Page 54 of A Heart Disguised 1

Meredith’s gown was a cascade of elegance, every fold a reflection of her joy in this momentous occasion. “You look absolutely radiant, dear,” she whispered.

Bernard, ever the stoic, bore his best suit with a quiet pride. He simply nodded and said, “You’ll do us proud.” The tenderness in his voice belied his usual gruff demeanor.

I swallowed against the dryness in my throat, the impulse to flee a persistent whisper in my veins. But there was no turning back now. The doors before us opened like the maw of some great beast, and Meredith and Bernard each took one of my hands, guiding me forward with a gentle, insistent pressure.

As we entered, the hall’s vastness struck me. It was filled to the brim with people, their collective gaze a palpable weight upon my shoulders. From the corners of my eyes, I caught glimpses of richly dressed nobles, stern-faced officials, and curious onlookers, all craning their necks to catch a glimpse of me.

“Don’t trip,” I whispered to myself, a silent plea that my feet wouldn’t betray me in these critical moments. My gaze remained fixed on the marble floor, each step a measured dance with destiny, even as I felt the heat of hundreds of stares upon me.

Finally, I stood before the assembly, the crushing weight of countless eyes upon me. With a deep breath, I lifted my head. There stood the Duke of Lunaria—my betrothed.

His attire was a vision of dark elegance, a stark contrast to the pastel palette of my own ensemble. The black of his garb was rich and deep, like the void between stars, while threads of gold woven into the fabric caught the light with every breath he took.His horns, those regal emblems of his demonic heritage, were polished to a high shine, and his fangs glinted subtly whenever his lips curved into that infuriatingly handsome smile—a smile he now directed at me.

The duke reached out, his hand engulfing my own. His touch was a brand, searing through the tremors that racked my frame. That smile of his, tinged with amusement, seemed to say, “You and I, my dear, are about to embark on quite the adventure.”

“Nervous, little bird?” he murmured, his voice a low rumble.

I managed to quirk an eyebrow at him, channeling bravado I didn’t quite feel. “Me? Never. I always tremble like a leaf in autumn.”

His chuckle was soft, meant only for my ears. “Then allow me to be your sturdy oak, Robin.”

We turned toward the priest, an imposing figure who looked as if he’d stepped out of an ancient tapestry. His robes were more elaborate than any royal garment I’d ever laid eyes on, a veritable rainbow of holy significance. With a beard that cascaded like a silver waterfall over his chest and eyes that seemed to peer into one’s very soul, he commanded attention without uttering a word.

As the ceremony began, the High Priest’s voice filled the hall, a monotonous drone that could lull even the most restless spirit to sleep. “We gather here today,” he intoned, “under the watchful eyes of the celestial deities, the moon goddess Luna, and the shadow god Nyx…”

I found my attention wandering, my gaze drawn to the duke beside me. His hand enveloped mine, warm and steady. I couldn’t help but steal glances at him, each one a silent prayer that he wouldn’t catch me staring.

“…and may the eternal flames of Aether bless this union…” the priest droned on.

I snuck another peek at the duke, only to find his eyes twinkling with amusement. Caught red-handed, I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks burn.

“Is my face more interesting than our impending eternal bond, little bird?” he whispered, his voice laced with humor.

“I was just… checking for horns,” I mumbled, earning a soft chuckle from him.

The priest’s voice suddenly sharpened. “Lord Darius Shadowbane, Duke of Lunaria and Demon Lord of Shadowmere, do you take Lady Robin Aldercrest to be your lawfully wedded spouse? To cherish and protect, in sickness and in health, through demonic invasions and celestial alignments, as long as you both shall live?”

The duke turned to me, his eyes intense enough to melt steel. “I do,” he said, his voice firm and clear.

My heart did a somersault as the priest turned to me. “And do you, Lady Robin Aldercrest, take Lord Darius Shadowbane, Duke of Lunaria and Demon Lord of Shadowmere, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To honor and support, in prosperity and adversity, through magical catastrophes and political intrigues, as long as you both shall live?”

In that moment, my voice decided to take an impromptu vacation. “I do not,” I squeaked, then immediately clapped a hand over my mouth in horror.

The duke’s eyebrows shot up, a smirk playing at his lips. The priest leaned in, cupping his ear. “I’m sorry, my child, could you repeat that?”

“I meant… I do!” I blurted out, my face burning hotter than a dragon’s sneeze. “I definitely do. Nonotabout it. Just a bit of pre-wedding jitters, you know? Happens to the best of us, right? Even to those marrying incredibly handsome demon lords. Not that I’m marrying you for your looks, Your Grace. I mean, they’re a bonus, obviously, but I’m sure you have agreat personality too. Oh gods, someone please stop me from talking…”

Duke Darius’ shoulders shook with silent laughter, while the priest looked utterly bewildered.

“Right,” the priest said slowly. “Well, by the power vested in me by the celestial deities and the demonic council, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride… if she’s quite finished explaining herself.”

As Darius leaned in for our first kiss as a married couple, I felt my heart racing, threatening to burst from my chest. I held my breath, nervousness coursing through me like lightning. His face drew closer, and I could see the golden flecks in his eyes, the slight curve of his lips.

When his lips finally met mine, it was soft and gentle, a stark contrast to the passionate kisses we had shared before. It was brief, too brief, leaving me yearning for more, strangely enough. As he pulled away, I found myself leaning forward slightly, chasing the lingering warmth of his lips.

The duke’s eyes met mine, a mixture of amusement and something deeper, more intense, swirling in their depths. “Breathe, little bird,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. “We have a lifetime for more.”

I exhaled shakily, realizing I had indeed forgotten to breathe. As we turned to face the audience, a tidal wave of applause crashed over us, leaving me both exhilarated and slightly dizzy.

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