Wedding Vows

  Tales of the Magi Saga

  Book 9

  By

  Andrew Dobell

  The book is Copyright © to Andrew Dobell, Creative Edge Studios Ltd, 2019.

  No part of this book may be reproduced without prior permission of the copyright holder.

  All locations, events, and characters within this book are either fictitious or have been fictionalised for the purposes of this book.

  Welcome

  This book was written as a thank you to the fans of the Magi Saga.

  It serves as an epilogue to the Magi Saga and Star Magi Saga books, and should be read after them, not before.

  This book is light on plot, and only covers the growing relationship between Amanda and Matt as they get closer. As such, this is very much a character piece, where we revisit many characters and locations from some of the previous books.

  I hope you enjoy it.

  Acknowledgements

  Firstly, thank you to two great friends and fellow authors, Mal Cooper and Barry Hutchison, for allowing me to include their characters in this short story.

  These are two amazing people writing incredible stories that I personally love. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity, you’ve been a continual source of inspiration to me, and I cannot thank you enough.

  Check out their books via the links at the end of this book.

  For my Grandfather, who was a continual inspiration and support. I miss you, and this is for you.

  Thank you to my wife and family for their love and tolerance and help. You make everything worthwhile.

  Thank you to my old gaming friends, you guys have inspired this story more than you can know. I have some of the best memories from those hours sitting at the gaming table.

  Thank you to my Editor, Hanna Elizabeth. Your input has been amazing, thank you.

  Thank you to Vicki Blatchley for being my cover model.

  Dedication

  For my boys, my kids, I love you!

  Language

  I’m a British author living in Britain, and I write in British English with British spellings. ;-)

  Booklist

  For full list of Andrew Dobell’s Books, visit his website at:

  http://www.andrewdobellauthor.co.uk/booklist

  Table of Contents

  Welcome

  Acknowledgements

  Booklist

  Table of Contents

  First Date

  Blood is Thicker

  Permission

  On Bended Knee

  Initiating Family

  Dress

  Hen

  Stag

  The Big Day

  Honeymoon

  Messages to the Happy Couple

  Author Note

  Booklist

  Mal Cooper’s Books

  Barry Hutchison’s Books

  First Date

  Opening the wardrobe in her bedroom, Amanda spotted the dress right away. It was hard to miss. The crimson outfit was about as red as her hair, maybe slightly brighter, and very thin.

  The fabric was quite sheer and clung to her when she wore it.

  That was probably why Matt liked it.

  Pulling it from the rack, she hung it on the door and smoothed it down, admiring the intricate applique sewn into the sinuous lines of the garment. They’d been strategically placed so that the otherwise sheer fabric didn’t reveal too much.

  It was a typical Maria creation, made for the ball Amanda had hosted in New York an age ago. It had been quite a daring thing for her back then, and yet, she’d fallen in love with it, wearing it many times since, both for her own pleasure, and because Maria liked her in it.

  Was it a betrayal to Maria to wear this for Matt?

  Probably not. Maria wouldn’t mind. In fact, if she knew her as well as she thought she did, she felt sure Maria would encourage it.

  Matt had admired her in it before. His eyes always seemed drawn to her when she’d worn it, although he’d always tried to be circumspect about it.

  It was tough to hide glances like that from a Magus. Few could do so successfully.

  She didn’t mind, though.

  The attention was nice, and now that things were official, Matt could look to his heart’s content.

  She smiled at the thought of him. He’d been there, a part of her life since the day of her birth. That alone was incredible, but she didn’t really count that as the first time she’d met him. The first time had been in New York when he’d become entangled in the machinations of a Nomad called Angel.

  He was cute, she remembered thinking when she’d first met him, although, she’d not put too much thought into it at the time. As first meetings went, it was certainly an eventful one.

  But once all that trouble with Angel had died down, she’d had time to sit and chat and find out that he’d been there, with Sophia, when she’d first arrived into this world.

  She’d seen him anew then, his easy smile, his friendly attitude and genuine personality. He was a curious man, always fascinated by the Magical world. It was a trait she found endearing.

  He was also a Riven, which seemed to bother some people, and for a brief time, she thought it might bother her, but that was silly. Why would that be an issue? Powers and abilities or not, he was someone she found she could be herself around.

  Following the death of Yasmin, she’d spent more time with him, visiting the Hypernet and just enjoying their time together. He’d been a friend to her, a genuine friend who wasn’t after anything apart from her time and friendship. He didn’t want her power or her Magic or her leadership. He just wanted her to be happy, and he wanted to be a part of that happiness.

  He was easy to be around, and she liked that.

  Getting undressed, she slipped the garment on, and then pulled on the strappy heels that went with it. They were murder to pull on, but they looked great.

  Smiling into the mirror, she grabbed her hairbrush and set to work, pulling it through her hair as she thought about the evening to come.

  ***

  Matt pulled out his suits and laid them on his bed. He had several of them, half of which he’d never even worn beyond trying them on for size. He eyed them critically, frowning as he considered which one would work best.

  He had no idea where Amanda was going to take him, but then, he supposed it didn’t really matter. He was going on his first proper date with her.

  They’d barely seen each other since they had officially gotten together. Amanda’s mission for the Nexus had kept them apart, with only brief moments that they’d managed to steal between missions and crisis. They were like ships passing in the night.

  But finally, all that was over. The Crux were defeated, Anastasia dead, the Nexus safe—for now—and the Archons? Well, who knew where they were.

  But right now, he didn’t care. They were worries for another day. In fact, he wasn’t sure they were even worries for him. They were more Amanda-level concerns.

  Arch Magus concerns.

  What would an Arch Magus like her want to see him wearing?

  With a sigh, Matt shook his head. He was being ridiculous. It didn’t matter what he wore. Amanda just wanted to spend time with him, just like he wanted to spend time with her.

  Although, the idea of her wearing that red dress just for him was certainly arresting, and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t looking forward to it, but that was just superficial.

  What he actually wanted, was to spend time with her. He wanted to laugh and smile and joke with her. He wanted to spend hours just chatting with her, finding out about her and what she thought and felt.

  Amanda was endlessly fascinating. A beautiful and passionate enigma. Someone who put her life on the line for others often with what seemed like little thought for her own life or safety.

  But there was more to her than these big, world-shattering missions she went on. He was desperately looking forward to waking up beside her, to sharing breakfast or a hot drink with her and just holding her close.

  With a contented sigh, he picked a suit at random and put the others back into the closet before changing into it and admiring his choice in the mirror. It was still a good fit.

  He looked down at his gut in the mirror, and sucked it in, and then pushed it out before relaxing. He was fairly fit, but he wasn’t some Adonis with abs of steel, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she wasn’t lowering her standards to be with him.

  What did she see in him?

  She could certainly have her pick of countless men, that was for sure. He knew she was way, way older than he was, but visually, she looked perhaps ten, maybe even fifteen years his junior.

  Would she tire of him as he aged, and she didn’t? Would she seek someone younger?

  He shook his head. No, that was ridiculous. Silly ideas no doubt brought on by nerves and the idea of this being their first actual date. Amanda was anything but callow. He knew, deep down, that she didn’t care about superficial stuff like that. She was interested in him, as a person, just like he was interested in her and who she was.

  Sure, she was undoubtedly beautiful, but that wasn’t why he wanted to be with her, or spend time with her, far from it.

  There was a knock on his door.

  As his heart skipped a beat, Matt’s breath caught in his throat.

  “Coming,” he called, and indulged in one final check in the mirror. His hair was okay, and he felt like he could have shaven, but this would have to do.

  She was here, stood outside his door, in that dress, waiting to go on a date with him.

  He nearly squeaked with excitement.

  Taking another calming breath, he walked to the door and opened it.

  Amanda, a vision in red, stood on the other side, smiling at him.

  “Ready?” she asked, her eyes flicking down to his clothes. “Nice suit.”

  “Thanks.” He smiled back. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

  “Alright, let’s go,” she replied and held out her hand. Matt glanced at it and then took her hand in his, unable to control the grin that spread over his face. The feel of her warm fingers interlacing with his was thrilling. Somehow, that simple gesture made their burgeoning relationship suddenly feel more official—more real. Amanda wouldn’t hold the hand of just anyone, not like this.

  “You look stunning,” Matt said, glancing down at her red dress, and the curves it hinted at.

  “Thank you.”

  “Can you wear anything under that?”

  Amanda winked and grinned. “You’ll have to wait until later to find out.”

  Another huge smile spread over his face. “Oh…”

  They’d yet to sleep together, but not for lack of trying to find a moment, and that promise of making love to her was an intoxicating thought. He knew he’d have to suppress lest it overwhelm him, but he couldn’t resist a brief moment of imagining what it would be like.

  “Here we go,” she said, and Matt felt a surge of energy rush through him as the air snapped, and the scene around him changed. The fleeting feeling of weightlessness and dislocation was always distracting and occasionally nauseating, and this time was no different.

  It did serve to pull his mind out of his fantasy though, which was probably for the best.

  They stood in what Matt thought looked like an atrium, and as he looked out to his right, he could see a city street with cars rolling by and people strolling past. By the signage and the plates on the vehicles, Matt recognised it as the UK, probably London.

  “This way,” Amanda urged and pulled him away from the street. They headed inside, and it was soon apparent they were in a classy restaurant. They were led through to a wide room with wood-panelled walls, a smattering of well-spaced out tables, and a large fireplace that dominated the far wall.

  Above them, flowering vines clung to the ceiling, creating a roof of petals just above their heads.

  They were seated at a table to one side of the room, well away from anyone else, and served wine.

  Matt took a sip as he gazed at his date.

  “What are you thinking?” Amanda asked.

  Replacing his glass on the table, Matt smiled as he swallowed the wine. “Part of me can’t quite believe we’re here, finally. That I’m on an actual date with you.”

  “It took a while for it to happen, didn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it did,” he answered. “I wasn’t sure if it ever would.”

  “Oh? Because you thought I was unattainable? Or because we were nearly killed by murderous dragons and their riders?”

  “Both.” Matt smirked.

  “You thought I was what, out of your league?”

  “Maybe a bit. You’re a Magus, and immortal. I’m just a guy.”

  “No, you’re not. You’re anything but ‘just a guy,’” she replied. “You’re one in a million.”

  Matt felt himself blush. “No, I’m not.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Matt. You’re kind and caring and good company, that means a lot. Okay, sure, you’re a Riven, but I don’t care about that. That doesn’t make you better or worse than anyone else. I don’t value you less because you can’t use Magic.”

  “I know. It’s silly. They’re just stupid thoughts, you know?”

  “Yeah, I know. Even we Arch Magi still get them.”

  “Are you still an Arch Magus, after all that with Anastasia?”

  “Oh, wow. That’s a hell of a subject change.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No, no. It’s fine,” she answered. “Um, honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve not tested myself yet. I’m not as powerful as I once was, that’s for sure, but as for exactly how powerful my Magic is now, I honestly don’t know.”

  “Does it worry you?” he asked, curious about how she felt about it.

  “Not really.”

  “It is what it is, I guess,” he answered.

  “Exactly. There’s not much I can do about it, so why worry?”

  “Good point.”

  “Enough about me, though,” she said, leaning forward. “I’d like to know a little more about you. You’ve got family here in the UK, right? You’ve mentioned them before.”

  “Yeah,” he answered, thinking about his folks in Oxford. He’d not seen them in ages and had kind of avoided seeing them once he’d given up his job and started hunting for the Magi. As he’d begun to realise just how dangerous the world of the Magi was, he’d decided it was probably best that he keep them at arm’s length. That had only intensified once he’d gotten into the Hypernet, or the Dark Web as it had been known back then. “They do. They’re outside of London, in Oxford. My parents, my brother, and my sister all still live there.”

  “I’d love to meet them.”

  Matt’s eyebrows rose. “You would?”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Oh. I’d not really thought that would ever happen, not with you being a Magus and all,” he admitted.

  “Why not?”

  “I want to keep them safe.”

  “We’ll take precautions,” she reassured him.

  “Okay. That would be nice. It would be good to see them again.”

  “You’ve never met my father, have you?”

  “Mr Black? No. I only know him by reputation, so…” Matt wasn’t sure he wanted to meet him, after hearing about what all he’d done.

  “He’s a changed man these days, but like you and your parents, I’ve not seen him for a while.”

  “Do you want to see him, after everything he did?”

  “Yeah, I think so,” Amanda answered. “He’s been through a lot, and I’m hoping he’s turned over a new leaf.”

  “I have met your mother, though.”

  Amanda smiled at him. “You sure did.”

  “That’s not something that’s easily forgotten.”

  “I can imagine. So, would you like to meet my father?”

  “One day, sure. I’m not in any rush.”

  “Shite. Sorry, you must think I’m crazy to be talking about this on our first date.”

  “Not really,” Matt shrugged. “It’s not as if we’re strangers. We’ve known each other for three years now. I think we’re a little beyond asking what our favourite music is.”

  Amanda laughed. It was music to Matt’s ears.

  “Yeah, maybe. Shall we order?”

  Blood is Thicker

  Matt sat on the bed as Amanda pulled on another dress. It was a knee-length affair, white with a fine floral pattern, and a halter-neck top. She adjusted the fit as she scrutinised it in the mirror, twisting back and forth to get a better look at it.

  “This one?”

  “Definitely that one. I like that one, it looks good on you.”

  “You think?”

  “You look gorgeous in anything, babe, but I think that’s perfect for this trip. It’s hot there, right?”

  “Yeah, very.”

  Getting up off the bed, Matt walked over to stand beside her so he could see himself in the mirror too. He wore simple, light-coloured slacks and a short-sleeved shirt. “And you’re sure this is okay for me to wear?”

  Amanda turned and smiled at him before reaching out and adjusting his collar. Satisfied, she patted him on the shoulder. “You look great, don’t worry.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Matt replied, raising an eyebrow.

  Amanda smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “You’ll be fine.”

  Matt took a deep breath. “I’ll just hide behind you if things get crazy.”

  “They won’t get crazy. I told you, he’s put that all behind him now.”

  “And what about that bonkers half-sister of yours?”

  “Echo?” Amanda shrugged. “No idea, honestly. I’ve not seen her on my visits. But yeah, she used to be a little crazy.”

 

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