(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips (47 page)

“A pleasure.” Father Tim approached my mother with his hand outstretched.

My mother looked like she’d rather touch a snake but gritted her teeth and let him take her fingertips. “Helen St. Clair. Father, I hope you understand that Gloriana comes from a different background than the Campbells.”

“Yes, we discussed that.” The priest was solemn. “We can only hope that love will help them overcome any differences they have. Now Gloriana was telling me about her church. Do you go there too?” Father Tim smiled. He was relieved that Jerry was marrying a church-goer no matter the religion.

“You go to church?” My mother stepped back from the priest and grabbed my arm. “Gloriana, it is obvious we have much to discuss.”

“About the ‘native dress’, Mother.” I grinned at Jerry. “That’s the Campbell plaid. The Campbell men are wearing their kilts, including Jerry. You should see Jerry in one. He looks amazing.” As I knew it would, it got Mother’s mind off of the religious debate.

“Kilts? Men’s skirts?” Mother turned around when Mars entered the room behind her. “Did you hear that, M-Max? The Campbell men are wearing their kilts to the wedding.”

“Then I think I should wear my usual formal dress, Gloriana.” Mars slipped his arm around my mother’s waist. “What do you think, Helen? We could both wear our court dress.”

“No!” I looked at Jerry for backup.

“And what would that be?” Father Tim was eager to meet my father and had his hand out again, introducing himself. The men shook hands. “Your wife was just discussing the religious differences as well.” He looked at Jerry fondly. “I’ve known this lad for centuries. All I want is his happiness. As I’m sure you want for your daughter. It won’t be easy for them with so many differences between them.”

“Oh, we’ve been against this marriage from the start. Religion is just a small part of it.” My mother was warming up to the priest. “Tried everything we could to get Gloriana to change her mind. Even gave them time apart.” She sighed heavily. “But she claims he is the only man she can love.”

“She not only claims it, she knows it.” I had to put a stop to this. “The wedding is on.”

“It certainly is.” Jerry gave the priest a searching look. “I don’t know where this is coming from but Gloriana and I don’t have any differences now. We’ve worked them out.” Jerry began ushering the group toward the door. He looked at Mars. “Last I heard you were wearing a tux and walking your daughter down the aisle. I doubt Gloriana wants you sporting your court dress tomorrow, do you, my love?”

“Absolutely not. I’ll get my brother to escort me if you show up wearing anything but a tuxedo, Dad.” Miguel was around and had told everyone he met that he was my half-brother. Jerry wasn’t thrilled but he was dealing with it.

“You wouldn’t do that.” Mars looked like he had thunder and lightning on his mind.

“Yes, I would.” I put my hand on his arm. “Remember, Max and Helen St. Clair don’t have court dress. And that’s who you are, right?” I ignored the priest’s puzzled look.

“I suppose.” Mother smiled. “Let it go, Max. I do have the most amazing dress, the one we bought in New York. I’m sure Mag Campbell won’t have anything half as beautiful.” She ignored Jerry’s groan. “Now about these flowers…” she took my arm and dragged me toward the courtyard.

“There they are!” Angus Campbell, the Laird, came bustling toward me. “I see Father Tim got time to bend your ear. Ignore him. He’s been fussing ever since we pulled him onto the plane.”

“Da, why would Father Tim have a problem with this marriage?” Jerry was too close to his father.

“Your mother might have said a few things.” Angus gestured toward where Mag was surrounded by a group of Campbells. I heard her say my name.

“About Gloriana?” Jerry marched straight to his mother and made excuses to the group then strong-armed her over to me. Of course my mother was still by my side, not about to miss a moment if there was a confrontation in the works.

“Gloriana, Helen.” Mag was all graciousness as her eyes swept over both of us.

I dared her to find fault with either our clothes or our manners. Of course I held my mother’s arm in a grip that telegraphed caution. This was my future mother-in-law and frying her with a flaming finger was not going to happen, no matter how she provoked us.

“Magdalena, lovely dress you’re wearing. I saw something like it in New York.” My mother smirked. “Didn’t buy it. I thought that shade of yellow a bit too…”

“Oh, yes. It would look horrid with brassy blonde hair.” Mag countered.

“Ma, I just got through with Father Tim. Clearly you have been spreading your poison about Gloriana.” Jerry took her by the shoulders. “This has been going on since I first brought her home to the Castle. I was a fool for thinking you would come to love her as I do.” He tightened his grip and I saw the Laird step closer. “Obviously you are too damned stubborn to change. So be it.” He let her go and pulled me to his side.

“Jeremiah.” Mag reached out to him.

“No, say nothing. You have one choice. Accept Gloriana and be kind to her or I’m done with you. I love her and am wedding her. She will come first with me. Above all others. If you say one more hurtful thing to her or about her, you will never see me again. Is that clear?”

“Jeremiah Campbell, you’ll not speak to your mother so!” The Laird pushed in between Mag and her son. “Apologize at once! Poison indeed.”

“Da, this is between Ma and me.” Jerry put his shoulder against his father’s. “But if you want to make it your fight too, I can cut you out of my life as well. Gloriana’s my choice. Am I clear?”

Muttering what were probably Gaelic curses, Angus stepped aside. “Mag, the boy has loved her these many centuries,
luaidh
. If you persist in this campaign to discredit the lass, you’ll only drive him away. Your hatred is uncalled for. The girl has done nothing to earn it.”

“She is not worthy to bear the Campbell name. You know that. Who was she when Jeremiah brought her home? Nothing. Nobody. A common--”

“You are singing an old tune, woman. Look at the girl now. She is not that widow who had to make her own way in the world on the stage, Mag.” Angus took his wife’s hands in his and forced her to look at him. “The very fact that our boy still loves her after all this time should be enough to convince you that the lass is worthy. Is hanging onto old ways worth losing him? Truly? Is being right so important to you,
mnaol
?”

Mag looked at me with what could only be described as loathing. The courtyard had grown very quiet.

“Listen to me, woman.” My mother hadn’t moved but her voice rang out and I wanted to slap a hand over her mouth. I couldn’t move. The old freeze trick at work. Shit.

“Do you think her father and I are happy that our daughter is marrying a vampire?” A glass shattered nearby. Surprise, surprise. “Where we come from bloodsuckers are despised. My father only spared your son because our daughter loved him and Jeremiah proved his bravery.” She looked at me. “Oh, yes, Gloriana, your grandfather knows this wedding is happening. He won’t send his blessing, but he is allowing it. You know he could stop it with one gesture.”

“I don’t believe you.” Mag raised her chin. “Who in the hell are you? I didn’t swallow that nonsense about Olympus for one minute.”

Mother looked around. She was in her element here, showing her roots as the daughter of the most powerful god in Olympus. She raised a hand and thunder shook the clear night sky then lightning flashed.

Mars came up behind her and decided to join the party. He glanced at a nearby tree and I wished I could move. Did he remember I was supposed to be married here tomorrow night? Burning down the landscaping wouldn’t add to the ambience. He smiled at me then pointed to a shed at the house next door. He flicked a wrist and the wooden building burst into flames. That caused a gasp from the crowd. Another gesture and rain hit just that one spot, drowning out the fire. We could all smell the wet, charred wood.

Father Tim crossed himself. The crowd was restless and muttering but looking at me with new respect. Flo, Richard and Damian had come running out of the house at the first sound of thunder.

“
Mio Dio
, are your parents going to bring the skies down around us, Glory?” Flo grabbed my arm but soon realized I couldn’t answer her. “Oh, you are frozen. That is too bad of them.”

“Please stop this.” Jerry was still in front of his mother. “Who or what Glory’s parents are isn’t your concern. Helen is right. She and Max are powerful. She’s told you who they are. Believe it or suffer the consequences.” He glanced meaningfully at the smoldering ruin next door.

“Gloriana hates us.” Mag just didn’t know when to quit.

“Ma, I know first-hand that vampires aren’t accepted where they come from.” Jerry stepped to my side. He glared at my parents when he realized I couldn’t move. “When Gloriana was in their homeland, she was mortal again. No, not mortal, more than mortal.” He looked into my eyes and I’d have given anything if I could have smiled back with the same look of love. “She gave up a life that offered her a chance to have children, a normal family and power. For me.”

Mag was now leaning against Angus and they both looked shocked to their toes. Finally Mag drew herself up.

“We are not ashamed of being vampire.” But her voice shook and she flinched when my mother aimed a finger at her.

“And
I’m
not ashamed of my daughter.” Mother had a way of smiling that made you want to beg for mercy. “Our children have made their choices. Now we must live with them. Agreed?”

“I don’t know about that, um, Helen. This woman has obviously made Gloriana’s life hell for a long time.” Mars strutted around Mag and Angus, looking for a fight. “You, sir, what do you say? Is your woman doing all the talking here?”

“By God!” Angus reached for his sword but of course we hadn’t allowed any weapons onto the property. In fact, Damian had employed security to check everyone at the door and they had confiscated a huge array of knives and other hidden weapons. “I’ll have you know I always liked Gloriana. You seem a man of the world. Are you telling me you control this fiancé of yours?” He nodded toward my mother.

I would have laughed if I’d been able. Mother’s eyebrow was up as she waited for Mars to answer that.

“Point taken.” Mars nodded. “Jeremiah, is it true that your father has been on Gloriana’s side in all this?”

“Yes. Da has been fair to her.” Jerry ran his hand through his hair, suddenly tired of the whole thing. Who could blame him? “Now would one of you release Gloriana from the spell you have her under? She’s about to lose it, trapped as she is.” He held my hand. “Anyone who can’t allow this wedding to go on without objection, should leave now and not come back tomorrow night. Is that clear?”

Mother turned and waved her hand so that I was suddenly free.

“Thanks, Jerry.” I threw myself into his arms. “I agree with everything he said. If anyone,” I turned to face my parents, “Anyone, tries to stop this wedding again, we will make him or her very, very sorry. We tie the knot tomorrow night and that’s that.”

“Good news.” The voice from the sliding glass door made everyone turn at once. “Dad, I’m glad you are finally marrying the woman you love. You need help keeping away the naysayers, I’m here for you.”

“Lily. I thought you were on the other side of the world.” Jerry walked over to hug his daughter. “Come meet Gloriana’s parents.”

“Are you sure it’s safe? I saw quite a display from the living room.” She smiled though and came out to get introductions. “Glory, I think I want to hear the story of how you suddenly got parents and such powerful ones.”

“When we’re alone. Sure.” I was happy to see her. Jerry had been texting her, but had been disappointed when she hadn’t responded. “If you have a red dress, I’ll put you in as another bridesmaid.”

“I’d love that.” She was suddenly surrounded by Campbells. “Well, look who else is here.” They took her off to catch up. I noticed she avoided Mag as she greeted her cousins.

“Glory, another bridesmaid? We will not match.” Flo wasn’t happy.

“I’ll say. And I didn’t like the attitude of those Campbells.” Charis was by Flo’s side and they both pulled me as far away from Mag and Angus as the space allowed. “Jerry’s mother seems like a real bitch.”

“Welcome to my world. I’ve been putting up with her for hundreds of years.” I glanced at the huddle of Campbells around Lily. “Excuse me, ladies. If you get a chance, talk to Lily about your dresses.” I left Flo and Charis griping about changes while I went over to Mars.

“Yes, the wine and champagne came earlier in the week and is chilling now.” Damian looked a little badgered. “The caterer has called me six times to confirm the food. Really, Max, it will all work out. I promise you. I have held many Winter Solstice Balls here. The wedding will go off without a hitch.”

“It had better. I want everything perfect for my daughter’s wedding. Where the hell is the band?” Mars sounded like a general, ready to lay into a new recruit. “I want to see the setup.”

“Dad, please trust Damian to know how to do this.” I smiled at Damian then kissed his cheek. “Damian’s parties are legendary. We are so lucky he’s letting us use his home.” I pulled Mars away from our host. “Come here. Let me talk to you.”

“I’m sorry if starting that fire upset you, Gloriana. But I’ll not be pushed around by the likes of those Scots.” He looked over at the vampires, now taking glasses of synthetic blood with alcohol from a circulating waiter. Good call by Damian. Maybe it would mellow them out. Or not. “Notice, Daughter, that I did not call them by a name you could object to.”

“Yes, you’re trying. I appreciate that. And the fire was necessary, I think. To prove to Mag that I come from extraordinary people.” I kissed his cheek. “You are really being wonderful about this wedding when I know you don’t approve of Jerry.”

“I don’t dislike the man. Just what he is. If you love him and he makes you happy, then you’ll have him. At least he’s a warrior.” Mars couldn’t take his eyes off of Mag and Angus. “Wish we could dispose of the family. You know Zeus could arrange a little something. An earthquake or a rock slide at their castle. No one would have to know who it came from. I mean where, of course.” He smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Yes, I need to have a little talk with your grandfather.”