Page 177 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“What?”

He shook his head. “My apologies. I have seen this outcome in so many variations, but this one is my favorite. You look . . .” He paused, meeting my gaze, and I could have sworn the fate had tears in his eyes. “Like you have found your home.”

A soft smile spread as I stepped to the side, allowing him to enter. “Well, you don’t look too bad yourself.”

He nodded before stepping fully into the room.

“I fixed her veil,” Miska chimed in as the door closed.

Reggie gave her a grin in return. “It’s quite lovely.”

“So is your suit,” I said. “He had time to get that too, I see.”

Reggie nodded. “Yes, and a few other items. It is quite impressive given such a short time.”

I picked up my dress and walked back to the bed. “I need a drink,” I said, carefully sitting down.

They both looked at me.

“Not the blood kind. I need alcohol.” I let out a shaky breath, my leg bouncing nervously.

“That’s to be expected,” Reggie said.

“Is this really happening?” I asked.

Reggie grinned widely. “Yes, yes, it is.”

I stood again, wringing my hands as I paced. “You’d tell me, right? I don’t think Dream Reggie would lie. What if he changes his mind?”

Reggie clasped his hands behind his back. “I can tell you with a hundred percent accuracy that there is no vision I have ever seen where he changes his mind about you.”

I stopped, my hands dropping to my sides. “Okay, but don’t realities change all the time? What if he is downstairs as we speak, plotting his escape? Gabby had seen this movie one time—”

Reggie reached into his pocket. “He is busy with the officiant and Orym, organizing the final details as we speak, so I stated I would bring this for you. It is the words you must speak when signaled.”

“Oh. Words . . . words are good.” My hands were suddenly shaking, but I gripped the paper and unfolded it, reading through the words. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I’ll leave you for a few more minutes, then we shall begin,” he said, striding toward the door.

“Wait!” I called out far too loudly. Reggie turned, waiting patiently as if whatever I had to say was the most important thing he had to hear. “Umm . . .”

I handed Miska the paper, and she looked at me as if I had grown horns while Reggie watched me expectantly. My tongue darted out of my mouth, running over my lower lip. I tugged at a loose strand of my hair, but Miska reached out and swatted my hand away. I pouted at her but took a step toward Reggie, determined to do this.

“On Onuna, a bride would usually have someone give her away. Typically, it was her father, but Gabby and I always agreed that when she got married, I would walk her, you know? And I don’t have anyone.” The words were so hard to say. “You have been closer than a friend to me for a while now. You’re the closest thing I have to a father figure in that I-kidnapped-you-from-another-realm type way. You have been here guiding me, even on my worst days. So, Roccurem, would you walk me down the aisle?”

I met his gaze, a look I had never seen crossing his features. He smiled, joy lighting his eyes. “I did not see that coming.”

My finger lifted, and I pointed at him. “Ah-ha! See, even fate doesn’t know everything.”

Reggie gave me a deadpan expression. “That does not change the outcome. Samkiel is not leaving you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said, dropping my hand. “So what do you say? My adopted father died with my adopted mom when Rashearim fell, and my real father sent me away, then was mind tortured and tried to kill me. So, do you want to be my stand-in daddy?”

“Never repeat those words.” He rubbed his brow before dipping his head slightly. “But, yes. It would be my honor to escort you, Dianna.”

I smiled so big my cheeks ached. Reggie left the room, and I turned to Miska. I took a shuddering breath and extended my hand. “Okay, hand it over.”

She laughed brightly, the sound like tinkling bells, and handed me the small piece of paper.

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