Page 52 of Sacrifice

“More like a space opera,” I quip back, unable to suppress my grin, “with a bit of a twist.”

My steps falter slightly as my gaze catches on two unexpected figures seated at the very front of the chapel. Inari, with her sharp eyes and a smile that’s all cunning, watches us approach. Beside her, Isla, ever the stoic enigma, but even she can’t fully hide the twitch at the corner of her lips.

“Did someone invite them?” I hiss under my breath to Rook, hoping my voice doesn’t carry.

He sighs, a sound that vibrates through the charged air around us. “Inari has her ways. She probably caught wind of it and decided to show up.”

“Great,” I mutter, my heart hammering against my ribs, not from nerves about the ceremony, but from the unexpected complication sitting so calmly in front of me.

But as we draw closer, I notice Inari’s expression isn’t one of malice or rage. Instead, there’s an odd sort of approval in her gaze, a recognition of the step we’re taking tonight. It’s unsettling, knowing that someone like her can still surprise me.

“Looks like we’re not the only ones breaking the rules,” Oberon murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.

“Seems like it,” I reply, swallowing hard.

And then I see it—the ghost of a grin that flits across Isla’s face as she locks eyes with Rook. It’s gone in a heartbeat, replaced by her usual impassive mask, but it’s enough to tell me that there might be more layers to our guests than I anticipated.

“Surprise is the spice of life, right?” Rook says, his tone light but his grip on my arm tightening just a fraction.

“Or the catalyst for chaos,” I say, shooting him a wry look.

“Either way, it makes things interesting,” he counters with a smirk.

As we continue our procession, I force myself to focus on the moment, on the now. Whatever Inari’s and Isla’s presence means, it can wait. Right now, this is about us—about me and the pack I’ve chosen, the family I never expected to find.

We reach the altar, and Rook and Oberon take their places beside me, their presence a comforting weight. The officiant, a man with a stern face and kind eyes, begins the ceremony with a clear, strong voice. But it’s just noise, a formality that pales in comparison to the silent vows we’ve already made to each other.

“Before we proceed with the exchange of rings,” the officiant says, “it is customary for you to share your vows.”

Gunnar takes my hands, cutting off the officiant with a determined glance. “I want to say something first.” His voice is firm, but I can hear the undercurrent of nerves. It’s rare to see him anything less than confident lately, and it reminds me of the Gunnar I fell in love with…a man who feels like he’s been a million miles away.

But now, he’s here—the same man who took one step inside Dreamland and made a decision that would change everything.

He takes a deep breath, and I can tell that what he’s about to say comes from the depths of his soul. My hands tremble slightly as I await his words, knowing that whatever comes next will seal our fates together, for better or worse.

Gunnar squeezes my hands, the calluses on his palms a testament to the battles he’s fought, for us, for our future. His eyes are a mirror of emotions—hope, fear, and a love so raw it’s almost painful to see.

“Aisling,” he starts, and that slight waver in his voice is more intimate than any whispered confession in the dark. “I know we’ve been through hell and back—more than most could ever handle. Our path has been littered with trials that have tested us, pushed us to our limits.”

He pauses, swallows hard, and I can tell he’s gathering the shards of his heart to lay bare before me. “And despite all that, here you stand, with me. You’re the fire that keeps me warm during the coldest nights, the star guiding me through the darkest skies. Things haven’t been easy, and I’d be a damn fool to pretend they were. But every challenge, every tear shed, it’s led us to this moment. Aisling, I swear on everything that I am—I will protect you, I will fight for you, and I will love you until my last breath.”

Tears cloud my vision, a river breaking through the dam of my composure. I blink rapidly, trying to keep them at bay, but they betray me, spilling over in silent homage to Gunnar’s words.

“Fuck, Gunnar…” My voice comes out choked, heavy with the weight of my own emotions. “I didn’t prepare anything—not like that. But maybe that’s because there are no words grand enough to describe what’s in my heart.”

I pause, biting my lip, trying to keep my composure. I was really hoping we could just say the words—not because I don’t feel these things for Gunnar, but because I’m not sure I can even get the words out.

“All I can do is stand by your side, come what may,” I continue. :Through the chaos, through the silence, through every breath and every battle… I know our love was written in the stars. It’s the one constant in this ever-changing world. I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you, Gunnar Finch.”

The officiant clears his throat, gently reminding us that there’s an audience to our private confessions. But it doesn’t matter. In this space, in this moment, it’s just Gunnar and me and the unbreakable bond we’ve forged amidst the flames of adversity.

“The rings?” the officiant prompts, drawing me back.

Gunnar holds my hand in one of his, and takes the ring in his other hand. I glance down at it, finding a sparkling diamond flanked by smaller black diamonds glittering even in the soft light of the chapel. It’s more than jewelry; it’s a symbol of everything we’ve been through, everything we are, and everything we’re going to be.

It’s perfect.

Gunnar takes my left hand with a tenderness that belies his strength, sliding the band onto my finger. It fits perfectly—as if it’s always belonged there. The metal is cool against my skin, but his touch sets off a warmth that spreads throughout my entire body.

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