“Ow!” I cried, rubbing my butt.
Let’s get a move on,she snapped.
I heard the scuffle of shoes beside me and was nearly knocked over as someone slammed against my leg. “Come on, Eddie!” Alistair said.
“Where are we going?” Eddie asked.
“We need music!” Alistair’s footsteps faded as he and Eddie climbed the stairs to the balcony, where the organ was.
Oberi pushed me again, so hard this time that I stumbled down the aisle. Hell, how was this evenhappening? It felt like a dream.
Or a nightmare.
Hemlock followed me to the altar. She grabbed my shoulders to show me where to stand. “Are you ready, Charlie?”
Hell no!
“I’m terrified, but… I love her,” I admitted.
I felt something through our bond. Oberi had heard me say it, and she was happier than ever. Honestly, I couldn’t believe I’d just admitted it out loud— to a professor, no less.
“I know you do,” Hemlock replied, as if she knew it all along.
“But I don’t think she feels the same way about me,” I said. I hated how defeated my tone sounded. “I don’t even know why we’re doing this.”
I didn’t want Ava to marry me out of pity. The thought of her making such a great sacrifice for my benefit made me feel ill. I’d almost rather be dragged to the Underground.
“There’s more to Ava than you realize,” Hemlock said. “She wouldn’t do this for anyone, Charlie. Shechose you.”
I understood what Hemlock was saying immediately. Ava was giving me her freedom willingly, and that was the most precious thing to her. I wouldn’t squander that gift.
“EVERYBODY READY!?” Alistair called down from the balcony.
“Ready!” Marcus shouted up to him as everyone shuffled into the pews.
Within moments, the chapel quieted. The horrible sound of clashing notes filled the room, blaring from the organ above me. Alistair obviously didn’t know how to play the piano, but he was bound and determined to playCanon in D. He missed a bunch of notes, and the chords didn’t work with the melody at all, but it loosely resembled the song.
My knees began to tremble as Ava stepped down the aisle. I could hear her footsteps coming toward me, but more than that, Ifelther through our bond. The closer she came, the stronger the magic got. The bond seemed to strengthen with every step she took, and the magic flared through my body so hard and fast that I nearly fell over. Here we were, in a chapel and in our school uniforms, having a shotgun wedding to rival no other. I wasn’t sure if I could go through with this.
Ancestors, I can’t believe this is happening. Fuck!Ava telecommunicated through the bond. I didn’t think she had intended for me to hear her thoughts.
It is,I said back. I felt her shock when she realized I’d heard her.
You weren’t supposed to hear that,she said sheepishly.
Hell, she could say she didn’t want to be with me all she wanted, but beneath the fear and anxiety, I felt her excitement. Something about this was intriguing to her, at least.
You’re my fiancé,I said.You don’t have to hide anything from me.
Ivy had to be walking down the aisle in front of Ava. I could feel the flower petals fluttering to the ground with my Air magic. Kallie must’ve gotten some from the Arts & Crafts room. When he reached the altar, Ivy threw the remainder of his flower petals in the air, and they rained down in front of me.
“Congratulations, ho.” He laughed.
I scowled, but I turned my attention to Ava. The sound of her footsteps approaching sent a thrill through me, yet I was more terrified than I’d ever been. She reached me, and her raspberry scent surrounded my presence.
I reached for her hands, and she entwined her fingers with mine. When we touched, magic unlike anything I’d ever felt before ignited between us. Warmth swept over my body, and our bond became more powerful than ever. I could suddenly feel her heartbeat as if it were in my own chest. It synced with mine, pounding at a quick pace like a magical tune composed only for us. I swore her scent became even stronger, intoxicating me. Her voice in my head became louder than ever.
Did you feel that?she asked in my mind.
