Chapter 302 - The Vampire's Servant

[Echo]

-Three weeks later-

I was in the Alpha’s quarters, getting ready for my wedding. Harmony and Luna Lily helped me into my dress. It came off the shoulders and had a corseted waist that led into a voluminous skirt with a three-foot train.

The material was satiny and seemed to glow. I looked in the mirror and thought I really did look like a princess. They even had a tiara my veil clipped into.

Opal had come to do my hair and makeup. Bellamy brought me a necklace with a sapphire heart. She said it was something blue and borrowed. Another tradition.

In the last week, I’d become acquainted with a few of them. Including a bachelorette party and sleeping alone last night.

I was a little terrified when Harmony, Sean, Lila, and Elle took me to a place where men danced in nothing but tiny underwear. At least a couple of the dancers were vampires and they refused to dance for me because they recognized who I was. They didn’t want to get in trouble with Victor.

The club was owned by a rogue wolf. She let us in, even though we were underage, as long as we didn’t order any alcohol. Bellamy had called in that favor and apologized for not being able to make it out until the wedding. She was dealing with a problem with one of her rogues.

Once I relaxed more, I enjoyed myself. Everyone seemed to be having fun. I really enjoyed being out with my friends and my family.

I smiled at the memory. It was especially funny when Cam busted in while Harmony was getting a lap dance from another werewolf. He almost started a fight, and Harmony started scolding him in front of the whole club. A few of the women who were watching the dancers told him to shake his ass or get out.

He looked appalled. Harmony growled at them and ushered him out the door. After that, we went to a restaurant for dinner and had fun teasing Harmony for her jealous mate.

“You look beautiful, Echo.” Lily said, breaking me out of my reverie.

“Thank you.” I replied.

She had been my constant companion today. While Harmony, Sean, and Elle were getting ready, Lily had been there for me to keep me company. I got to understand more about what it meant to be a Luna. She was the epitome of it. Caring, compassionate, kind, and a supporter to her entire pack.

I wanted to be that as Mistress of the territory. It was hard, because vampires didn’t depend on each other as much as werewolves did. Silence, Talon, and Dennis were open to talking to me about things, though. I appreciated that.

Everyone came back into the room. Harmony was going to be my maid of honor. I had to include Sean, because he was one of my best friends, and Elle because she was teaching me magic and was one of my oldest friends.

Sean’s suit had been altered by some fae tailor so his wings could be out. I wanted him, Rosario, and Maeve to be in their natural forms for the evening. We were all supernaturals. There was no reason for them to hide behind glamour.

We even invited Mrs. Layton, the head of the local coven. She accepted even though Lila would be there. Mostly because Lila was moving out of the territory and in with Marius. She would only come back for visits. It made most of the witches in the area happy.

“We’re about ready. Come on, Echo.” Sean smiled.

I slipped on my high heels and picked up the front of my dress. We made our way down to the gardens in the back of the house. The sun had fully set and our guests were all seated.

Everyone arranged themselves to walk down the aisle. I stood at the back of the procession. Marius came and hugged me briefly before taking my arm and wrapping it around his.

Val had wanted to walk me down the aisle, but Gray had asked him to be a groomsman. He would walk with Elle. Rosario was with Sean and Cam was with Harmony.

I was a little sad that Gray hadn’t asked Victor to be his best man, but he told me he didn’t feel like that was really the place for Victor. I tried to understand. They were friends. They insisted they were friends. Why wouldn’t he want Victor in the wedding?

“You look like an angel, Echo.” Marius told me.

“Do you think so, Papa? I thought I looked like a princess.” I smiled.

“I think maybe you look like both. That must be why your mates call you angel and princess. You are both combined in one perfect package.” He smiled back.

My heart was so full of happiness. I got to wear a pretty dress and make Gray happy. If this was what he needed to make him feel like we were really connected, I would give him that.

It was finally time for me to walk down the aisle. I held my bouquet close and hung on to Marius’ arm. He marched me proudly toward Gray. I smiled as Gray grinned at me.

When we reached the end of the aisle, Marius turned me toward him and kissed my cheek. I kissed him back. It felt right.

Trent was standing behind a podium thing. He nodded toward Gray and turned to Marius.

“Do you give this woman to this man today?” Trent asked.

“No.” Marius said coolly.

I was shocked. This wasn’t how the rehearsal went. He was supposed to say yes, then hand me off.

Everyone else seemed pretty shocked as well. There was a murmur that went through the crowd. I looked to Gray to make sure he was controlling his temper.

He stepped aside and Victor came out from behind Trent. I didn’t know what they were doing, but the mischievous look on their faces made me giggle. Marius hugged me one more time and pulled me away before looking down at me.

“You marked them at the same time. You loved them the same way. They occupy the same space in your heart. I will not give you to one without the other.” He told me. “I only give my daughter to Grayson and Victor.”

“Thank you, Papa.” I said softly.

“Anything for you, sweet Echo.” He replied and kissed me on my cheek once more before letting me go to Victor and Gray.

I handed my bouquet to Harmony and took Gray and Victor’s hands in mine. They were both wearing tuxedos with matching ties, pocket squares, and vests. Both were handsome in their own way and I loved them so much.

“Ladies and gentlemen. This is the first ever marriage and binding ceremony. No objections will be heard, as these three are already bound by supernatural law.” Trent announced. “We gather here tonight, in the sight of the Goddess, to bind these three together. Two in the eyes of human law, and all three in the eyes of their friends, relatives, allies, and supporters.”

We all smiled at each other. I saw Gray slip his free hand into Victor’s. Power surged through us. It made my heart leap.

“Occasions like this don’t come often. The Goddess grants us our mates and the love we wait our whole lives for is finally realized. Echo has had the good fortune to be blessed twice by the Goddess and, in that blessing, Grayson has found another brother, someone to share his heart and his home with. Victor has found an ally who will stand by his side no matter the circumstances and will challenge him when he needs to be challenged.

As they grow in their relationship, the Goddess will guide them to a path with love and prosperity. She watches out for her children and shows them the paths to their true happiness. Each party has created their own vows. Grayson, will you begin?” Trent asked.

Gray nodded to him and smiled at me, squeezing my hand. I didn’t know why I was so nervous, probably because I didn’t have anything prepared to say to Victor. I would have to make something up when it was time.

“Echo, when I first met you I was irrational, impulsive, and selfish. I thought that I deserved your love just because you were my mate. I didn’t think about what you really wanted. Or really needed. Victor taught me how to be the man you needed and how to earn your love and trust. You are my heart and everything I ever dreamed of.

Victor, if not for you, I’m sure Echo would have rejected me as soon as she figured out how to do it. I didn’t understand why you taught me. I couldn’t fathom what would make a man create a stronger rival. But you weren’t creating a stronger rival for Echo’s love, you were creating a stronger man to share Echo’s love.” Gray said. “Thank you for being the partner I needed to grow. Echo, I promise to keep growing and to always cherish you.”

“Victor.” Trent said.

“Echo, I felt a connection to you from the moment I saw you. I thought it was just because you were a dhampyr and all vampires are comforted by the presence of other vampires. You were the first dear friend I’d had in ages. When I realized I loved you, I fought against it. I struggled to reconcile the feelings. I almost gave you up and lost the best thing that had ever happened to me. I promise to always be there for you, to be your guiding light in the storm, to be a safe place when the world is too harsh.

Grayson… Gray, you annoyed me immensely when I first met you. Now, I’m proud to call you my friend and partner. Over the past months, I’ve watched you grow into a confident, caring, young man. I look forward to seeing who you continue to grow into. I vow to be here for you, a sounding board, a hand to hold onto, and a support you can always count on.” Victor promised.

“Now, Echo.” Trent smiled.