Page 76 of Reapers Don’t Ride

I leaned my head against his shoulder, smiling happily and feeling more than slightly shy. We were married. Or were we? I straightened up. “Was that legal? Richard didn’t take his duties very seriously.”

“It was very legal. He has a license to marry people. He’s so terrible at it, but people keep asking him to do it. He must be very charismatic.”

I gave my husband a small smile. My husband? How could an old spinster like me be so lucky? “That’s the only explanation for why I haven’t stabbed him yet. I keep thinking of ways to kill him, except during the wedding, I was only thinking of ways to get you out of your tuxedo.” Was I blushing? Vampires don’t blush, but I wasn’t a vampire anymore. I cocked my head as I studied him. “No one’s mentioned how shocking it is that such an old woman has snatched a baby out of the cradle.”

“How old are you?” the Music Master of Singsong City asked, coming over with a piece of cake on a plate.

I blinked at her, feeling incredibly awkward. “That depends if you’re counting dead years or just live years. Just live years, I’m thirty-two. Dead years, I’m a hundred and forty-three. Your husband is older than me if we’re counting both.”

She nodded as she studied me. “We were talking about you at the sushi bar after you went to the Scholar’s lab for blood. Gabby adores you, you know. You’re her favorite assassin. Libby was saying that the Ruby was formerly some notorious demon’s assassin, the Blood. That’s you? Very cool. Do you still do the odd job?”

I felt very awkward in that gorgeous gown, talking about whether I still kill people. “I’m trying to put that behind me. Although I’m going to kill your brother if he ever singes my husband again.”

She sighed. “Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone can actually kill my brother. He’s kind of indestructible, otherwise he’d be dead.”

“I can kill anything, particularly with the help of my crew.”

She blinked at me. “You have a crew? You didn’t even have a bridesmaid.”

“Because she wouldn’t allow anyone she cared about to be on a platform that makes them such an easy target,” Chira said, spiraling down while tossing flower petals out of her basket. They were dark red, like blood. She landed lightly and then handed me Crucible, who settled against my neck before chirping angrily at Mirabel.

I was finally able to exhale deeply. The ceremony was over, which was the greatest security risk today. I’d hired Shane and his crew for security detail. It never hurt to have another layer of security, because angels, like everyone else, could fall.

“The perimeter is secure,” Shane said in my ear com, staying in the shadows.

“The wind is good for a fast flight,” Tiago said, coming out from behind Mirabel and eying Gavriel through his monocle before turning to Mirabel. “Music Master. You should play for the guests, give your old friend a chance to escape with his sweetheart.”

She raised her brows while her face soured. “Tiago? You know a world-renowned assassin and you never told me? I am not even slightly surprised. You never tell me anything.” She grabbed his guitar and stalked towards the guests before grabbing Richard.

“We’re going to play a duet for the happy couple. Please everyone, come give us your ear.”

Tiago followed, more like he was concerned about his guitar than anything else.

“You look like an angel,” Chira said, staring at my dress in fascination. “Are those real diamonds? They are! And your cheeks are so pink and pretty. Can I hug you, or will it ruin your outfit?”

I scooped her up into a tight hug, not having to worry about crushing her. She still squeaked until I put her down with a laugh. “Be wary, Chira. Don’t be a fool about the darkness.”

She stuck out her chin. “Who’s going to hurt me when I have your signature on my contract? Nobody. Alive or undead, you’re still my protector.”

I smiled and then carefully handed Crucible over to her. I wasn’t the same indestructible force I’d been, but I’d been working on it, and I’d keep working on it so I could have a long, happy life with my husband. Was I really married to the handsomest angel in the world?

“You’d like me to watch him while you’re on your honeymoon?” Chira’s eyes twinkled while I blushed. I’d forgotten how easily I blushed when I was alive.

“Yes. I’ll see you soon. Take care. All of you,” I added to Shane.

He nodded from the shadows, and then Gavriel scooped me into his arms, and with a rush of wind and ruffled feathers, we were in the air, speeding towards heaven.

“You know,” he murmured close to my ear so I could hear him over the rush of wind. “We could have stayed and eaten cake. Also music.”

“The only music I want to eat is yours.”

He smiled and then flew towards the ocean before doubling back and landing on the roof of a large house that hadn’t been far from the Cathedral. In fact, I could still hear people laughing and the strains of music from the beach.

He took my hand and led me towards the large doors of the broad roof patio, and down stairs until we reached another large wooden door. “This is a wedding present for you,” he said, glancing at me furtively.

I knocked on the door. “It’s very solid. Oak. It will be very good for defense. Much better than stained glass. Thank you.”

He shook his head and opened the door, leading me into the prettiest library I’d ever seen. It was filled with old books, new books, and all others in between. In a corner was a stove with a teapot on it and canisters of hot chocolate. On the table next to the most comfortable looking chair I’d ever seen was a stack of glasses.