Father Lanzoni was of medium height, with warm hazel eyes and wavy black hair going gray at the temples. He was one of the oldest vampires in existence, but, like the other vampires in the room, he was shielding his true nature from Sheree’s parents.
The priest smiled fondly at Derek. “Good evening, my son.”
“Father.” Derek shook the priest’s hand, and then Logan’s.
“Thank you for allowing me to officiate at your marriage,” the priest said.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he said, smiling. “It’s always a happy time when I can join two people in love.”
Derek looked toward the vestibule as Vince escorted Sheree’s mother to her seat.
And then Sheree was there, looking more beautiful than he had ever seen her as she walked down the aisle at her father’s side.
Heart pounding with excitement, Sheree glanced quickly at her surroundings. As Mara had promised, it was a beautiful old church. The altar and the pews were carved from oak. Moonlight shone through the stained glass window above the altar. Candlelight filled the chapel with a warm golden glow, lighting the faces of the wooden statues, but it was Derek who drew her gaze and held it. The man had been born to wear a tux. It emphasized his broad shoulders and long legs, complemented the color of his hair and eyes.
Father Lanzoni smiled at Sheree and Derek, then lifted his gaze to their guests. “We are here tonight to celebrate the joining together of these young people. Who gives this woman in marriage?”
“Her mother and I do,” Brian said. Squeezing his daughter’s hand, he kissed her cheek, then placed her hand in Derek’s.
“My children,” the priest said, his voice low and yet filled with authority. “You have come here this night to exchange your vows in the presence of this company. The secret of a long and happy marriage rests with the two of you. You have only to remember to put your loved one first and your own desires second. Treat your loved one as you would be treated. Never forget the way you feel this night and I promise that the love and devotion you have for one another will grow stronger with each passing day.
“I will pronounce the words that bind you together legally, but the true joining must take place in your own hearts, your own souls.
“Sheree Westerbrooke, do you take Derek Blackwood, here present, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to cherish, for now and ever more?”
For now and for ever more, not until death do you part. “I do.”
“Derek Blackwood, do you take Sheree Westerbrooke, here present, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, for now and ever more?”
“I do.”
“Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you, Derek and Sheree, husband and wife, lawfully and legally wed. Derek, you may kiss your bride.”
Very carefully, Derek lifted her veil, then drew her into his arms. “I love you, wife,” he murmured. “Are you still angry with me?”
“Not as much as I was. Kiss me.”
He kissed her gently at first, and then with greater passion, until the guests burst into applause.
Leaning forward, Father Lanzoni whispered, “Save some for later, my son.”
“Yes, later,” Derek promised, catching his bride’s gaze with his own.
Mara had laid out a feast fit for a king. In addition to salmon and lobster and all the trimmings, there was a beautiful cake and a champagne fountain, as well as several bottles of red wine. Sheree couldn’t help thinking all that food was a terrible extravagance, since only her parents and Abbey Marie were able to enjoy it.
The lights were low. Soft music played in the background.
Brian Westerbrooke mingled with the other guests, obviously impressed by Mara’s home in Northern California and the many expensive paintings and antiques, yet completely at ease with those around him.
Her mother was polite and friendly, if a little standoffish. Sheree wondered if, somehow, her mother sensed that the people she was mingling with weren’t people at all.
The Cordova men all toasted the bride and groom.
Edna and Pearl wished them well.
Kathy, Savannah, and Abbey welcomed her into the family.
Sheree spoke to everyone present, biding her time until Derek was deep in conversation with Roshan and Logan before she took Pearl aside.
“What is it, dear?” Pearl asked.
“I don’t want to be a vampire,” Sheree said, glancing left and right to make sure they were still alone. “Can you make more of your serum for me? Not the one you made for Derek, but the other one. The one you said worked on newly turned vampires.”
“Yes, of course, but are you sure that’s what you want?”
“I’m sure. Will you make me some?”
“Have you discussed this with Derek?”
“No, and I don’t want you to mention it to him or anyone else. Not even Edna.”
“I’ll have to think it over, dear. Derek . . .”
“He turned me without asking if it was what I wanted,” Sheree said. “I don’t need his permission to undo it.”
“It will take me a week or so,” Pearl said. “I’ll be in touch. Thank you for inviting us, but I think we’ll be going now.”
A week or two, Sheree thought. All she had to do now was keep Derek from finding out.
The party lasted until well past midnight. After changing out of her wedding gown, Sheree thanked Mara for everything, and then she and Derek drove her parents back to the Marchand. Her father had a meeting late the next afternoon and they were flying home in the morning.
“Don’t be strangers, you two,” her father said, giving her a hug.
“We won’t.”
Shaking Derek’s hand, her father said, “Take good care of my little girl.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sheree hugged her mother. “If you ever need to come home,” Meredith whispered, “don’t be too proud to do so.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you, too.”
A last hug for her father and Sheree got into the car. She hated to see her parents leave but she was glad the evening was over. She’d been stressed out all night, afraid someone would do or say something that would arouse her parents’ suspicion.
“Stop worrying,” Derek said as he pulled away from the curb. “They didn’t suspect a thing.”
“I know, but I was worried when Mom remarked that everyone looked as if they’d stepped out of a fashion magazine. I could see her checking Kathy’s skin, looking for signs of a facelift. And I almost slipped up and introduced Vince as Rafe’s father instead of his brother. It would have been hard to explain they’re father and son, but look the same age.”