Thirty-Four
Kai
After an emotional but absolutely pivotal ride, we finally arrive at Katherine’s wedding venue. I feel lame wearing a T-shirt and jeans, but reminding myself that Jasper is myonlyaudience member helps a little. I’m feeling a huge sense of peace at the moment—Irie finally opened up to Jasper, and in turn, I can sense that the weight she carries has dropped significantly. So significantly, in fact, I don’t know how much longer it’ll be before my mission is complete. She seems to be embracing her emotions more and more every day. Yeah, it definitely won’t be long now.
Speaking of happiness, I’m feeling immensely happy for my girl, Katherine. Sure, she may not technically bemygirl anymore, mortally speaking, but I’ll always feel that way about her. Irie and Jasper walk into the chapel, holding hands. I never could have imagined how fulfilling it’d be to watch Irie fall in love.
They sit together on one of the benches at the back of the chapel, whispering jokes into each other’s ear. I can’t help but notice the way Jasper looks at her. He looks at Iris the way she looks at the clouds. Shit, maybe I should pursue matchmaking. I’ll have to ask the Archangels if Cupid is accepting apprentices. There isn’t space for me to sit next to them, so I stand in the back instead, preparing for the ceremony to begin. The venue is all decked out in earthy colors like brown, green, navy blue, and gold.
As if on cue, the lights dim, and classical music begins playing, signifying the beginning of Katherine’s happily ever after. I walk closer to the front to get a better look at everything, then stop dead in my tracks, instantly feeling stunned. At the very end of the front row, I notice a reserved seat for Kai Greene.
I can’t believe it.
Katherine and I were close friends throughout our teenage years but didn’t actually begin dating until college. We dated for years, becoming best friends in the process. She cared for Irie fiercely, in the way I always hoped my partners would care for her. Breaking up with her would ultimately become the biggest regret of my life because not only did I lose my girlfriend. I lost my very best friend. At the time of my death, I was considering attempting to rekindle what we had. However, death waits for no one; it snuck up when I least expected it, otherwise I would’ve acted much quicker. Regardless, seeing that she saved a spot for me warms my heart.
We all rise, then watch the bridal and groom parties waltz in. Finally, Katherine enters, and I kid you not, my heart stops. She looksradiant. Her dress fits her in all the right places, not leaving much for the imagination. She smiles at each and every person she locks eye contact with, landing directly on someone for a second longer than the rest. I follow her eyes to see that Irie is tearing up—that’s been a new thing for her recently. She’s crying more than ever these days, and I’m loving it.
Eventually, her eyes linger on my seat. She gazes at the chair, then looks upward, her honeyed eyes landing on… me. I doubt she can see me, but I can’t take my eyes off of her. Her inner and outer beauty has always stood out. During my guardian training, I briefly learned about soulmates. Mortals fantasize soulmates, but no one really knows whether or not they’re real. I learned that soulmates are indeed real, but it’s incredibly rare for someone to find their mate during their mortal life. A soulmate connection feels otherworldly—you can’t fight the pull, no matter how hard you try. I know it’s a long shot, especially since she’s literally marrying someone else as we speak, but my connection with her feels so strong I can’t help but wonder if we’re soulmates. Maybe, in another life, it would’ve been us. I suppose I may never know, but regardless, I’m eternally happy for my girl. She chose love over fear, unlike what I did all those years ago.
I can only hope Irie does the same. She and Jasper have been getting uncomfortably close recently, but I still can’t tell if she’ll completely let herself fall for him. Likewise, Jasper is so stubborn I wouldn’t be surprised if he denies the true nature of his feelings for an unbearably long time. Only time will tell.
As I watch Katherine say I do, I grin from ear to ear and clap proudly. I meant it when I told Jasper I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Seeing Katherine get her happily ever after makes our entire relationship, all the good and the badmoments, worth it. After the ceremony, Irie begins socializing with friends from high school, so Jasper catches up to me, prompting me to follow him into a grove of trees, away from people.
“It sucks you’re so embarrassed to talk to me, man,” I taunt. “It’s hurting my self-esteem.”
Jasper smirks, obviously stifling a laugh. “So, what’s your history with Katherine like? I saw a seat reserved for you.”
I sigh. “In short, she was my girlfriend for years. We broke up shortly before I died.”
He nods in understanding, patting me on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, man. She looked over at Iris and then at your reserved seat with a lot of compassion. I can tell she loved you.”
“She did. And I loved her too,” I say firmly. A moment of understanding passes between us. “Thank you.”
“Well, we really need to talk about something of dire importance,” Jasper says dramatically, as music in the connected ballroom to the chapel begins to play. It must be time for dancing—the best part of every wedding. I used to get down and dirty on the dance floor in my prime. “I’ve got to tell Iris.”
My heart skips a beat andnotin a good way this time. “What? Why? Things are going so well.”
“That’s the thing,” he runs his fingers through his hair. “I guess things are going well, objectively speaking, but I’m holding back a lot by not telling her the truth, man. My feelings for Iris are getting deeper. I can’t keep this up.”
“I hear you, Jasper,” I sigh. “I did some research in the Archives of the Middle Realm to see what happens when the guarded find out about their angels, but before I could read up on it, I was cast out of the Ancient Library. I guess a lot of those records are private.”
“I see,” Jasper contemplates. “Well, I doubt this situation between us is common. You’re not even technically telling or showing Iris you’re here yourself.”
“Fair point,” I say. “I mean, I can’t control you, Jasper. If you want to tell her now, go for it. Just know that this could impact her journey significantly. Whether that be a positive or negative impact is almost entirely up to her.”
“I understand. I thought about what you said recently.” He pauses. “About me falling for Iris. I feel like this secret is keeping me from finding out if I really have fallen for her. I need to tell her. Tonight.”
“What the hell, tonight?” I exclaim. “Can’t you wait till after the wedding?”
“Kai, with all due respect, I’ve been waiting weeks now to tell her. Iris is opening up to me in so many ways. You, yourself, agreed that she deserves more. Well, sheespeciallydeserves the truth.”
I rub my temples and sigh. He is right. I can’t even deny it. “Okay, do what you think is best.”
He pats me on the back, then heads back to the reception hall, entering the ballroom. I have no idea how their conversation will go, but I can guarantee I’ll be by their sides to pick up the pieces should things go badly. I gaze up at the sky in time to catch the sun setting over the mountains, giving the moon permission to light the sky for the remainder of the evening.
Thirty-Five
Jasper
