Page 133 of Godless Saints

Vivienne approached with Sawyer in tow, both looking mildly confused by the sudden crowd pressing in around us. Aleksei came from the direction of Thorn Court, brow already furrowed.

Sawyer stopped. “You guys are celebrities now? Why the fuck is everyone filming you?”

Vivienne reached up without hesitation and smoothed the front of my hair, which had been thoroughly tousled. “What did you two do this time?”

I breathed through the exhaustion. “You know, if you had simply continued to pretend to be my girlfriend from day one, none of this would have happened.”

Vivienne’s hand paused mid-motion. “Hyun?”

I lifted my left hand. The slim gold ring caught the light.

Her eyes widened. A rare, genuine squeal escaped her as she threw her arms around me, hugging me tight. “Congratulations.” She squeezed my shoulders. “Now let’s survive the press cycle.”

Aleksei arrived beside her. “I see the proposal went… publicly.”

Sawyer’s grin turned feral. “Holy shit. You two just turned the Patronage ceremony into a reality show. I’m so proud.”

Vivienne finally pulled back, still holding my shoulders. “I’m happy for you, Hyun. I’ll meet you two inside.” She took Aleksei’s hand and walked inside the cathedral with Sawyer.

Cillian and I stayed outside for one more moment.

Cillian reached for my collar.

I slapped his hand away.

“You let both those girls fix your collar and your hair, and I can’t? Do I have to remind you… I’m your fiancé?”

“I can’t control those girls. That’s not my fault.”

“But you can control me, prince?” he said.

“If I could, we would not have been here.”

I caught his ruined tie and straightened the knot, fingers lingering longer than necessary.

“So how important is this ceremony, really? We could disappear.”

“I’m representing Aster Court. They sort of expect me here, stupid.”

“Hmm.” He smiled. “Can I sit with you in Aster Court?”

I pulled the knot tighter than necessary. He made a low, strangled sound.

“I… Yeah, I’d like that.”

I took his hand again.

“But only if you behave.”

“Can’t,” he murmured. “I’m engaged to you.”

I started up the cathedral steps, dragging him with me.

“Try not to embarrass me during the ceremony.”

“Too late, Moonshine. Embarrassment is our brand now.”

CHAPTER 33