Violins croon a haunting, beautiful piece that sounds just like Leigh. As everyone stands, the rustle of fabric momentarily overtakes the melody.
The doors open.
I freeze, utterly transfixed by Leigh as she steps into the golden light wearing a dreamy expression. Her beauty in her white gown nearly brings me to my knees. Her shoulders are bare, her long hair tumbles in soft ribbons down her back beneath a trailing veil. Layers of silk, jeweled and beaded, flow elegantly from her waist. Diamonds glimmer against her glowing skin.
But all I see are her eyes, fixed on mine.
My throat is so dry I can barely swallow. The officiant hides a small smile as I shed a tear.
Leigh walks steadily down the aisle. When she reaches the front, she hands her bouquet to Gianna. I offer my hand. She takes it.
She looks up at me and smiles. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I manage, my heart pounding madly.
Neon-blue tears flowfrom my eyes. The stained-glass windows of the abbey project colorful patterns across Leigh’s white dress and light up Wilder’s face as he gazes at her with pure adoration, like she’s the moon and he’s the sun, shining only for her.
Vane silently offers me his handkerchief. The silk is incredibly soft, likely centuries old, and smells like Little Death—chocolate, cherries, and Vane himself. I breathe in deeper.
Vane rests a hand on my thigh, then whispers, “Enjoying yourself over there?”
I laugh through my tears, earning a wide-eyed look from Jaxson, seated next to his boyfriend, Anselm—a tall, strawberry-blond, Green Witch with a tidy beard. We met before the ceremony in an awkward but sweet shuffle of introductions. He seems like the nicest guy. He works in town at Psyche Psychiatric and apparently is the one who introduced Leigh to medical-grade suppressants when she was a patient under his care.
In some way, Anselm was always destined to play a role in all our lives. Jaxson’s warmth, the way he draws people to him like moths to a flame, is who he is at his core, and I’m so glad he found someone who stands in the light with him. We’ll always love each other, but I belong in the darkness. I belong with Vane. He is my heart’s match, and I will stand by him until the endof the world. Even then, we will be scattered dust blown by the same wind.
At the altar, Wilder and Leigh kneel before flickering candles and scattered crystals, heads bowed. The royal officiant places a golden chalice on the altar between Leigh and Wilder. My mom’s lips move as she mutters blessings under her breath.
Leigh takes the chalice first. She sips, then hands it to Wilder. I look at my brother and my new sister-in-law and am so disgustingly, sincerely happy for them my heart could burst. One day, this moment will become a cherished memory that’ll come with a pang of sadness, which is already beginning to develop in my chest. I place my hand on top of Vane’s and give it a firm squeeze.
“Now, stand,” the robed officiant orders.
Wilder rises and offers his hand to help Leigh rise. Beaded silk shifts and rustles as she stands. They turn to face one another, holding hands and smiling, ready for their vows.
“I love this part,” Anselm whispers.
I smile, because so do I.
Honestly, weddings are my favorite. Black may be my signature color, but I’ve always dreamed of wearing a white dress and exchanging vows with the one I love.
I sigh, lost for a moment.
“Everything okay?” Vane asks quietly.
I nod, but it’s a lie. Vane and I are already married. Besides, vampires don’t get married in Parthenons, abbeys, or grand ceremonies like this. It feels silly even to want it. Or does it?
“I want to have a wedding ceremony like this one,” I finally admit under my breath. “With flowers everywhere. With you.”
A slight flush creeps up his neck, but then a slow, delighted smile spreads across his sensual lips. “As you wish.”
I gasp. “Seriously?”
His expression is neutral, but his eyes are dancing. “Seriously.”
I tune back into the ceremony, warmth spreading in my chest.
Wilder takes my trembling hands,his voice calm and confident as he begins his vows, and I can’t stop my heart from pounding. I can’t stop looking at him. He’s beautiful, and not in the classic way; he’s no Prince Charming, but he’s the handsome hero in my story, and in just a few moments, he’ll be mine. Mine to hold, mine to kiss, mine until the end of time. I just hope I can get through my vows without becoming a weeping disaster.
“Leigh, you are my twin flame. You know me better than I know myself, and you have never tried to change me despite our very different backgrounds. Your love helped me see that my flaws are really my strengths. No one will ever compare to you, and nothing will ever come between us. I wouldn’t allow it. You are the love of my life. I will cherish you until our dying day.”
