To keep her safe from the monster seated in the front row, spearing him with a steel stare and a disgruntled frown.
Brachos hadn’t seen fit to offer any sunshine for today’s occasion. Misty rain coated Cael’s jacket, face and hair.
He didn’t bother looking toward the guests. Couldn’t bear to see the joy on their faces. Not on the day he was giving up his dreams.
Giving upher.
He choked back his nausea and just before he reached the altar, his father stood and embraced him.
“Smart choice,” Arran whispered into his ear. Anyone watching would have only seen a proud father bestowing some final advice upon his son. “For a second, I was worried you wouldn’t show.”
“I honor my vows,” Cael whispered back. “I trust you will, too.”
“Play your part today, boy, and your little human will be safe.”
Cael glanced over Arran’s shoulder toward his three brothers. Viktor yawned, his wife Helena shooting him a sharp look. Tomas pouted next to his fiancée Constance, who angled as far away from him as possible, her thigh brushing Erik’s…who winked when Cael caught his eye.
Relief slowed Cael’s anxious heart.
Xenia was safe.
He pulled away from Arran, a weight lifting from his shoulders. As long as Xenia was out of his father’s clutches, Cael coulddothis.
He stepped onto the altar, nodding to the priestess of Faurana, High Goddess of Land and Life, who’d be officiating the ceremony. The serene, dark-skinned Beastrunner bowed to him, shifting her sage-green robes.
The string quartet struck up a processional, and Elodie took to the aisle, resplendent in an ivory crepe-silk gown with lace sleeves. A bouquet of white peonies dotted with red tea roses bloomed between her clenched fists.
Cael swallowed his anger and disgust, schooling his features into some semblance of contentment.
And offered a shaky smile to his approaching bride.
Xenia waiteda few moments after Erik had left, then streaked out of the library and back up into the main lodge. The foyer was empty, every single family member and guest, plus the household staff, gathered out back for the ceremony.
The flute bounced against her chest as she tore through the quiet, stodgy hallways, searching for a specific room.
“Come on,come on,” she muttered, the plaid carpet swishing under her swift footsteps. She was still in the white cotton dressshe’d borrowed from Leonard’s cottage, the cuff tucked within her pocket. Her curls were a wild, bouncing spray around her head.
Because fuck themall.
She would not be invisible today.
The lingering scent of smoky licorice wafted up her nose as she turned a corner.
“Yes,” she hissed out as she came upon the heavy oak doors of Arran’s office. She reached for the handle, panic flaring. What if the doors were locked? She hadn’t considered that.
She pressed on the brass tab, then pumped her other fist in the air when a click sounded and the door swung open.
The scent of lethaphyll was even stronger inside the office. Xenia crept along the forest-green damask wallpaper toward the desk, her gaze traveling out the two-story window overlooking the backyard.
The office was dark and the sky was overcast; no one would be able to see her through the window, but she had a clear view of the venue.
Nausea dizzied her as Elodie exited the main house, then turned onto the path that led to the seated guests and the altar.
Xenia had never been to a Fae wedding, but she’d read enough to know that Cael and Elodie’s vows would come at the end of the ceremony. First, both sets of parents would say a few words, then there would be a blessing from the priestess.
Elodie began her procession, and Xenia’s eyes bolted for Cael.
HighGods, he looked impossibly handsome. So elegant in his Brachian uniform, the talon at the peak of his sole wing polished to gleaming. She was too far away to make out his face, but his posture was stiff as Elodie approached.
