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Turning back to Gabriella I see she is amused by my outburst. I lift her hand and kiss it in apology. The Mayor places a concerned hand on his turban. The vipers keep their movements subtle. When he takes it down, he continues the ceremony.
“Do you, Gabriella Maria Alessandra Perez, take this—man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.”
Carolyn shoves my ring over Gabriella’s shoulder. My bride takes it and places it on my finger. I remember that Fred still has her ring. I look over hoping he put his hand back in place.
He forgot.
Nervously, I motion with my eyes to Fred’s suit jacket. He gives me his lopsided grin again and pulls the coat back just enough to show me the hand peeking out of the pocket. The pinky finger extends itself to offer me the ring. I reach for it and try not to pull the finger off with it. Happily, the ring comes free with no problem.
I hastily place it on Gabriella’s hand.
“Excellent! Now by the power invested in me by the good citizens of Curiosity and the One-Five-Three Gorgon Regiment, I now pronounce you eternal soulmates,” the mayor announces.
The choir shrieks with joy and flies off in a million directions. Gabriella and I duck. I look over at her family, there is some surprise, but mostly a happy whimsy seems to be the decided mood.
The choir sings us out of the house as we procession down to the park for a night of drinking and dancing. “How was it?” I whisper as we lead.
“It was perfect,” Gabriella answers softly.
20
GABRIELLA
Icollapse on the bed with a harsh exhale. After all of that: the wedding, reception, dancing, travel, and finally arriving at the hotel I’m completely beat. While I prepared myself for a night full of steamy passion, now I just want to roll over and fall asleep. Even with a full face of makeup and a mountain of satin and lace.
Chet lays down next to me. He also looks exhausted. He turns to look at me and smiles with half closed eyes. “I don’t think I’ve danced like that since high school prom,” he says lazily.
I laugh. He and Fred were certainly a riot on the dance floor tonight. My parents were a little taken aback by the ‘Halloween themed playlist’, as they put it, but the rest of the guests had a blast.
“Who did you take?” I ask.
“Huh?”
“To prom, I mean. Who did you take?”
Chet laughs. “No way, are you jealous?”
I gently slap him on the chest. “No! I’m just curious. Was it Lilah?”
Chet pulls a face and shakes his head. “This girl who moved away for college. What was her name- Oh! Monica. She was a harpy.”
“Oh my God,” I say quickly. “Chet, you can’t just call women harpies!”
“No no, like a real harpy. She was an actual harpy. Real nice girl. Not as nice as you, though,” he amends quickly.
“I’m not jealous,” I reply. He takes my hand in his and kisses my finger where that gorgeous ring sits.
“I should hope not, all things considered.” Chet’s appearance takes on new life. There’s a spike of energy behind his eyes and I can tell why. His lips linger over my hand, leaving kisses up my wrist and arm.
It’s lighting a fresh wave of motivation in me as well. Chet rolls on top of me as he loosens his tie, pushing his lips against mine. I moan into his mouth, savoring the start of our matrimonial bliss.
His hands travel all over, across my collarbone, over my breast, and soon enough he’s attempting, poorly, to untie my corset.
“Mm, wait!” I say, pushing him up and scooting off the bed.
“Really?” he asks with a light laugh.
