I gave him a shove and Erik laughed as he almost fell into the pool, face lighting up with joy.
We walked down to the archway that Erik had set up, draped in silk and flowers. As I looked back out to see the seats slowly filling with our guests. Gods and Goddesses and a few choice mortals that were granted access for the day. There was no doubt in my mind that Quentin would have delayed our marriage if she thought that her family and friends couldn’t be here for her.
I spied my parents taking their place. They offered me a small smile, which I returned. Since things with Hunter, they had kept to themselves, although Larkin had visited them on multiple occasions at their request. I was grateful they chose to be here today.
Taking in a deep breath, I straightened out my cuffs and ran my fingers down the gold embroidery. Black and gold. It was the colour scheme of my life these days. All that darkness had finally found its light.
My aura flared out around me, darkening the space around us. My head snapped up, and I smiled at my brother. “She’s here.”
“Breathe, Gray,” Erik reminded me with a laugh.
“Sorry.”
A surge of nerves hit me. I’d never entertained the idea of getting married, but everything to do with Quentin had become something unexpected. Asking her to be my wife felt like the most natural thing in the world. Where else would she be but by my side?
A string quartet started, notes drifting away through the air, and I heard the shift of everyone rising to their feet. It was only when I saw Erik’s eyebrows almost disappear into his hairline that I felt another surge of nerves.
“She looks beautiful, Grayson,” he told me.
I couldn’t wait any longer. Turning around, I glanced down the aisle and, for the first time in my life, I lost my breath.
Quentin stood at the other end of the aisle, arm looped through Cass’s as she looked down and fiddled with the dress—a beautiful white gown that hugged her figure and trailed behind her. And decorating the white, were intricately embroidered black details.
As she looked up, we locked eyes and I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. My aura grew larger around me, enveloping everything nearby in darkness, but it didn’t last as Quen’s aura balanced it out.
Cass carefully gave Quentin’s hand over to me and I took it, bringing it up to my lips.
“Quentin,” I said, mouth dry. “I have no words.”
She flushed pink and squeezed my hand before directing her attention toward Erik, who was beaming at us.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Grayson and Quentin.”
Erik started the ceremony, but I could only pay attention to the woman opposite me. Now and then, she caught my eye, and I watched the smile tug at the corners of her mouth. I couldn’t help myself. I knew I should stand and listen to every word Erik said, but it wasn’t enough. My aura slowly crept up around her waist and pulled her towards me.
“Gray,” Quentin whispered.
“What?” I asked innocently.
Erik looked less than impressed. “Grayson.”
“Do you have a problem with this, Quen? As leader of Elysia?”
I quite enjoyed the fact that I could use that card when I liked. I’d take all the perks I could. A healthy abuse of power.
“Quentin,” Erik pleaded.
She looked up at me as I pulled her tighter and the colour spread across her cheeks.
“I don’t have a problem, Erik,” she told him.
“I… The two of you will be the death of me,” he grumbled, earning a few laughs from the congregation.
“Well,” Erik huffed. “I invite you both now to say a few words. Gray, if you’d like to start. And maybe turn so everyone?—”
No. Not happening. Instead, I let my aura wrap around us, blocking out the rest of the guests. It was only the soft glow from Quentin that stopped us from being in complete darkness.
“Gray,” she said. “What are you doing now?”
