Free Redemption by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page B

never contradict you.”
    “Good.” She turned her attention back to Seth. “Lydia wanted a Beauty and the Beast theme for her wedding. I think you look grand.”
    Asmodeus broke out into laughter.
    Once he realized the three of them were glaring at him, he sobered. “Oh, c’mon. Don’t tell me that went over all of your heads. You know, she’s a jackal, A.K.A. beast, and dressed like that,” he gestured at Seth, “he looks like the beauty.” He laughed again.
    Maahes met Seth’s gaze. “I can kill him if you want.”
    “No, don’t do that. I want the pleasure of it.”
    Ma’at stopped him before he could reach Asmodeus. “Your bride is waiting for you. Do you really want to waste time with an annoying demon?”
    “Fine. But after... I want his head on a platter.”
    ###
    Lydia tucked her hand into the crook of Solin’s elbow. Dressed all in black, he was stunning in his coat and tails.
    He covered her hand with his. “You know, you don’t have to do this. It’s not too late to have George take us home.”
    “Daddy,” she whispered to him, “I love Seth.”
    He picked her hand up and kissed her fingers. “I’ve waited your entire life to hear you call me that. Thank you.” He returned her hand to his elbow.
    “I do love you, you know that, don’t you?”
    “Absolutely. And while I don’t like the idea of you marrying that bastard, I promise I will always be polite to him.”
    Yes, but his idea of polite and hers had a bit of a gap between them. Still, her father was trying and for that, she’d give him extra points.
    Ma’at opened the door that led to the hallway. “He’s downstairs, waiting.”
    Dressed in a pale yellow gown, Ma’at made a gorgeous matron of honor. Since Lydia didn’t have a lot of people she was close to and everyone outside of this small group thought her dead, Ma’at had been the best choice.
    Ma’at handed her the bride’s bouquet...
    Pink and white lilies. Her eyes teared up as she gripped the handle. Seth had insisted she carry them.
    “Are you all right?” Solin asked in a worried tone.
    “Hormonal.” The only thing she didn’t like about being pregnant was the fact that she cried over everything. It was terrible.
    Ma’at led them out of the room and into the main hall of her temple, then down to the throne room that had been decorated with more lilies and white crepe. 
    But Lydia barely saw the decorations or the friend Ma’at had brought in to officiate the ceremony.
    All her attention went to Seth in his baroque coat and breeches. She’d known he’d be gorgeous in them, but he defied her best expectation.
    Yeah, he was totally lickable.
    Her father stopped by Seth’s side and hesitated before he kissed her cheek and withdrew to sit beside Thorn and Ambrose.
    Seth couldn’t breathe as he held onto Lydia’s hand and stared down into those brilliant topaz eyes. Dressed in a red gown... the color of a traditional ancient Greek wedding gown, she was stunning. The small red veil was attached to her black hair with diamond-tipped pins.
    Ma’at took her bouquet so that they could approach Savitar who waited for them.
    Savitar looked around at the small group that consisted of Ma’at, Asmodeus, Maahes, Ambrose, Thorn, Solin, and them. “Dearly weird and motley beings, we’re gathered here today for... yada, yada, yada. Seth say something profound to Lydia.”
    It took Seth a moment to focus. While he’d never seen a wedding and had no idea what they entailed, Savitar’s strange introduction didn’t seem right. But since Lydia didn’t appear to mind, he took a breath to speak the words he’d been practicing to say to her. “My Lydia is like a star rising to guide me through the darkest night.” He glanced back at the men and felt a sick rush at speaking the rest in front of them. When he’d written the words, he hadn’t taken into account who his audience would be.
    After a minute of his hesitation, Savitar sighed. “Look, kid, I can say the