Sealed with a Kick by Zenina Masters Page B

and they were excited for her. Berry was having another very good day.
     
    Weddings were designed to be stressful, but with Lasia as her general, all Berry had to do was show up and look pretty. Oh, and she had to agree to marry the fey at the end of the aisle. That part was key.
    Cameras, flowers and pearls were the theme. The gown that Ashko had made for her was all the colours of the sea.
    The beach wedding was appropriate, and they said their vows in front of members of her herd, her family and friends, and highborn members of the fey court who were getting into going to the shifter-fey weddings.
    There was a lot of power in the audience, and it was focused on wishing them well. Berry could feel the bright energy at the shoreline, and it filled her with a sense of well being.
    When the vows were spoken in English and the liquid language of the fey, they exchanged enchanted bands and turned to the audience. The fey were subdued, but the shifters hooted and hollered, applauding wildly.
    Eventually, the raucous energy of the shifters started to effect the fey, and the happy couple took to the dance floor two minutes before an unusual mix of couples swarmed them.
    Hromir, the giant and best man, was dancing with Berry’s mom. Berry saw her dad dancing with an elegant, courtly fey, and she relaxed in the knowledge that at least her people were having a good time. The fey looked startled at the beginning, but that much good will would take down the hesitancy in short order.
    Berry smiled up at Ashko. “This party is going well.”
    “You are the jewelled centrepiece. I am glad you are happy. Your sister didn’t leave any detail to chance. Seals are surprisingly fierce.” He swayed with her in the crowd, steering her through the bodies with amusing skill.
    “As you know, the cute and cuddly is only skin deep.” She winked.
    “I must say that I do enjoy the wild ferocity that lies beneath.”
    Berry felt heat in her cheeks as she met his gaze. In his eyes, she was naked and under him. It was her favourite spot. He did all the work, and his enthusiasm indicated that he enjoyed it. She occasionally acted as the aggressor, but she had to be take-charge when on assignment for the fey, so it was nice to relax at home where she was sure that she was safe.
    “I have noticed your appreciation. Well, I am glad we have made it official. It is definitely nice to have the wedding under our belts so that things can now proceed without getting attention.”
    “What things?” He was suspicious.
    “I don’t know. A family, little people, that kind of thing.”
    He winked. “You mean children?”
    “Well, we will start with one and go from there.” She smirked.
    “Can we start now?”
    “Not on the dance floor. We have guests, and this evening is their chance to see us together looking pretty. We have tonight and every other after that. I will always come home to you.” She smiled and stroked his cheek.
    He kissed her palm and twirled her around the floor. The party was just getting started.
     

Epilogue
     
     
    She was a little unnerved as she woke from her post-labour nap and found a room filled with fey and four nervous shifters.
    “Hey guys. Way to sneak up on a sleeping lady.” She moved around, and Ashko helped her to sit up. “Where is the baby?”
    Her mom was standing with her back to the crowd, and she turned and gratefully walked over with the little bundle of warmth in her arms. “Here she is. They were getting grabby.”
    Ashko nodded and stroked Berry’s cheek. “Every birth is a huge deal, and they want to bestow blessings on the baby.”
    “Leedara. Her name is Leedara.”
    A smiled went through the fey and the shifters alike.
    Ashko looked at his dark-haired daughter and whispered, “Why are they getting so excited? Leedara is a fey name.”
    “It is a family name. I have five ancestors named Leedara, and she is going to carry on that tradition.” She smiled down at the small face with the rosebud