“Think of a kid in a candy store,” Gray told me, “but ten times worse.”
“That’s why they refused to have him run the service.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, feeling left out of the secret.
Gray’s fingers brushed along my side. “Any Gods that have a responsibility for love can sanction a marriage. Erik is known for not being able to keep his shit together when he starts.”
Larkin rolled her eyes. “It’s like a drug to him, so his aura is out of control, and at the last one—"
“The last one.” Gray picked up the story. “He couldn’t stop giggling.”
“Has he asked you yet?”
Another groan from Gray that reverberated in his chest. “Of course he has,” Gray answered. He dropped his head against mine and pressed his lips to my hair. “Please don’t give in to him.”
Rearing back, I said, “He wants to conduct our ceremony, doesn’t he?”
“Yes. And I said no, but then said the decision is yours, so let me plead my case.” Gray cupped one side of my face, turning my head until I looked him in the eye. “Erik, my little brother, has been a pain in the ass for our entire relationship. Before our relationship even started. I’ve never met someone so invested in something that technically has nothing to do with him. Please tell him no so we can have a peaceful day.”
I covered his hand with my own. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am deadly serious.”
Turning my head away, I looked at Larkin, who was stifling her laughter. “Larkin?”
“Erik never approved of my marriage, so he didn’t offer to conduct the wedding,” she explained.
“He’s never done it for family? Grayson, we can’t say no to him.”
“Fuck you, Larkin,” Gray spat, but it didn’t seem as harsh as usual. “Why couldn’t you just lie?”
“Because I like to see you suffer.”
My hand slipped around his neck, playing with the hairs on the nape, and he relaxed.
“Fine,” Gray muttered. “But you have no idea what you’re unleashing.”
“Have you set a date?” Larkin asked curiously.
“We haven’t been engaged for very long,” I answered.
“Gods don’t hang around, Scott.”
Gray rubbed my side, warming the skin beneath my shirt. “I think we’ll wait until Quentin gets her acceptance.”
“He’s dragging his feet,” Larkin said, getting onto hers and brushing her skirt down. “He knows the vote will swing in your favour. Just be patient. There’s only so long he can hold off calling the council meeting when everyone is waiting to welcome you home.”
Her words brought a comfort that eased the constant knot in my stomach. I’d discussed it with Gray, the way I fit in amongst the elite and lower Elysians. How Elysia was beginning to feel like home away from home. The waiting made me antsy, as if we might tip back towards uncertainty again, but I continued to spend time with the elite when I could and steered clear of the likes of Aria, deciding not to make things worse.
“Scott,” Larkin said as she walked away from us, towards the office door. “You can count on my vote.”
The rabble moved across the heavens and was so loud it wouldn’t have surprised me if the mortals we resided over could hear us. It had been years since we had a wedding and even those who weren’t invited had taken the celebrations into the streets.
“You know, it really should have been me who conducted the ceremony,” Erik huffed, eyeing the minor God who’d taken his role for the afternoon.
We were at Elva and Ignacio’s reception, held at Ig’s estate. His minimalist home was crowded with guests, flowers, and warmth. The party spilled out onto the grounds of his estate where drinks were being passed around while Gods mingled and celebrated. After all the deaths we’d suffered, a wedding was a welcome distraction.
