But there was something in her tone that tugged at my heartstrings, something that made me want to hold her closer than I ever had before and sayhell yeah.
But marrying Ava was nothing more than a fantasy. This wasn’t a fairytale; it was a nightmare.
I was well aware that people were watching us, but it felt like Ava and I were alone. My heart began to race as I considered the real possibility of what she was saying. Of course I wanted to marry Ava someday. But that was never going to happen.
Something was wrong—verywrong.
“Pidge, did you take your meds this morning?” I asked gently.
“This isn’t an episode, Charlie,” she said. “I’m getting down on one knee and asking you to marry me. It’s the only way to save you.”
I reeled back a bit, though I didn’t let her go. “Save me? There’s a way—”
“Marcus and I found a loophole,” Ava explained. “If we get married, the Warden can’t separate us, by the United Supernatural Union’s own law. If the Warden tries anything to hurt you, it’ll be considered an act of war, since you’ll be the son-in-law of the Water chief. A supernatural force can’t attack a family member of a Hawkei chieftain without it being a declaration of war.That’swhy the Warden hasn’t touched me yet. Please, Charlie. Wehaveto do this. It’s the only way to save your life.”
I gaped, because I couldn’t find the words. This wasn’t how I pictured our wedding would go. I always imagined I would take Ava to a nice place— a garden or something— and proposeproperly. Hell,Iwas supposed to be the one down on my knees, begging forherhand in marriage. But that dream was long gone, ever since we broke up.
Ava’s voice wavered. “Charlie, answer me. There’s not much time left.”
This is a bad idea, isn’t it?I said to Oberi. Surely, he would back me up.
Actually, I’m with Ava on this one. It’s the only way,he insisted.
Well, fuck.
It wasn’t that I wanted to say no to Ava. I just didn’t want to marry her now, under these circumstances.
But I didn’t really have a choice.
Ava squeezed my hands, as if begging for me to answer. Everyone else had gone dead silent.
“I… yes?” It came out sounding more like a question, but Ava didn’t seem to notice. She leapt to her feet and threw her arms around me.
“Thank the ancestors,” she breathed, as if she’d been worried I’d say no. “We have to find Professor Hemlock right away. She can do the ceremony.”
My stomach twisted, but my heart fluttered at the same time. My emotions warred inside of me, so much that it made my head spin. I woke up this morning expecting to end the day in the Infernal Underground. Instead, I was going to end it as a married man.
Ancestors, I couldn’t believe it. This was fucking nuts.
Kallie squealed. “Oh, my gods! I can’t believe you two are engaged!”
“The shortest engagement ever,” Marcus added. “We need to get moving.”
“You two go find Hemlock,” Kallie said. “Marcus and I will meet you in the chapel in fifteen minutes.”
Kallie and Marcus hurried out of the room. Chancey cleared his throat. “Um… anyone want to fill me in?”
“The Warden forced a second blood test,” I told him. “He knows I’m part Elf.”
“Getting married is the only way to keep Charlie from getting taken away,” Ava said.
“And Hemlock can marry you two?” Chancey asked.
“She has the authority,” Ava told him.
“Well, then what are we waiting for?” Chancey burst. “Go get her! We’ll head to the chapel.”
Ava grabbed my hand, and we rushed out of The Devil’s Playground. I barely paid attention to where we were going, because my head spun. I should’ve been terrified about what was about to happen, but I’d be damned if I wasn’t the happiest I’d been in my whole life.Iwas marrying Ava-Marie Mitoh. It didn’t matter the circumstances. I was grinning like a fool.
