least until the wedding was over. After that, they could allow their mission to take them wherever it needed to go.

Caleb reflected on all the times and places he’d already been with Caitlin, and he realized, once again, how much he loved her. She had truly become a part of him; at this point, he couldn’t imagine life without her. Once again, he felt a brief pang of anxiety, as he wondered what would happen once they found the final clue. Would they still be allowed to be together? What would their future look like?

As Caleb stood there, leaning against the cold stone rampart in the October morning, wondering if they would ever have a family together, suddenly, there came a voice:

“There you are.”

Caleb wheeled, surprised that