Enchant the Night - Amanda Ashley Page 0,94

your life would get so entangled with theirs. I was vain enough to think I could prevent that.”

“So, what’s going on now that has you so worried?”

“Maybe nothing.” Ava sighed. “I met with the Elder Knight. I’m afraid he’s still out for blood. Quill’s blood.”

“But . . . he gave his word.”

“I’m afraid his oath to the Brotherhood means more to him than his word to Quill.”

Brow furrowed, Callie dropped down on the sofa to untie her shoes. Why did she have to hear about this now, just when she thought all of their troubles were behind them, she mused ruefully as she peeled off her socks. Maybe with Quill she would never have a normal life. He was a vampire. Chances were there would always be someone hunting him.

Slapping her hands on her knees, she grinned at her grandmother. “Good thing he’s got us to watch his back, isn’t it?”

Ava’s laughter filled the room. “Callie, dear, you never fail to amaze me! I’ll see you at six.”

Chapter 40

Callie was a nervous wreck when she arrived at the church. It was a magnificent old place, the walls made of ancient white stone. Light from within shone through the colorful stained-glass windows on either side of the heavy, oak double doors.

“Callie, I can feel you trembling,” Ava said, walking up the steps beside her. “Have you changed your mind?”

“No. I just . . . it’s nothing. A case of bridal jitters, I guess.” She forced a smile. “You look beautiful.” Ava wore a long gown of pale blue with a matching flower in her hair.

Vivian was waiting for them in the vestibule. “Oh, Callie, you look lovely!”

“Thanks. I don’t think you ever met my grandmother. Ava, this is my best friend, Vivian.”

“I’m so pleased to meet you,” Viv said.

“And I, you,” Ava replied with a smile.

Callie glanced inside the church. Quill’s parents were sitting on the front row. The minister, clad in a long, black cassock, stood in front of the altar. Quill stood beside him, looking resplendent in a black Armani suit and tie.

Feeling her gaze, he looked up and winked at her, then signaled to the organist, who began to play the “Wedding March.”

“Here we go,” Ava said, patting Callie’s arm.

Vivian preceded them down the aisle, her steps slow and measured.

When she reached the front, she turned.

“Now,” Ava said.

Hand in hand, they walked toward the altar.

Callie’s heart was beating a mile a minute when she reached the minister. Taking a calming breath, she handed her bouquet to Viv.

“Who giveth this woman to this man?”

“I do.” Ava hugged Callie, then placed her hand in Quill’s and took a step back.

The minister’s gaze rested on Quill’s face and then Callie’s, his expression solemn. “We are gathered here this night to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate instituted of God, and not to be entered into lightly. Do you, Quill Falconer, take Callie Hathaway, here present, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to cherish her in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, and give yourself only to her for as long as you both shall live?”

Looking deep into Callie’s eyes, Quill said, “I do. With all my heart.”

“And do you, Callie Hathaway, take Quill Falconer, here present, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, and give yourself only to him for as long as you both shall live?”

Tears of joy welled in her eyes as she murmured, “I do. With all my love.”

“Then, by the power vested in me, I now declare that you are husband and wife, legally and lawfully wed. Amen.” With a faint smile, the minister said, “You may kiss the bride.”

Quill lifted Callie’s veil. For a moment, he stood just looking at her, as if he wanted to imprint the way she looked on this night of nights deep in his memory. And then he drew her gently into his arms and kissed her.

Callie leaned into him, her heart swelling with joy and peace and excitement. She was his now. And he was hers. Forever.

She smiled when he lifted his head, thinking that tonight she could kiss and caress him to her heart’s content.

Stepping forward, Quill’s father put his arm around Callie’s shoulders. “Now you’re really our daughter,” he said. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

Callie nodded, too choked up to speak.

Quill’s mother took both of Callie’s hands in hers, then leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “If