“How are you, dear brother?” Derek asked, clapping a hand against Lucas’s back.
Lucas grinned rakishly. There was still a cute flush to his cheeks. “Haven't been better in a while, actually,” he replied.
Cameron, Liana and their son Cedric, along with their daughter Poppy and Jeramiah, approached behind Lucas and Marion.
Then came Ashley and Landis with their teenage human son, Julian, followed by Mona and Kiev with Brock, Helina and Matteo, and Erik and Abby. They stood with us among the rows of seats, congratulating Xavier and Vivienne.
Ben and River arrived next. Grace and Lawrence walked behind them, hand in hand—Grace without her wig.
Shortly behind them walked Field and the other four Hawk-boys, and then Orlando, pushing his sister in a wheelchair.
As Claudia approached with Yuri, she threw Lucas a wink, which he not-so-subtly tried to pretend he hadn’t seen.
Kira and Micah strolled over with their new baby, Saira walking next to them with hers. All of the wolf cubs were in their humanoid forms now. Both looked as cute as Aiden and Kailyn’s. They appeared to be siblings.
When Brett and Bella arrived from the direction of the caves, they were with the ogre babies they had agreed to take on. Brett carried the one who apparently had a thing for grabbing body parts—as it was trying to get hold of his ears and nose —while Bella carried the other, who was being a bit more well behaved. He sat in her arms, distracted by the crowd up ahead of them.
Bella and Brett still weren’t officially a couple, though they were practically inseparable. They ate and roamed the island together, kept each other company in their caves; the only thing they didn’t do was sleep together. I wasn’t sure what was really happening, whether there was anything at all romantic going on between them, or if it was purely platonic. But if those babies didn’t bring them together, I wasn’t sure what would.
Speaking of babies, we still hadn’t figured out what those odd gray scaly ones were. I suspected that we were going to have to take them to see The Sanctuary’s witches to see if any of them had an opinion on the infants. Maybe we’d take one with us as a sample when we returned to America.
More and more people arrived on the beach as the next hour went by, until it was almost standing room only in the area where Corrine and her team had set up chairs. They had to magick more to accommodate everyone.
Yeah, so much for “low-key”.
Finally, I caught sight of Bastien arriving. He wore a smart black suit, which I suspected Corrine had something to do with. He approached the raised platform that was bedecked with white flowers that Ruby, Hazel and Arwen were still putting in place. He climbed the steps and stood in one corner, gazing at the massive crowd. Bastien was still so new here to us in The Shade. I imagined how nervous he must be feeling to be surrounded by so many strangers. But he’d feel completely at home here soon enough. He was our family now.
Micah left Kira and his new baby son and approached Bastien, which made me happy. It seemed that Micah was going to be Bastien’s best man. Ibrahim also made his way to the platform; he would be managing the formal proceedings, as he usually did whenever he was available.
We began to take seats. I moved to the front row with Derek and sat next to Vivienne, while Xavier made his way to the other end of the aisle to wait for his daughter.
As everyone settled down and we waited for Vicky, my daughter Rose started playing a soulful tune on the piano. I glanced at Vivienne. Her eyes were still glassy. I squeezed her knee, causing her to look at me.
“Everything is going to be fine,” I assured her. I kissed her cheek.
Vivienne drew in a quick breath. “I know,” she murmured, her eyes falling on Bastien. “I know.”
Finally, the second star of the show arrived. Victoria approached the end of the aisle, her three bridesmaids Ruby, Hazel and Arwen carrying her trailing dress behind her. When she reached Xavier, she looped an arm through his. I couldn’t see her face all that well beneath her veil, but I could make out enough of it to see that she was positively glowing. She looked so much like Vivienne in this moment it was breathtaking. The sight of her beginning to move down the aisle, about to enter a beautiful new phase of her life, reminded me acutely of the day Vivienne got married. Xavier’s and her wedding… it truly seemed like an age ago. Ben and Rose had still been babies in my arms. My mind turned back to that glorious afternoon, so soon after we’d triumphed in ridding The Shade of the Elders. Xavier and Vivienne’s special day was a memory I would never forget. That was also the day Ibrahim had proposed to Corrine.
Vicky reached the platform with her father. Xavier kissed her hand before allowing her to climb up to Bastien. As she stood before him, Bastien’s cheeks shone with tears of happiness.
Ibrahim stood between them and conducted the usual proceedings. After exchanging vows and rings, Bastien raised her veil and drew his beautiful bride to him. When their lips locked, Vivienne broke down in tears.
Vicky tossed her bouquet into the crowd. There was a frantic scurry as our younger generation moved to snatch it. It was Hazel who emerged victorious, holding aloft the white roses. Her cheeks reddened as everyone sent wolf-whistles her way.
The formal ceremony over, Bastien and Vicky left the platform and headed to the dance area that had been set up by the rows of chairs, bordered by the group of instruments. They danced alone to a slow, romantic tune created by Rose, Shayla, and several other witches, before other couples began to join them.
Xavier took Vivienne’s hand, while I made my way there with Derek. As I rested my arms over his shoulders and we began to sway, we shared a grin.
“Nostalgic much?” I asked him.
He nodded. “Yup. Every darn wedding.”
I giggled.
As much as I could have lost myself in my husband’s eyes for the next hour, I found myself gazing around at the other couples joining us. After three tunes had passed, many had started to make out. I nodded my head discreetly in the direction of Lucas and Marion, who oscillated near the border of the dancing area. Derek’s chest shook as he chuckled. We quickly looked away as it seemed Lucas might notice us watching.
The lovebirds Grace and Lawrence also hung near the border, alternating between gazing into each other’s eyes and kissing.
Brett’s bellow punctuated the music at one point. When I gazed toward the noise, apparently he’d snapped at one of the misbehaving babies… They all sat on the ground near the food tables—which was where the ogres usually headed straight after any wedding. From where I stood, it looked like one of the babies had upturned his plate. Hopefully he and Bella wouldn’t have second thoughts about adopting them.
Hazel swept past Derek and me, leading a rather lively dance with her twelve-year-old brother. I gazed over at the piano. Caleb had joined Rose in playing a duet.
“Oh, look. Theon’s brought Penelope,” Derek remarked.
I followed his gaze and, indeed, there she was. Her long dark hair hung over one shoulder, in a flowing green gown Queen Penelope Aena looked as regal as ever. Her face broke out in a smile as our eyes met. She stood with Theon, and Theon’s brother Altair, who had also brought his ice dragon wife Merulina along. Lethe was behind them, holding hands with his pretty human wife, Elodie.
We moved to greet our latest arrivals, and by the time we’d returned to the dance, it was more packed than ever. Aisha, and her protruding stomach bump, whirled near us with her husband Horatio, while Anna and Kyle were lost in a world of their own behind us.
Weddings really were the best way to unwind. The stress of the last few months ebbed away as I rested my head against Derek’s shoulder. So surrounded by everyone I loved and held dear, I felt full. Content. At peace with the world.
Even when I thought of our future now—like resuming our mission after our allotted three days were up—it was no longer with dread or fear. There was uncertainty, yes, because we were sailing completely new and uncharted waters. And of course, there would b
e obstacles. But I’d never felt so optimistic about the time that was to come. I was excited. More excited than I’d ever been. I couldn’t wait to witness how everything would play out under TSL’s new management, where supernaturals, for the first time in history, would become a mass force for good, rather than trouble. Working with us to root out evil, rather than cause it.
I suspected that this next stretch of the crazy journey that was Derek’s and my life would be the most thrilling, rewarding and fulfilling so far.
The rest of the evening passed in a high of music, dance and laughter. Once it was time to cut the cake, Derek and I moved over to the food tables along with the rest of the crowd, but we stopped halfway. The phone in Derek’s pocket went off. As he pulled it out and glanced down at the screen, a wry smile instantly curved his lips.
“It’s Fowler,” he said. “Finally.” Gripping my hand, he led me away from the crowd and the noise, further along the empty beach. We stopped by the water, where he answered the call, putting it on loudspeaker.
His blue eyes were on me as he said, “Fowler?”
There was a pause before the man replied in a resigned tone, “Yes, Novak, it’s me.”
“About time,” Derek replied tersely.
Another pause.
“I suppose I, uh, owe you an apology,” Fowler said.
“Yes,” Derek said, his dark brows rising. “I suppose you do.”
“Well, you have it, Novak.” As Fowler cleared his throat, there came another beat of silence. “I’ve been appointed your official point of contact again now that you’re back on the job.”
“Well, Fowler,” my husband replied, “in case you didn’t notice, I and my people were never actually off the job. Your ‘firing’ me didn’t have even the smallest effect on our activities…
Because one can’t simply fire a Novak.”
IS THIS THE END OF THE SHADE?
NO, IT ISN’T!
There will be a Season 5!
*Yay!*
Dearest Shaddict,
Yup, that’s right. Although the Season 4 story arc has wrapped in this book, you will be returning to The Shade very soon to reunite with your favorite characters in a brand new heart-pounding adventure!
Keep reading to learn about my two upcoming releases…
1st Announcement:
My non-Shade (and longest ever) novel
Check out the amazing cinematic trailer for my new novel The Gender Game on Youtube by clicking here.
The Gender Game releases September 24, 2016.
If you have enjoyed the Shade books, here are 3 REASONS why you will love this book as well:
1) The Gender Game has everything you've loved about the Shade: the mystery, the unexpected twists and turns, the intense romance... you will experience my signature writing style on every page.
2) It's the longest book I've ever written.
3) I can honestly say I believe this is also the best book I've ever written. I've never had a storyline possess me like this one has -- the characters won't leave my head even when I sleep -- and I've never been as excited to share a book with you.
This story is really something special and I hope you will give it a chance. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised :)
If you pre-order now, you'll lock in the lower launch price (price is planned to rise for the ebook after release):
Tap here to pre-order your copy now!
Here’s what early readers are saying:
"Bella takes this genre to a new level. Imagine the intrigue of Divergent, the suspense of The Maze Runner and the heart-pounding excitement of The Hunger Games. That is the magic Bella is working with her new novel The Gender Game."
"The chemistry between the characters is INTENSE. Forbidden romance at its best!"
"You can never predict where Bella Forrest will take a story!"
"Intrigue, danger and mystery at every corner."
And here’s a preview of the spectacular cover:
Tap here to pre-order your copy now!
2nd Announcement:
A Shade of Vampire 33: A Dawn of Guardians!
The next book in the Shade series, A Shade of Vampire 33: A Dawn of Guardians is the start of “Season 5”, a brand new storyline. New romances to fall in love with. New mysteries to unravel. A new journey to lose yourself in.
Your Shade family is waiting for you in A Dawn of Guardians, releasing September 14th, 2016!
Pre-order your copy now and have it delivered automatically on release day:
If you’re in the USA: Tap here
UK: Tap here
Any other country: Tap here
Here’s a preview of the gorgeous cover (you may need to turn to the next page for it to be visible):
Thank you for reading.
I will see you again very soon…
Love,
Bella xxx
P.S. Join my VIP email list and I’ll send you a personal reminder as soon as I have a new book out. Visit here to sign up: www.forrestbooks.com
(You’ll also be the first to receive news about movies/TV show as well as other exciting projects that may be coming up!)
P.P.S. Follow The Shade on Instagram and check out some of the beautiful graphics: @ashadeofvampire
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And Twitter: @ashadeofvampire
Read more by Bella Forrest!
THE GENDER GAME
The Gender Game
A SHADE OF VAMPIRE SERIES
Series 1: Derek & Sofia’s story
A Shade of Vampire (Book 1)
A Shade of Blood (Book 2)
A Castle of Sand (Book 3)
A Shadow of Light (Book 4)
A Blaze of Sun (Book 5)
A Gate of Night (Book 6)
A Break of Day (Book 7)
Series 2: Rose & Caleb’s story
A Shade of Novak (Book 8)
A Bond of Blood (Book 9)
A Spell of Time (Book 10)
A Chase of Prey (Book 11)
A Shade of Doubt (Book 12)
A Turn of Tides (Book 13)
A Dawn of Strength (Book 14)
A Fall of Secrets (Book 15)
An End of Night (Book 16)
Series 3: Ben & River’s story
A Wind of Change (Book 17)
A Trail of Echoes (Book 18)
A Soldier of Shadows (Book 19)
A Hero of Realms (Book 20)
A Vial of Life (Book 21)
A Fork of Paths (Book 22)
A Flight of Souls (Book 23)
A Bridge of Stars (Book 24)
Series 4: A Clan of Novaks
A Clan of Novaks (Book 25)
A World of New (Book 26)
A Web of Lies (Book 27)
A Touch of Truth (Book 28)
An Hour of Need (Book 29)
A Game of Risk (Book 30)
A Twist of Fates (Book 31)
A Day of Glory (Book 32)
Series 5: A Dawn of Guardians
A Dawn of Guardians (Book 33)
A SHADE OF DRAGON TRILOGY
A Shade of Dragon 1
A Shade of Dragon 2
A Shade of Dragon 3
A SHADE OF KIEV TRILOGY
A Shade of Kiev 1
A Shade of Kiev 2
A Shade of Kiev 3
BEAUTIFUL MONSTER DUOLOGY
Beautiful Monster 1
Beautiful Monster 2
For an updated list of Bella’s books, please visit her website: www.bellaforrest.net
Join Bella’s VIP email list and she’ll personally send you an email reminder as soon as her next book is out! Tap here to sign up: www.forrestbooks.com
Bella Forrest, A Day of Glory
(Series: A Shade of Vampire # 32)
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