“Asher, can I borrow you for a moment?”
My head snapped back as Asher looked at Westley, confused, but decided to follow us. “What the hell do you need Asher for?”
Westley didn’t answer me, just pulled me along beside him toward the training ground ahead of us. I looked at Hazel, who looked at me, just as confused.
“Westley, what are you planning?”
Westley didn’t talk. His hold on my hand was firm, and his steps were even without pause. Ahead of us, I spotted Wyan, the town’s chaplain, and my stomach dipped down. I looked at Westley. “What are you planning?”
“Wyan, can I borrow you for a moment? You need two people as witnesses for a wedding, right?”
I yanked on his arm, my mind seeming to catch up. “Answer my question, Westley! What are you planning?”
“You said you needed protection. This is protection.”
“Are you proposing I marry you for it?”
“Yes,” he said simply, like he wasn’t acting crazy.
Asher looked between us, shocked. “Wait, are you serious?”
“No,” I snapped, yanking my hand free. “I’m not marrying you. Are you fucking insane?”
“Would you rather I marry your sister instead?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm.
I shoved at him, my fist hitting hard into his chest. I felt my lips pull up in a sneer. “I’ll kill you in your sleep,” I seethed.
He smirked, proud of himself. “Then I think you have your answer.”
Hazel moved closer. “Maybe this isn’t a bad idea… I mean, just for now?”
I looked at Hazel like she’d just grown a second head. She couldn’t be seriously telling me to agree to this. But as I looked at her, I could see just how tired she was.
“I’m offering you safety,” Westley stated. “You need that.”
I didn’t agree because I wanted to. I didn’t entirely say yes either. So, here I was standing next to Westley in the goddamn courthouse with Wyan in the middle of us. Hazel was sitting in a chair, looking as uncomfortable as I was. Asher sat in a chair next to her, not knowing whether to laugh or cringe at us.
Wyan cleared his throat. “Repeat…”
“Nothing sappy, Wyan. Just go through it,” Westley said, cutting him off.
I frowned. “Wow, you just make this even more romantic.”
Westley frowned. “I’m sorry, do you want all the vows? Do you also want to gaze into my eyes lovingly while you’re at it?”
I ground my teeth together and looked at Wyan. “Just skip it.”
Wyan looked uncomfortable but nodded. “Do you take Gabriella as your wife?”
“I do.” He gave a nod, his eyes not leaving mine now, and for a moment, it would have been sweet if I weren’t so pissed.
“Do you take Westley to be your husband?”
I paused, staring at him. No, of course I didn’t. But it wasn’t like I had a choice about this. Because he had a point. Hazel and I were stuck here, and we needed protection—at least, until we could figure something else out.
“Yes.”
Ten minutes later, Hazel and I were riding with Westley to his house. I felt so pissed and angry. Hazel and I were so close to being free.
