COLD FEET by D.d. Colomba

As she stared out the French doors, Jane focused on the gardens below, the roses that would soon bloom with all the colours of the rainbow. New life, as it were. In the fresh March weather it would be some time yet before they could witness the warm blossoms. Her thoughts turned to Vishous, as they always did when she was feeling emotional, vulnerable and yet happier than she'd ever been in her life.

Oh, Christ, was she having the ghost-version of PMS?

Get a grip she told herself, this was not the day to be feeling anything but pure and sheer ecstasy. Today was her Mating Day, officially, eternally, " 'till death do us apart".

Oh God, did she have to say something? Were there vows she had to make? She'd been so busy in the clinic that she hadn't thought about asking any of the other shellans. Hell, she could have asked her sister-in-law, after all she is a Chosen, she would know about these things!

Her name was going to be tattooed on the back on her hellren. Permanently. Forever. No turning back now.

Her feet were literally cold. She had cold feet. Cold. Feet.

No, it couldn't be. It's not like she and Vishous didn't know each other. She knew him, every aspect of him. Hell, every single inch of him. And she loved him. All of him. His intelligence, his arrogance, his fear of...himself and his passions. He wasn't easy to live with but he was hers. For eternity.

Again...get a fricking grip Jane!

Ok, deep breath. Happy thoughts, positive thoughts. No---

Payne walked in the room and Jane turned around. The two females looked at each other and all of Jane's fears disappeared. In Payne's diamond eyes, V's eyes, she saw her future. And it was everything she wanted it to be.

"Are you ready, sister mine?" Payne reached out and a single tear fell from her eyes. A tear of joy. Joy that her brother deserved, had earned and as his shellan she was the reason for this emotion.

"Yes. Most definitely!" She felt a smile enrapture her face and knew from the tingling sensations that she was glowing. Literally.

Jane brought her hands to her hair and touched it up one last time before seeing the male she was to mate, officially, waiting for her down the majestic staircase. She opened the door, and step out of Payne's bedroom where she had dressed and took the first step of the rest of her life...