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supernatural groups.  Mostly, Elektra told me, the brides were human and the mate-dreams would lead the men to the Centaur city in Canada where they would search for them.  I couldn't help but think how romantic that sounded, and that I was actually living it myself.  I'd had a dream, many of them, about a man and we'd found each other across a crowded street in a world that was alien to me.  All things considered, it was pretty damn cool.
    The homes ended in a lush meadow at the base of the hills and it looked as if the entire Centaur herd had come out to watch us get married.  Women stood by their Centaurs and children watched quietly as Abrax carried me straight down an aisle strewn with white flower petals to the edge of a large lake with clutches of tall trees and fed by a waterfall flowing over the edge of the hills.
    Perseus stood by his father and another Centaur, all wearing decorated vests.  Perseus' hooves stamped nervously and his tail swished, but his eyes were not nervous at all, just excited.  Perseus held his hand out to me and I took it, sliding from Abrax's back onto a round wooden step that put me at Perseus' height.
    His hand was warm in my cold one as his eyes passed over me with heated delight.  Elektra slid from Casper's back with Cosmo's help and joined their family in the first row.
    The Centaur standing in front of us had a silver coat that matched his hair.  I wondered how old he was.
    "There is little that cheers the Centaur spirits then when a bride comes home.  Where before there was loneliness and longing, there will now be love and hope."  Unwinding a length of leaves from his shoulder, he had Perseus and I face each other and hold hands.  He wound the rope of leaves around our hands.
    "The olive leaves and ivy vines celebrate the heritage of our people.  Centaurs originated in Greece, where olive trees grow, and the leaves remind us to look back as much as look forward.  The ivy is a hardy plant, surviving where others cannot, finding root against brick and stone.  The ivy reminds us to be strong and grow, despite hard circumstances.  The tie between husband and wife is as ancient as time itself, and like the olive tree that puts out strong roots and bears fruit for millennia, your marriage will be as unbreakable as the bonds of time itself.  As hot as the sun.  As comforting as the summer breeze."
    He broke the rope signifying us leaving our families and joining together, similar to the human candle lighting ceremony.  He handed Perseus a ring and he picked up my finger and slid the dark metal band on my ring finger, and I was given one to put on his finger.
    "It is with great honor that I present to the herd Perseus and his bride, Daeton.  May the sun always shine upon you.  Kiss your bride, Perseus," he grinned and Perseus, his eyes swirling with dark blue, slid his arms around me and drew me close.
    The world slowed as his mouth drew down and I closed my eyes as his warm, soft lips slid against mine for a bare moment before the herd erupted with applause and stamping hooves.
    I felt him smile against my mouth and a giggle flitted through me as the kiss ended and he gave me his arm so I could sit on his back.  I'd just kissed my husband!  Holy crap.  I was married!
    The herd cheered as Perseus trotted down the flower laden aisle.  He carried me towards the homes and my heart began to pound in my chest that we might already be heading to bed.  Nervous with excitement at what lay ahead, I felt slightly miffed when he stopped just around the corner of one home.  With surprising quickness, he pulled me around until I was cradled in his arms, my legs on either side of his waist with my feet resting on his back.
    I laughed at the abrupt change of position and he captured my laugh in his mouth, sliding his hot tongue past my lips and silencing my laughter.  A small moan caught in my throat as I hugged myself tighter to him with my legs, feeling the chiseled expanse of