Page 29 of Wrath’s Nightingale

Wrath’s family is here. As is Nay and a few of the Kings. Oddly enough, they’re all wearing dark blue cloaks that cover their clothing. The third time, I look back at Wrath. Still too stunned to speak, he drops to one knee.

My hand reflexively covers my mouth as it hangs open in surprise.

“Millie, from the first moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one. After I got shot, yours was the first face I saw. From that moment on, it’s the face I wanted to wake up next to for the rest of my life.

“I know this may seem crazy, but I’m head over heels in love with you. I’m talking, completely gone, woman. Will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife.”

Holy fuck, is this for real?I nod and try to say yes, but there’s a lump the size of the Rockies in my throat. My heart feels likeit's four times its normal size as I look into his eyes and see the love he has for me there.

“Yes,” I finally manage.

Cheers break out all around. Wrath is up off his feet, kissing me. With tongue and everything in front of our family. I kiss him back enthusiastically. By the time he sets me back on my feet, my legs feel like jelly. He catches me when I wobble.

We’re surrounded by family and friends congratulating us when a whistle pierces the air.

“Make way for the man of honor.”

I know that voice! The crowd parts and my best friend for life, Roman Scott, walks through wearing a dark blue tux that’s so dark it’s almost black. It’s trimmed in velvet. He’s wearing the palest pink shirt. His cummerbund and bowtie match the color of the tux.

Roman floats to me, holding a velvet box in his hand.

I throw my arms around him. He picks me up and swings me around.

“Munchkin, you didn’t think you could get married without me, did you?”

“Silly, this is only the engagement. I’d never get married without you, Nathalie, and Shellie by my side.”

Roman laughs. “Oh, Munchkin, this is your wedding. Surprise.”

Everyone simultaneously takes off their cloaks revealing wedding attire. In my dream, colors. My mouth drops open. Nathalie and Shellie come from who knows where. They’re wearing the bridesmaid dresses from my dream book. We put them together our freshman year of college.

While my taste in men has changed, my taste in wedding attire has not.

My dad clears his throat. “Ring.”

Roman blushes and hands the box to Wrath. He opens the box and shows me the ring. It’s Lisa’s family heirloom. An antique emerald with a two-carat cushion cut Egyptian emerald. Surrounded by three carats of petal shaped sapphires. The platinum band is sculpted to look like the stem and leaves of a flower. The gems of the ring emulate the floor. It’s an Alexander family heirloom that dates to the Georgian era.

Tears stream down my face as he slips it on my finger. The significance is nearly overwhelming. All of this is. But how incredibly romantic. A surprise wedding. Never in a million years could I have dreamed this. Stuff like this only happens in books, right? After Wrath kisses me senseless again, Lisa is the first one to throw her arms around me.

“I’ve been waiting since the day I met you to give that to your young man. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you that you were mine. My daughter. The daughter of my heart. I talked it over with your brothers a few years ago. They agreed with me; you should have the ring.”

More tears flow down my cheeks. I draw her to me and sob, realizing she put all this together.

“Dry your tears, sweet girl. We have a beauty team ready and a pastor waiting.”

I nod and let her lead me away. Nay joins my best friends, Lisa, and I in a side room where there’s a team ready for me.

“Keep my makeup natural. I want my hair down.”

Roman grabs something off the table and hands it to me. It’s my dream book.

“It’s all right here, Munchkin. Down to the dress.”

I didn’t think I could get any more shocked. I was wrong.

“You got my dress?”

He nods. I squee.

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