Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [112]
Tears slipped down her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“Blessed is he who finds his destiny and fulfills it.” Gabriel gave Darafer a pointed look.
Darafer turned pale. “I’m out of here.” His wings unfurled and he vanished.
“If Marielle was never banished, then she can go back to heaven?” Connor asked, glancing nervously at the Archangel.
“She can if she wishes to.” Gabriel smiled. “Connor Buchanan. It was never about Marielle’s redemption. It was about yours.”
He flinched.
Gabriel laid a hand on Connor’s head. “Dear soul, the Father loves you greatly.”
“I can be forgiven?” Connor whispered.
“You have proven yourself worthy. Ask the Father and you will receive.” Gabriel stepped back and looked at Marielle. “Have you made your decision?”
She nodded and wiped away her tears. “I’m staying here with Connor.”
“What?” Connor turned to her. “No! Ye canna do that.”
“It is my decision.”
“Nay. I willna let ye do it. Ye canna give up heaven for me. It is yer home.”
She smiled. “My home is here with you.”
“No! Ye canna give up yer immortality. I canna forgive myself if ye die because of me. I lost one wife that way. I canna bear to do it again!”
“Hush!” Gabriel gave them an annoyed look. “This is a simple matter. Marielle Quadriduum, do you wish to take Connor Buchanan as your husband?”
“I do.”
“And Connor, will you have Marielle as your wife?”
“Aye, but—”
“Enough!” Gabriel placed his hands on their heads. “You will be husband and wife, each living as long as the other and remaining as you are now.” He stepped back. “Are we done now?”
“She—she’s still immortal?” Connor asked.
“As much as you are.” Gabriel gave him a wry look. “You can still die, but I’m not in any hurry to see you again.”
“Thank you.” Marielle bowed.
Gabriel grinned. “Thank you. Our Father is greatly pleased.” He spread his wings and with a flash of light, disappeared.
“Congratulations!” Buniel ran forward to hug Marielle.
Zackriel approached her slowly. “I hope you can forgive me. I was told to take your wings. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I was hoping you would help bring about Casimir’s defeat.” He smiled at her. “Well done, Marielle.”
“Thank you, Zack.”
He inclined his head. “May your days be blessed.” His wings unfurled and he vanished.
“You’re married!” Buniel grinned at her.
She laughed. “I guess I am.” She glanced at Connor, who appeared stunned. “You’re all right with that, aren’t you?”
“Aye.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Holy Chri— Sorry.” He gave them an apologetic look. “I thought I was going to end up in hell tonight.”
“You are,” Buniel joked. “It’s called marriage.”
Marielle swatted Buniel on the shoulder. “How dare you. Marriage is a holy sacrament.”
Connor stared at her in amazement. “I thought I would go to hell, but I’m in heaven.”
Marielle hugged him. “We’re married, Connor!”
He grinned. “Aye, we are.”
Buniel laughed. “I’ll leave you with a final blessing.” He rested his hands on their heads, then stepped back. “There. You are completely healed. Go forth and multiply.” He gave Connor a pointed look. “Tonight.”
Then his wings unfurled and he disappeared.
“Bye, Bunny,” Marielle whispered.
“What did he mean by tonight?” Connor asked. “And he said I was completely healed?” He felt his fangs. “Nay, I’m still a Vamp.”
Marielle smiled. “I believe it was your sperm that was healed. At least until you fall into another death-sleep.”
Connor’s eyes widened. “Ye mean tonight? We could— Holy Christ!” He swung Marielle up in his arms and strode away from the henge.
She laughed. “That’s why he said, ‘Go forth and multiply.’ ”
“Aye.” Connor ran up the hill with her in his arms. “For once I think we should follow orders.”
She laughed again.
He reached the top of the hill. “That’s yer home down there. I hope ye like it.”
She glanced at the large stone house. “I love it.”
Connor started down the hill toward the house.