I swallow the lump in my throat when it’s my turn. Before doubts can take root, Grace lifts my hands to her lips… kissing the tattoo-covered knuckles that hide my deepest scars.
I make a vow to have the same faith in myself that she has inme someday.
Taking a shuddering breath, I speak from the heart. “Grace Blackburn.My mate.” The ache in my heart simmers down at her encouraging smile. “I’m used to putting on a brave face in front of the world. Never showing any weakness, always keeping people at arm’s length so they wouldn’t see how broken I really am.”
Grace shakes her head, and I can practically hear her telling me not to let my mind bully me.
“But with you, I’ve found a home. A place where I can let the mask slip. A place to untangle my messy thoughts without judgment. A place where I don’t have to worry about someone stabbing me in the back becauseI knowyou’ll always look out for me. Save me… even from myself.”
Looking into her eyes, I make the vow. “I promise to be the one who helps you grow, who lifts you when you feel beaten down. I promise to love you with every broken piece of my being.”
“Ah fuck.”
I whip my head toward Hazel’s voice. She quickly turns around to hide her face, muttering about ‘our sappy vows messing with her head.’ The guests chuckle, then awing in sync when August runs to her with a handkerchief in hand.
This kid has single-handedly given everyone baby fever.
Horseman Nakaya clears his throat, drawing our attention back to the ceremony. “Grace Blackburn, will you have this man to be your husband, to live with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love, comfort, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful for as long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
“Harvey Adler, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love, comfort, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful as long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
Akihiko scans the crowd. “If anyone here has an objection to this union, meet me after the ceremony, and I willpersonallytake care of you.”
Laughter ripples through the garden, rising above the sound of the waterfall. I’m grateful for these bursts of humor; without them, I probably would’ve sobbed through the whole thing.
“Bring out the rings!”
August comes running with a bright smile and two ring boxes clutched in his hands. Grace leans to kiss his chubby cheeks, and August rises on his tiptoes so she doesn’t have to bend too low.
With his final task complete, August grins and runs to his dad, who picks him up and proudly kisses his head for a job well done.
Horsemen Famine guides Grace through the vows as she slides the ring on my finger. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. With all that I am and all that I have, I honor and accept you in the name of the All-knowing Fates and our Divine spirit.”
I repeat the vow as I slip a ring on her finger, then lift her hand to my lips for a kiss.
“By the power vested in me by Fates, I now pronounce them husband and wife. You may kiss the bride… and he has already started.”
The crowd erupts in cheers when I don’t waste any time pulling my bride into a kiss. With my hands on her soft cheeks, I kiss her until we are breathless, and Seiji is begging us to stop acting like horndogs in front of the entire supernatural world.
I mirror my mate’s bright smile as I walk with her to the ballroom for our reception and my coronation.
Unlike the fairytale garden outside, the ballroom drips with a bold, darker theme. Red and black in every corner. Seiji clearly didn’t hold himself back. The space sparkles with flowers, lights, and even fire.
I’m briefly worried if Grace will like it, but then I watch herjaw drop open. I have to remind myself that we have another ceremony to get through before I can run my fingers through the tight curls down her back and remove every shiny clip one by one before I—Okay.The bedroom thoughts will have to wait.
Soon enough, the ballroom is buzzing with our supernatural allies. Everyone offers their blessings to my wife and me, then gets drunk on the special brew crafted by our earth fairies.
I’m a little bummed the King of Hell couldn’t make it because of a ‘Heaven emergency,’ but the shiny, enchanted sword he sent with a letter promising a visit soon almost makes up for it.
Once everyone has a drink in hand as they sway to a soft melody, Anxo steps forward to deliver the second big announcement.
“I know you’re all anxiously waiting for the next big event—I can hear the whispers, you know,” Anxo calls out, earning a wave of chuckles. “So, let’s get to it. Harvey, join me on the stage, brother.”
I turn to my mate, and from her smirk I know she can see I’m thinking about bolting. Before I can dodge, Grace grabs my face and kisses me hard, whispering a few things in my ear that I willnotbe sharing with anyone.
