My grin matched hers as she settled under the arch opposite me, and I could barely drag my gaze away from hers as the wedding march swelled and Riven—dressedin a beautiful white gown with a short veil—stepped outside on her mother’s arm.
Riven and Abydos stood beneath the wedding arch, surrounded by greenery and little white berries of mistletoe as the holy man droned on. Thanks to Garrak’s help, Brooke and I had been able to order and then construct a triple archway covered in plants that held special meaning to orcs. We were surrounded by large fir trees—root balls still attached, waiting to be planted around the property—decorated with white berries and silver glittery garland and not a single cinnamon-scented ornament.
Abydos had been properly appreciative of how much greenery and the natural world we’d been able to incorporate into the ceremony. Yesterday when we’d revealed it before the rehearsal, he’d gone all speechless, then pulled both meandGarrak into a hug, which had been surprising as hells, but thoroughly satisfying.
Myfavorite part of the decorations was the huge sprigs of mistletoe woven throughout the archway. I’d stolen my share of kisses from Brooke as we’d set it up, and I planned on stealing more tonight…
My Mate might struggle with spreadsheets, but her vision was perfection, and the timing even better. As the minister declared the marriage official, and Abydos bent to claim his bride’s kiss, the clock struck midnight, and the tech booth set off the pyrotechnics we’d arranged.
Behind Riven and Abydos, behind the arch, the sky over the ocean and cliffs lit with fireworks. Unlike traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations, these were all silver, white, and green, and arranged to look like stars. Thephotographer’s camera shutter clicked constantly as she tried to capture the magic of the stars exploding behind the wedding kiss.
And I caught Brooke’s eye, grinning proudly.
MyStarr.
“I love you,” I mouthed to her, and her smile grew.
The wedding was small, and as the fireworks finished, Riven ushered everyone inside into the warm dining room, where Brooke and I had carefully arranged seating so everyone would be comfortable. As the servers began to bring in the food Riven herself had helped prepare, Brooke and I helped the quartet move inside, settled with the tech guy, and ensured the rental chairs were prepped to be picked up in a few days.
I knew the midnight dinner would be delicious, and I knew the dancing would last until two, but for now, there was something I wanted more than food.
As Brooke slowly spun in a circle beneath the arch, muttering to herself as she checked things off her mental list, I caught her hand, pulling her to a stop. “Everything is perfect,dkaar. You were brilliant, and the event was magnificent.”
She beamed. “You really think so? I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yes, you could have.” I tugged her until she fell against my chest, so I could wrap her in my arms. “You can doanything, Brooke. But I’ll gladly be there to help support your new business.”
She was going to name itStarr Events, and I’d already helped her apply for an LLC.
With a contented sigh, she snuggled against my chest. “Did I tell you that Tanis’s Mate Ashlyn reached out to me?”
My brows rose. “Doesn’t she own like half of the historic district downtown?”
“More like all of it. She and Mrs. Larue, who does the weekend teas at the museum, want help planning the next gala. They think they can bring in more donors with my help.”
I squeezed her. “Ofcourseyour event will bring in more donors. They’re going to be famous. And Abydos is already planning on hiring you for the next corporate eventRadiancehas to host—not quite as glamorous as the gala, but necessary.”
She tipped her head back, her grin proud. “And Jess put my information on the town’s website, so I’ve already received an email from a bride interested in being married on the island.”
I was proud of her, yeah, but I wasmostproud ofherpride. I loved that she knew she was a success, and I loved that I could be here with her to see it. I leaned down. “I love you,” I murmured, right before I brushed a kiss over her lips. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you,” she murmured back, her arms trying to snake around my middle.
But I straightened, stopping her movement. Her brows rose as I stepped back, glancing up once at the mistletoe dangling over her head.
“Sylvik?”
“I’ve been thinking about another event you could plan, if you wanted to. It doesn’t have to be too big and fancy, just something simple and intimate.”
Her eyes had gone wide, and she stepped toward me, one hand out, panic in her tone when she repeated, “Sylvik?”
I was fucking this up, wasn’t I?
Grinning ruefully, I sank to one knee, and when she sucked in a breath, I knew she understood.
“Brooke Starr,” I began, pulling a ring box from the inner pocket of my jacket, and flipping it open to reveal a gold ring set with a stunningly perfect emerald surrounded by tiny diamonds. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her fingertips pressed against her lips, her wide eyes filled with tears. “Wife?” she breathed.
