Mitch knew just how far the mountain would go. This was only a small show of its power, but it seemed to impress the guests.
“Mother Earth approves the match,” Amma Hilda shouted above the distant noise of the mountain, a broad smile on her face. Then she turned to Mitch and gave him quick, quiet instructions. “Show them your power, Mitchell. Call the lightning and silence the volcano. Then they will all know you are the true Tig’Ra.”
He saw the merit in the old woman’s suggestion, but did he dare? He looked at Gina for her input and she gave him a confident nod.
Mitch reached out to the mountain, raising one hand skyward. The mountain immediately quieted while a lightning show played about the crest of the peak, sparking from particle to particle within the rising ash cloud.
“The Grim answers the Tig’Ra,” Amma Hilda intoned, just in case there was any doubt. “The Mother Goddess has spoken.”
Gina watched the people gathered just below them on the slope of the glacier. Mostly they seemed either astounded or troubled by the proof of Mitch’s connection to the sacred mountain. Two identical men narrowed their gaze on Mitch and then looked past him—not to the mountain, but to the young priestess who stood just above her and Mitch on the glacier. Allie had been introduced to Gina earlier as a priestess, but she was also mate to the twin werewolf Alphas from America.
Gina looked at her and found wide-eyed approval in her gaze as she looked from Mitch to the mountain’s fiery peak and back again. Then she turned her attention to Gina and winked.#p#分页标题#e#
“The Mother Goddess speaks in a booming voice of fire and ice to your mate, Lady Gina,” Allie spoke in quiet tones only Gina could hear as the crowd continued to watch the spectacle of lightning and almost deafening thunder. “I see the truth of the Lady’s presence here and I want you to know, the North American Lords will be your allies in whatever trials are coming. My mates stand firmly on the side of the Lady and the Light. As I now know beyond the shadow of a doubt you and your mate do too. I look forward to getting to know you both better.”
Gina bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment. She knew an important part of holding this ceremony and the party after was to build alliances with other shifters. It looked like they might’ve just taken the first step on that political journey. Hopefully it would be the first of many. She couldn’t wait to tell Mitch.
When the light show finally died down, Mitch took her hand and together they walked down the slope of the glacier toward the waiting sleighs that would take them all into the village. It was time to party with her new husband.
Husband. She liked that word. Mate. She liked that one even better. And in about nine months’ time, he’d also be a father. She hadn’t told Mitch yet, but she knew he’d figure it out any hour now as her scent deepened and twined with that of the baby.
And her brother had known. She’d heard what his spirit had said about telling the little one. Gina had known what he meant right away, but apparently Mitch hadn’t quite figured it out yet. He would though. She cut him some slack considering how much had been going on lately. He’d had a lot of changes thrust upon him in a very short time and he was handling it magnificently, in her opinion. He was just amazing. The most amazing man in the world.
She was truly blessed to have found the man who made her life perfect. They’d had a hard road to get to this place, but with a little luck and a whole lot of blessings, they would forge a future for themselves, their Clan and their new family.
She couldn’t wait to get started on her very own happily ever after.
Epilogue
Ria was enjoying the party. Most of the other monarchs were looking at her a little differently now that Mitch treated her as an equal. How things had changed in such a short time. A few weeks ago, Mitch had been just another part of her Guard corps. Now he was a king. Her equal. More than her equal, if truth be told. The man was able to command a volcano, for cripes sake.
She’d had no idea he had that kind of power lying dormant within him. For that matter, she didn’t think he had realized it either. My, how times had changed.
Now Mitch was mated and happy in his new life with a ready-made stronghold that was absolutely incredible. The ice palace was like something out of a comic book, only cooler. Why hadn’t the previous pantera noir rulers built themselves a stronghold somewhere? She would’ve enjoyed not having to move all the time, on the run from her enemies.
Although Mitch had done her a great service in finding the mole that had been feeding her location to their enemies. Horace had done so much damage, even after she’d booted him out of the Clan. He’d still had friends and family among her loyal followers and they hadn’t thought talking to him would put Ria’s life in danger.