I held back the tears burning my eyes.I hoped my parents could see this and know how happy I was.
I prayed they’d be able to see the children I hoped to have one day.And when that day came, I yearned to feel my parents beside me again.
I resisted the urge to look to each side of me as a strange warmth pressed against my sides.This feeling wasn’t the icy chill the ghosts brought; it was something better, deeper, and true.
I might be imagining it, but I was certain I wouldn’t walk to Ryker alone.They’d be with me and see that, while my life wasn’t secure thanks to the duke and the aristocrats, it was wonderful.
Mr.Fletcher and Ianto had offered to walk me down the aisle, but I declined.My father was dead, and though I loved them dearly and appreciated their support, I couldn’t have them standing in the place of the man I’d lost.
When Callan started playing a slow, beautiful melody on his lute, it was my cue to start moving.As I walked, the eyes of the amsirah followed me, but all I saw was Ryker grinning at me.
He looked younger and more boyish than I’d ever seen him, even with a neatly trimmed beard covering half his face.Breaking free from the trees, leaves floated toward the ground.
The air currents caught and swirled them around before they fell onto me and the others.Their rich aroma filled my nostrils.
Leaves crunched beneath my feet and rustled against the hem of my dress.Now, whenever I heard the crunching sound of leaves, it wouldn’t just elicit the joy of childhood memories; it would also remind me of this moment and the hope I felt for my future with Ryker.
As I strolled toward Ryker, I took in his black coat and pants.He was used to having jackets and pants embossed with silver or gold for events like this, but the simple style of his clothes emphasized how handsome he was far more than any of those more elaborate designs did.
He was impossibly striking with his hair recently cut short and his silver eyes full of love.He never looked away from me as I walked toward him, and my grin widened with every step I took.
When I stopped and turned to face him, he clasped my hands and held them between us.“You are so beautiful.”
My heart fluttered before soaring impossibly higher.When he bent to kiss me, I lost myself to the warmth of his mouth and the electrical pulse swirling between us.
I rested my hand against his cheek, relishing his prickly beard against my palm as Tucker cleared his throat.
“Eh, hmm.”When we didn’t immediately pull apart, he continued.“You’re getting a little ahead of yourselves.”
The crowd laughed, and I joined them as we broke apart.Ryker kissed the tip of my nose and reclaimed my hands to squeeze them again.
CHAPTERNINETY-ONE
Ellery
Standing behind Ryker,Ianto shifted as he pulled at the lapels of his black coat.He looked a little uncomfortable in the more refined clothing, but he wore it well, and I was glad to see him there.
Ryker and the giant liked to irritate each other, but they’d also become good friends.It didn’t surprise me when Ryker asked Ianto to stand with him at the ceremony, especially since Tucker was the one performing it.
What did surprise me was the small head that popped out from behind the giant.“Mouse!”I blurted.
I’d been so focused on Ryker while walking down the aisle that I hadn’t noticed the small boy standing behind him.Mouse grinned at me as he stepped proudly out from behind Ianto.
The boy pulled on his coat as he threw his shoulders back.For the first time in longer than I could remember, he was scrubbed clean and wearing clothes that didn’t require patching.He’d brushed his hair back from his too-thin face, and his smile brightened my day more than the sun.
“He agreed to be one of my best men and has been helping to prepare everything.”Ryker leaned closer.“We wanted to surprise you.”
I’d promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but I couldn’t stop some tears from falling.Ryker released one of my hands to wipe the tears away with his thumb.
“You look very handsome,” I whispered to Mouse; the lump in my throat prevented me from speaking louder.“And I’m so glad you’re here.”
Mouse’s chin went up.I’d always seen him as a little, lost boy, but standing here, I noticed how tall he’d gotten.He wasn’t quite as lost as he had been and was quickly becoming a man.
I had no doubt he’d run into the woods and return to his wild ways before tomorrow, but he was trusting others more and more.Maybe one day I’d hear his voice again.
Tucker cleared his throat once more to draw our attention to him.He smiled at us.“Are you ready to start?”
“I was ready months ago,” Ryker replied.
