Kyrian cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. "Thank you, Amanda."
As she watched him, the joy faded from her face and she gave him a scared look. "Julian and Acheron said you could summon Artemis now and return your soul to her, if you chose to."
"Now, why would I choose such a thing?"
She shrugged. "You're a Dark-Hunter."
He kissed her lightly on the lips. "What I am is a man in love with a woman. I want you, Amanda. For the rest of my blessedly short mortal life. I want to wake at dawn with you in my arms and watch our children play and fight. Hell, I even want to hear them back-talk me."
She smiled at him. "Are you sure?"
"I have never been more sure of anything in my life." She took his hand and led him from the room. Kyrian stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the early morning light in the living room. From habit, he stepped back as he stared at it. The bright sunlight didn't hurt his eyes. There was no burning of his skin. Tightening his hand on Amanda's, he forced himself to walk forward, through the door.
And for the first time in over two thousand years, he walked out into daylight. The feel of the sunshine on his skin was incredible. The warmth, the tingly early breeze. His heart pounding, he looked up into the light blue sky and saw the white clouds. It was a glorious day. One he owed to Amanda. Scooping her up in his arms, he held her close. "All hail Apollo," he whispered. Amanda smiled as she hugged him dearly. "No. All hail Aphrodite."
CHAPTER 18
Kyrian stared in amazement at the wedding band on his left hand. He still couldn't believe the good fortune that had brought Amanda into his life. Seven months had passed since the day Amanda had returned him to the light. Seven wonderful months of being with her night and day. Of helping her to accept, develop, and harness her powers, which were now stronger than his own.
Not that it mattered to him. He still had more than enough of his Dark-Hunter powers left to keep her safe. And her safety was the most important thing to him. That and waking every morning to see the smile on her beautiful face. And now they were married.
Amanda grabbed him from behind and squeezed him tight. "What are you doing out here alone?" she asked.
He turned to see her in her wedding dress. The milky-white color set off her skin to perfection. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and the moonlight glowed in her eyes.
"I was getting some fresh air."
She smiled a smile that made him weak and strong at the same time. "Want to ditch the party and run for it?"
He laughed. "Only eight out of that gargantuan crowd are mine, the rest are your guests."
"Oh," she said, wrinkling her nose."Never mind. It could get really ugly. Besides, my Aunt Xenobia might curse us."
He draped his arm over her shoulders as she led him back into the ballroom of his house. The orchestra played while a hundred and fifty members of the Devereaux-Flora clan danced, ate, and talked. Miguel, Rosa, and Liza sat with Amanda's sister Selena at a table where they were laughing with Grace and her infant son.
Amanda left him to visit with her mother and father. Talon, Nick, Julian, and Acheron closed in around him. Julian congratulated him. "This one's a keeper," he said. Kyrian nodded. "Yes, she is."
"Man," Talon said wistfully. "I'm going to miss our three a.m. bullshit sessions. Wulf's already climbing the walls because he's lost his Doom opponent."
Kyrian smiled as he recalled the lonely nights he had spent with his Dark-Hunter brothers and sisters online. "Tell the Viking not to worry. I'll sneak up every now and again and challenge him."
Acheron took a drink of his champagne. "So, what are you going to do with your short life?"
Kyrian watched Amanda grab three-year-old Niklos up and dance with him. She was going to make a wonderful mother someday. "I'm going to live it. Happily."
Nick had his hands in his pants pockets. "Guess I have to start looking for another Dark-Hunter to serve…" He looked meaningfully at Talon.
"Like hell, Gator bait, don't cast those eyes at me. I don't have Kyrian's patience. Besides, there's only enough room in my cabin for me and my computer."
"Don't worry," Ash assured Nick. "I'll find you someone to serve."
Nick looked horrified. "Please don't do me any favors. I have visions of you sending me up to Alaska to serve Zarek's psycho ass." Kyrian laughed until Amanda rejoined them with a severe frown on her face.
"What is it, baby?" he asked.
"There's, um… a, um…"
The men looked at her expectantly. "Yes?" Kyrian prompted.
"There's a fleet of UPS trucks in the driveway."
The men exchanged puzzled looks before they all headed out to the front of the house where seven UPS trucks were lined up. One of the drivers approached Kyrian. "Hi," he said in greeting. "I'm looking for a Mr. K. Hunter."
"That would be me," Kyrian said.
"Good. Any idea where you want this stuff?"