Page 89 of Of Flame and Fury
Beneath the rays of the moon, in a valley of long ago, we exchange vows.
“I, Tomo Hamamatsu, take you, my beautiful Taran, to love as long as my wolf calls to the moon and the birds serenade to the first rays of the sun. In life and in death, I will love you forever.”
I blink several times and sniff. “You took all the good lines,” I tell him.
He laughs, the happiness behind his dark eyes, helping me to find the right words regardless of all the wrong ones I spent a lifetime speaking.
“I, Taran Wird, take you, my beloved Tomo. You’ve taught me kindness through your compassion, cunning through your strategy, and love with your heart. I am a better person today because you bless me with your presence and honor me with your devotion. I’ll only know reason if you’re present to gift it and happiness as long as you remain at my side. I love you, Tomo. You are my mate and my world.”
Destiny places her hands over ours. “Love has joined two souls as one. From this day forth, and through eternity, the beasts will protect the mates, the light and fire will fortify the union, andno onewill break them apart.”
Gemini bends to kiss me. I welcome him with all my being.
Fate stole many moments. But he couldn’t stop this.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
We spend what feels like the remainder of the night making love beneath the full moon and against the soft grass. Gemini wraps his arms around me to keep me warm and safe in the now very cold and eerie quiet.
I’m dreaming of home, how the warm covers gather around us in our bed, and the comfort familiar surroundings bring. But then our bed starts shaking, and I’m reminded we’re nowhere near home.
“Taran, wake up,” Gemini urges. “Something is happening.”
No, “something” is not happening. All hell is breaking loose.
The valley succumbs to what feels like a massive earthquake. That tall, green grass we slept on crumbles into powder, and rocks and pieces of broken trees bounce along the soil, brutalizing our shins and feet.
That familiar magic I’ve grown to hate gives me a shove. “It’s Johnny,” I say. “He’s losing control of his realm.”
The beautiful midnight sky we were married beneath turns a frightening red, its color bleeding across the horizon and into the soil. As Johnny’s world falls apart, we pay the price. Giant boulders and overturning trees bombard us as they push down the incline. Gemini lifts me in his arms and races across the valley, avoiding the pieces of Johnny’s broken creation.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Somewhere else. We can’t stay here.”
I just about keel over when Destiny’s face presses against the image of the moon, her features distorted as up against glass. “It’s happening,” she says. “Johnny’s power is falling apart. We’re abandoning the manor. You need to get out of here.”
“How?” we ask at the same time.
“Up, and out through the top of the gorge…I think,” she says.
“Youthink?” I ask.
“My view is distorted. You’re all backwards and stuff. Hurry. As soon as you’re out, I’m releasing my hold and blowing this popsicle stand.”
“Destiny, where are my sisters?” I ask.
“Almost out,” Destiny replies. “Aric and the others are trying to get her to the breach the witches created. But they’re not going to make it. Fate is throwing everything he has at them.”
It’s all Gemini needs to hear to amp up his already neck-breaking speed. Destiny’s image fades, and she’s gone.
Dirt and hunks of broken trees pelt us from every direction. I press into Gemini. He curls his body, sparing me from most of it. He bites back a curse when something hard, followed by a harder something else, nails him in the head and back.
“Are you all right?” I yell over the clamor.
“I’m Fine. Just keep your head down,” he says. “I’ll keep you safe.”
The canvas to this painted realm tears open; the raucousness paining my ears.