Neither of them knew when, from blushing and gentle confessions, the conversation took a turn for the worse and the couple started screaming at each other for not understanding and over-reacting. Dom had gone, "You know, you shouldn't have kept me in the dark about something like your first fated mate!" That had scandalized Iris, "Me? And how about you? Shouldn't you have told me about your wife being alive while you kissed me?" One thing led to another and, finally, Iris huffed and got up to leave, but stopped at the mouth of the cave after getting reminded of the magically fatal weather because of which they were stuck together in the first place. Dom thought to himself and mentally slapped himself for losing control right when they were about to patch up, just as Iris was contemplating and regretted her rash reaction. But they had too big egos to swallow their words. That was until minutes turned to hours and Nora did not return, which was their only hope to get rescued from t

Dom and Iris cautiously stepped outside the cave once they made sure not even a single drop was falling yet. They had been stuck inside the cave for hours and it was almost sunset when the storm passed completely. The wind was chilly and they had no idea how many casualties had occurred. They also wanted to know what happened to Nora, who had seemed sincere enough but never returned. The environment on the island seemed fresh, just like their relationship, for which the storm had proven to be a blessing in disguise. It had helped the two lovers, admit their wrongs, say apologies, patch up, and spend their time confessing to the feelings for each other that they had tried to look past since they met each other. The cold after-storm breeze nipped at their bodies but it was nothing compared to the warm fuzzy feeling they had inside them due to the passionate fire burning inside their hearts for each other. The feeling of fulfillment due to being able to be with their mate without any m

Iris took a deep breath and tried to control her nerves as Clara fixed a pretty garland on top of Iris' freshly curled hair. Sussane hastened to put a thick, long wild-rose necklace on her shoulders and Lily fixed the foliage bracelets on both of Iris' wrists. "Don't you look gorgeous? Reminding me of when I once wore all of these for Nate!" Clara exclaimed, standing back and examining their handiwork. "I remember I was so little, Mom said the same to you when she dolled you up for the Matrimonincipere ritual," Sussane spoke nostalgically. "Lucky you, at least you've met your mother," Lily muttered under her breath though everyone, being super-sensed, heard her. Clara sighed and then picked up the peach blush-on to add some natural blush to Iris' cheeks as she scolded the other two girls, "As much as nostalgic you both might be feeling due to recent circumstances, I know none of you wants to ruin Iris' big day. So let's focus on our bride and Alpha Queen." Iris was being unusually

It had been days since Matrimonincipere, the first pagan-ish ritual that meant the wedding had officially begun. And now everyone was so busy doing this or that with the preparations for the next event, which was that day in the evening. The Nuptias-in-Mari ritual, which means 'the wedding at sea'. Dom and Iris had been given separate discussions about what to expect, what to do, and how to do it for this ritual. Water was the first of the elementals that were supposed to gain Şekileus' blessings. Only the future Alpha Kings and Queens go through these elemental rituals before the mating and wedding ceremonies. The past two days had been on a very different level for Dom and Iris. Their newfound link had been in continuous use as they made sure to mess with each other from afar. Just like this very moment, when Iris had gone to shower for the day and announced it to Dom quite explicitly through the mind-link, making Dom get up immediately and plan to shower as well to make the scal

"Dom, just because we are supernaturals, doesn't give you the right to keep climbing when your wife is stuck!" Iris huffed and wiped the sweat from her brow for the nth time as Dom looked back down and laughed teasingly before continuing his hike. "Seriously, Dom, isn't the reason to do this ritual to help each other, in the first place? Dom!" This time he didn't even look back, only stopped to sip from his water bottle and resumed the tiring hike. Iris glared behind him and tried to free herself, 'Ugh!' It all began a week ago when, after the fire at the feast, the atmosphere was so tense that no one had any idea how to get things back to the cheery celebratory side. A few humans and vampires were dead and many more were injured, among which was the young 'wedding cake bakery' manager, Miss Kate, whom Dom had saved. The question that seemed to be nagging him, as he had discussed with his father, was the reason behind her being there at all. 'What was a bakery manager doing in a f