Movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention: Fletcher was exiting the back door of the mansion – the very same door that Ava was due to step out of any minute now. Moving at vampire speed, he past the bat pool and advanced across the beach; not stopping until he reached the end of the aisle.

With a smile, he did some kind of weird curtsy. “The girls are ready, they look fabulous, and they’re on their way with Sam.” For Sam to escort Ava and Jude was a symbol that the Grand High Pair approved of and blessed both Bindings. “Big smiles,” he encouraged before skipping over to his seat. It was odd watching someone skip on sand.

“Now both of you relax,” Jared told us. Chico nodded, blowing out a long breath, while I just grunted.

Resisting the urge to fidget with the anticipation rushing through me, I fixed my gaze on the open doors at the rear of the mansion. Moments later, Ava, Sam, and Jude finally stepped out into the warm evening, hand in hand. The very second Ava’s eyes locked with mine, a bright smile lit her face; just like that, my body and mind relaxed. I knew I had a similar smile on my own face.

How could I not smile right now? Fletcher’s ‘fabulous’ comment was an understatement. She looked amazing, captivating, and enchanting in her white strapless gown that I was guessing was satin. While the skirt was ruffled and long, it was knee-length at the front, showcasing those legs I loved. Her gorgeous hair, which always made me think of melted chocolate, was loose around her shoulders and curled slightly at the ends. I was pretty sure I’d never felt more proud or satisfied than I was in that moment.

Soft music began to play and the guests rose. The three women followed the trail of white and pink petals, pausing only to remove their high-heeled shoes at the fringe of the beach. Ava’s eyes didn’t leave mine as she advanced up the aisle, and her smile didn’t once falter. But her stride did when the soft music suddenly spluttered and was replaced by ‘Macarena’.

Not even the slightest bit amused, the three women halted. In unison, their heads swivelled to glare at my squad, who were all looking deceptively innocent. Behind them, Ava’s squad leaned forward and whacked the guys over the head, making them flinch and whine. Jared cleared his throat to disguise a chuckle. Glancing at the other guests, I saw that he wasn’t the only one entertained.

“I’ll kill them,” Chico ground out.

“You’ll try, but I’ll get there first.”

Thankfully Fletcher acted quickly, and soon the soft music was playing again. The women blew out a calming breath and then continued making their way down the aisle. When they finally stopped, Sam placed Jude’s hand in Chico’s and then Ava’s hand in mine.

“Hey,” Ava whispered simply. Her smile had returned in full force.

It took everything I had not to yank her to me and take that mouth. I was about to tell her how amazing she looked when Jared clapped me on the shoulder once again before kissing Ava’s cheek. As he then went with Sam to take their seats on the front row, I turned back to Ava. Quietly, I spoke. “You look –”

I froze as two farting sounds split the air. I looked at Sam and Jared only to find that they were both scowling as they pulled out whoopee cushions from under the white chair covers. Knowing exactly who was responsible, I shot the guys – all of whom were shaking with silent laughter – a snarl. That was when they smiled, revealing blackened teeth.

A loud giggle popped out of Ava, which acted as a catalyst. Suddenly everyone, even the damn Prelate, was laughing…other than myself and Chico.

“They’re dead,” he mouthed to me, to which I nodded in agreement.

Irritated and eager to get started, I turned my glare on the Prelate. With a sheepish look, he pulled himself together and cleared his throat.

“Stop scowling, you’re scaring him,” Ava teased loud enough for only me to hear. I cast her a mock glare that made her giggle again.

Signalling for both couples to face him, the Prelate then began. As the ceremonial words were all spoken in Latin, Luther had explained the gist of the speech to us beforehand: that for vampires, our human-death was not the end, but the start of something new; that we should never take for granted this gift of finding someone to spend our immortal life with.

When the Prelate gestured for us to link hands, Ava and I turned to look at each other. Having joined our palms together, we then spread our fingers wide, and threaded them through each other’s – forming a ‘V’. Ava once again gave me a beaming smile that made me want to kiss her until she couldn’t breathe. Instead, I listened as the Prelate spoke a string of Latin to me.

Thanks to Luther having told me beforehand, I knew the Prelate was asking if I agreed to love, protect, treasure, comfort, support, and laugh with Ava, and to forsake all others, in good times and in bad. Well, obviously. So I responded, “Ita vero.” When Ava then did the same with no hesitation, a sense of self-satisfaction warmed me from the inside out.

Eager to pull her close and finally taste her, I waited damn impatiently as the Prelate had Chico and Jude exchange the same vows.

“Stop scowling,” Ava whispered. “You can’t scowl at our Binding.” But she was on the verge of laughing. I made an effort to soften my expression, but I wasn’t sure I succeeded.

Finally the Prelate signalled for us to exchange blood. Leaning down, I kissed Ava deeply before biting her bottom lip and licking away the rich blood that seeped to the surface. Ava copied the move, wearing the sultriest smile. Minx. As I’d expected, a small wind suddenly built, whipping around us, causing Ava’s hair to lift slightly. I almost jumped as I felt it: what I could only describe as a ‘psychic bridge’ came into place with a sharp snap.

Just as Jared had once described, the pathway was almost like having an additional sense. This bond tied me to Ava so completely that I could sense not just her current state of mind, but her heartbeat, her thirst-level, her location, her energy-level. It was both strange and reassuring, gave me a soul-deep fulfilment that I’d never before known. I would now always be linked to this person that meant more to me than anything else.

I didn’t have much time to marvel over the bond before heat seemed to engulf my third finger, and there was an odd sensation – much like a sharp nail was scratching at the base of the digit. That was when a black, intricate, Celtic-like pattern formed exactly where a wedding ring might have been: a Binding knot. It wasn’t a dull black. Not something subtle or easily missed. It seemed to glimmer and demand attention.