Page 85 of Unmasking My Dark Knight

Gustav turned around to yell at his men. He was all the way in the corner of the room, checking himself out in the mirror. “Hey, leave my sister alone, you animals.”

I walked all the way across, with my bridal robe on, fuzzy slippers, my freshly styled waves bouncing in the air.

“Here, it’s from Tallulah,” I told my brother. “Where’s Romeo?”

“He’s around here somewhere,” Gustav said, opening his envelope quietly. The rest of the groomsmen were chattering about, all dressed up and ready to go. Of course, they were ready; they only needed a suit. They didn’t have to worry about pantyhose, shaving their legs, arms, pits, or makeup and hair styling. Being a woman could be so exhausting.

Gustav whistled lowly so as not to draw attention to himself. “Look. I have something for Tal, too. Can you give it to her?”

“Isn’t that what your best man is for?” I asked.

“Yes, but my best man isn’t here right this second. Is he? Don’t be a brat, and send it over.”

“Fine!” I let out an exaggerated huff and took his black envelope, which came with a black bear dressed as Maleficent. “Okay, this is adorable. I’ll give you that.”

“She’s my moon goddess, my little terror, my queen,” he said in a daze.

Twiddling my thumbs, I waited for Gustav to snap out of it, ready to leave. Wherever Ro was, I knew he was avoiding me now, and I couldn’t blame him for it. Between Antonio's arrival and Ro admitting that he’d lost his job and was living with his sister, there was still so much we didn’t get to discuss… so much about where that left us and the relationship we formed.

“Hey, look at me, Ivy Jade,” Gustav stole my attention back.

“What?” I asked impatiently, worried, concerned.

“Tallulah told me what’s been going on with you,” he said.

“Ugh! I shouldn’t have said anything to her.”

“No, we shouldn’t trust you with our valuables,” my brother laughed. His comment lightened the mood.

“Is that it? I’ll be better about not losing your stuff. Promise,” I said, still distracted.

“One more thing. Before you leave, I have to say this.” Gustav placed his heavy hand on my shoulder, turning into Mr. Serious.

“What?” I asked impatiently.

He chuckled, smiling warmly. “Find love with someone you want to be with, not someone Mami or Papi arrange for you. That’s bullshit and control, and you don’t deserve that. This world is much too grand for you to be tied to them for life.”

“But that’s the only life I know of…” I said, feeling self-conscious. This was supposed to be Gustav’s special day, and here he was, dressed in his suit, trying to help me through a problem he shouldn’t have even known about. But he did. And he cared. “I can’t just walk away… I have nothing going for me.”

“Is that what Princess Isla would do?” he lowered his voice and winked.

I stared at him like a ghost. “Princess Isla? You know about⁠—”

“‘Unmasking My Bright Knight?’ Of course… you think you’re fooling anyone with that dust jacket?” He looked around at the groomsmen, all of them preoccupied with figuring out their boutonnières. “I’m on book three. Can’t get enough of it.”

I don’t know if I was humiliated or totally impressed. Maybe Gustav and I actually had something in common.

“Listen, I understand the situation you’re in. I was there once, right where you are now. But I found a way, and don’t let anyone else tell you it’s not possible… not even yourself.”

Without thinking, I pulled Gustav in for a hug.

I squeezed him tight as he kissed my head, hugging me back.

The veil of sibling angst lifted, even if it was for just a moment. I didn’t want to let him go because now he wasn’t just some emo freak I grew up with.

He was my brother.

And he loved me like one.