Page 109 of Mayflower

“Looks like you got the hottest, richest, most important guy. In the Southern one.”

She laughed. "Yeah, I'm lucky."

“So am I,” I murmured, my eyes on Maddy. “So am I.”

Maddy, well, she is a lover, yes. And she is a fighter, the quiet one, who fights without a weapon. Most of all, she is a kidnapper. She is, my Maddy. She kidnapped my mind first. Then my heart. And suddenly, I look around and don't recognize the world I live in. It used to be a desert. Now it's vibrant. I used to despise it. Now, I want to find a way to make it better. I used to slash and cut and burn anything that stood in my way. Now I want to heal those around me. People fascinate me. Because most of them wear masks, and when you rip those off, most have a chance for redemption. I want to show them they do. There are stories beneath all those scars, pain behind the smiling eyes, but also so much hidden goodness even in those who brandish weapons in front of you. I should know. I did that once.

Wishful kindness, you see? Maddy taught me that.

When someone tells you that you are worthless, don't listen. They are wrong. There is one person out there, just one, who will tell you that you are worth everything to them. And that one person is all that matters.

A kingdom requires an army. Love? Just two people who would trade a kingdom for each other.

Who said that? I did. See? There's hope for all of us.

KAI

I know Crone is extremely nervous. When we were getting ready for the wedding ceremony, there were already signs back in our suite. He fixed his hair and bowtie, took shots of cognac, and checked with the staff so many times that I wouldn’t be surprised if they blocked his number and quit.

Usually it’s women who obsess over wedding preparations. You know who overlooked every detail for this one? You guessed it, Archer Crone. Katura could’ve gotten hitched on a cliff with no one around them if it were up to her. But Crone wanted to make it simple but neat. Simple, my ass, with three hundred people. The motherfucker became a walking joke on Ayana when he asked during one of our all-guys get togethers if anyone knew what the difference was between the White Cloud and White O’Hara roses. Thank God for Margot, Cece, and a number of other people who took over.

Crone is even more jittery now as we stand by the gazebo on the beach, waiting for our brides.

A string orchestra, dressed in white and barefoot, is playing.

Crone won’t shut up. Talking is his stress relief.

“Young men have over thirty DNA mutations a year,” Crone tells me, his topics of conversation in the last hour blending from one to another. Talking calms him. “With radiation, the rate increases dramatically. So the older we get, the more DNA mutations there are in our bodies. Even with the proper medication. Mutation is a natural process. But did you know that women don’t change much? how about that? Barely any mutations. It’s us, guys, who are fucked up. Men have to get an early start on the baby action.”

“Is that an appropriate topic for today?”

“It’s true.”

I haven’t seen Crone so nervous in a while. We both stand in our white suits, hands clasped at our fronts. I can’t wait to see Callie walking down the aisle. I think Crone is paranoid that Kat will change her mind. He’s insane. He needs a distraction.

“For you, Crone, everything is an excuse for fucking,” I say. “I think you might be a sex addict.”

He snorts. “Have you met my wife-to-be?” And he won’t shut up. “My bride is badass. She might have a pistol tucked under her garter.”

I chuckle. “Mine is the prettiest. Blonde, slender, blue eyes, best mouth ever.”

“I reckon you said at Deene that nothing is as effective as your right hand.”

I blurt out a laugh. “Suck a dick, Crone.”

“Oh, I would never take that away from Callie. I’m not into tiny things. Plus, I am more into pussy.”

I grin and drive my elbow into his ribs.

Crone nods at Alex Ortiz. “At least I got lucky with my father-in-law. He is a good guy.”

“Well, I don’t have one. And it’s okay.”

His head snaps in my direction. “Shit, sorry, man.”

“I know. Strange times, huh?”

I wish my dad could be here, and Lilly. I wish I could have met the people who brought up my beautiful girl. But it’s all right. We have a big family here on Zion. I consider us blessed. Many have parents and siblings but still feel lonely. Many go through tragedies without any friends at all.

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