“You’re the only guy I’d let get away with that manipulative shit, but hell, I love Ria like a kid sister. Now that I can actually help her cause—which I still find hard to believe—I’ll do what I can. You panthers are sneaky sons of bitches. Why couldn’t you just come out and ask?”
“Now where would be the fun in that?” Cade quipped.
It was a mark of the strength of their friendship that Cade could still tweak him like this. Mitch knew Cade and his powers of persuasion well enough to know that if he’d really wanted to manipulate Mitch—or anybody, for that matter—he could have easily done so without ever letting him realize it. Mitch had seen the sly pantera in action many times before and respected his skill.
Having settled the matter, the men split up, each heading for their own suite of rooms. Showers were in order and then they had to get ready for the party that night.
The bedchamber he and Gina had been sharing was empty when he got there. The women of the Clan had taken her off earlier that morning and kept them separate all day. He’d see her again at the ceremony. For now, he was on his own. Well, he and his Guards were on their own. Harry and Paul were silent shadows that followed him pretty much everywhere he went—even inside the stronghold.
Eventually, he hoped such precautions could be dropped. At least here, on tiger ground among the Clan. But for now, they had to play it safe. Mitch was too new to power to take anything for granted. Especially when there had been so many selfish bastards hiding in plain sight within the Clan itself.
Gisli’s poisonous ways had filtered through the ranks until the weaker members of the group had become as dishonest as he was. Mitch was changing all that, but it was a slow process. He’d rounded up the worst of the thieves, but there were probably lesser offenders still out there. Only time would tell if they planned to reform or move into the spots left open by their predecessors’ downfall.
Mitch spent time on his appearance, though he usually didn’t care much about it. He dressed well, of course, befitting his old position as a Royal Guard, but that didn’t mean he really cared what he wore. As long as he was comfortable, he was happy. But now it seemed he had a team of experts from the village debating every little aspect of his attire for this very special ceremony.
He put on what they’d prepared for him and felt only a little silly in the ermine-trimmed cloak. It was soft and warm. Since the ceremony would be held on top of the glacier that covered the volcano, he might need the warmth of the fur before the ceremony came to an end. They didn’t call this country Iceland for nothing. It was cold out there. Especially at night.
Even if he wasn’t looking forward to the freezing temperatures, Mitch strode eagerly up the slope of the glacier, his spiked boots crunching on the snow-covered ice. His Guards were with him and more waited above with his lady. Mitch couldn’t wait to see her. They’d been apart all day and it had been hard to bear.
Mitch knew he was probably grinning like a fool when he walked up to Gina, but she smiled back at him and everything was okay. Amma Hilda was officiating as priestess, but Mitch noted with interest that the much younger mate of the North American Lords was at her side, helping the older priestess.
The ceremony wasn’t very complicated and Mitch spent most of the time staring into Gina’s eyes, wondering how he’d been so blessed. He felt the strength of the mountain flowing through his veins and knew he would do everything in his power to keep Gina safe and be the partner she deserved.
He only had one thing he really wanted to say to her on this most special of nights. When it came time for him to speak his vows, he knew exactly what to say.
“Gleda, Princess of the tigre blanche, daughter of Fridrik and Snaedis…my beautiful Gina…” He had to clear his throat before he could continue. Nothing had prepared him for the intense emotion of this moment. “My mother saved your life as a child, Gina. I like to think she saved you for me.” Gina sniffed as her eyes filled with tears, but he had to say the rest of what was in his heart. “I will love you for the rest of my days, my love, my heart, my mate. I will protect you and cherish you for the rest of our lives and beyond. My heart to your heart. My soul to your soul. My life to yours, now and forever.”
The mountain rumbled its approval, witnessing their vows from above. Mitch felt its presence in the back of his mind, a brooding energy that would come at his command.
Gina spoke her vows, but all Mitch really heard was her declaration of unending love. The mountain roared its approval in his mind and in reality. It spewed molten rock in a show of light, heat and smoke, calling lightning from the sky in a spectacular demonstration of its power and its joy.