CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
AZURA
Azura and Onyx’s life on Nova Aurora ran seamlessly as if she had lived there all her life. She had felt reborn in a strange way with so many new customs, historical information, and sights she had never seen, all at her fingertips as the fiancée of the famous dragon-shifting billionaire.
She had learned to indulge herself in every way, all with Onyx’s encouragement. He spared no expense for their wedding, which was going to take place at the newly remodeled house on Earth. Onyx had contributed to a lot of the planning, which made Azura love him even more.
They traveled back to Earth with Martin and his girlfriend in tow. Gerri was, of course, in attendance and, because of her superb organizational skills, helped design the aesthetic of the wedding. Azura was thrilled to see her again and was thankful she had come into their lives.
“You look stunning, my darling,” Gerri said, holding her arms out for Azura.
They embraced one another, and Azura did not hold back. She had come to see Gerri as not only a friend but as a motherly figure of sorts. She was sure it wasn’t the first time a total stranger had thought of her that way.
“Are you ready to commit yourself to this alpha?” she asked, giving her a friendly wink.
They had arrived at the estate as preparations were being made, from an altar being built in the yard, by the finest craftsmen Onyx could hire, to multiple tents being raised to house their guests for the reception.
Azura gave Onyx a look with narrow eyes, and then her lips rose into a sweet smile.
“I think the real question is,” she began. “Is he ready to commit to me?”
They all laughed as Onyx widened his eyes dramatically, and then they were led inside to their preparation rooms before the ceremony.
Azura wore a fitted wedding gown that displayed her magnificent features beautifully. A few friends from the hotel helped her with her makeup as her guests began to arrive. Her heart was full despite a bit of sorrow as she considered her parents’ absence from the very important day.
When it came time for Azura to walk down the aisle, Martin held her tightly. Instead of the traditional wedding march, they walked down to The Holly'sAir That I breathe.She and Martin had chosen it together as it had been their parent's first dance song.
She tried to keep it together as the sun beamed down on her, a gentle breeze moving through her honey hair. Azura looked down the aisle at her soon-to-be husband and felt a shudder at his handsomeness.
He was wearing a taupe suit with red accents, as were a few of his friends from Nova Aurora, who were his best men. He grinned so widely that his teeth glistened in the midday light.
Azura felt herself begin laughing, tears swelling in her eyes. She knew that there was no point in trying to keep it together because that was who she was, emotional, vulnerable, and ridiculously happy.
They held each other as the minister spoke to their guests. It was a minister from Nova Aurora they had intentionally hired due to the oddness of some of the attendees’ appearances. Onyx was somehow able to reassure her with his eyes when tears of happiness bubbled up inside her.
“Do you take this shifter, in sickness and in health, to be your lawfully wedded husband through galaxies and beyond?” the minister posed.
Azura slid the ring onto Onyx’s giant finger. It, too, was a dragon scale red, looking marvelous on the hand of her soul mate.
“I do,” she whispered.
The minister posed the same question to Onyx, who slid the same shaded ring onto her finger. He was so gentle and delicate. It made Azura’s heart soar.
“Oh, I do,” he said.
The crowd erupted in laughter.
When pronounced husband and wife, they kissed with their guests standing and applauding. Azura felt like she was dreaming.
Before they were set to start the reception, Azura stood at the front of the estate with her new husband and posed for photographs. She and Onyx were unveiling the historical marker plaque, along with Martin, who stood by proudly.
She cast the sheet off jovially while everyone clapped and pictures snapped. They kissed again, and Azura muttered to him over his lips while everyone continued applauding.
“I couldn’t have done this without you,” she said.
Onyx smiled, then kissed her lightly again before whispering back. “You did this,” he said. “You set the intention into the universe, and it responded.”
She pulled his face down for a passionate kiss, and the crowd awed and cooed.