Page 97 of Solstice

“Ivette Washington, do you take Alexei Fairfax to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, for the rest of your lives?”

Echoes of the first time we’d gotten married went through my mind, drunk on fairy wine in the enchanted woods, lying in those ruins after having fucked in the creek.

“I would marry all of you,” Carter had said.

“I would, too,” Lex agreed.

“Really, Lucifer? Even me?” I’d been teasing. I hadn’t actually expected him to say yes.

“Especially you, X.”

We’d been betrothed for real at the time, barely twenty-two and wide-eyed in the world. As the memories played out in my head, they echoed in Lex’s, too.

“I do,” I said.“Until the end.”

“And do you, Alexei Fairfax—” The minister repeated the same words to him, but Lex’s eyes never left mine.

“I do,” Lex said. “Until the end.”

I smiled as he stepped closer and kissed me.

The flood of emotion that came through that small contact nearly toppled me. This wasn’t the real ceremony, but I couldn’t stop my heart from exploding with overwhelming raw adoration for him.

My story with Lex had been fucked up from the start—in puppy love with his brother, sworn to hate him for my entire life, betrothed to him before I graduated from college. Through that, I’d gained a confidant, an ally, someone who understood me better than anyone.

I would not have made it this far without him. I would not have made it the last few weeks without him. When I was lost, he found me. When I couldn’t stand on my own, Lex held me up.

“I love you, X.”

“I love you, Lucifer.”

And this time, I meant it. This time, it was real. Really and incomprehensibly real.

The revelation rocketed through me, making me shiver, and I could no longer deny the effect he had on me. True, Lex Fairfax and I were complicated. But I perhaps loved that the most.

“Ugh, get a fucking room already,” Kit sneered from behind me, which made Abigail snicker.

* * *

We finishedthe rehearsal and went inside for dinner. My mother made an obnoxious speech about the sanctity of our union and how it would bring blessings to both our families. Kellan said some words about the great honor of being Lex’s father and how he looked forward to the long line of Fairfax-Washingtons after us.

To which my mother corrected, “Washington-Fairfaxes.”

Lex thanked everyone for coming and brought the crowd back to life with hilarious tales of us as children. Four years ago, I envisioned myself sitting here, frustrated I’d had to marry my worst nightmare. Watching him thrill the crowd with our former antics reminded me of what’d he told me. I’d belonged to him from the time he’d been born and he’d belonged to me. Nothing could stop that. Ever.

I was supposed to stay in my childhood room that night. It was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, but I didn’t care. My body craved his in a way it never had before. It wasn’t the lust, but something close to it. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I’d fallen in love with him andactuallywanted to fuck him because I liked it.

Hell, we might die tomorrow. The fairy king could show up and kill everyone and this could be my last night alive. I wanted to spend it with someone who loved me, and despite it all, Lex and I had loved each other since the moment we met.

I knew that now. Perhaps I’d always known it.

I waited until the house quieted, well past midnight, so I could be sure no one would see me. Then I tiptoed out of my room, down the hallway, and into the southern corridor, not bothering to knock before I slipped inside.

I walked to his bed and stood at the edge of it, staring down at Lex as he relaxed on his mattress. His head was propped up against the headboard, the faint glow of the cigarette between his lips illuminating his chiseled features. He raked his hazel eyes over my body, all the way down before coming back up again, saying so much without saying anything.

He wanted me naked. I yanked at the string holding my nightie together at my breasts, causing the fabric to flit over my arms and puddle at my feet. I raised an eyebrow and matched his expression with one of my own.

Yes.

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