Page 80 of Beltane

It didn’t matter that my heart was breaking. It didn’t matter that I’d rather swim through lava before marrying this ancient wanker. I carried the weight of the generations before me, and I’d never be able to break free.

It hurt too much to think of Ivy and Carter without also thinking of Lex and what he’d done to save us. I remembered Ivy’s scorching stare the night I’d left. It told me I could never go back to them. Not anymore.

“Your Highness,” the wedding planner called, refocusing my attention. “It’s time.”

Swallowing down bile, I nodded and forced my shoulders back, raising my chin. I’d done heroic things. I’d saved the world twice. I could do a silly thing like get married.

Just smile.Just get through it.

Forcing the grin on my face, I followed the wedding planner through the dark stone hallways of the tiny cathedral. Once the prince learned I was capable of disappearing for weeks on end, he demanded a quick, private ceremony to tie me down. I had agreed because I could do nothing else. My hands had been tied by heartbreak and centuries of tradition. I had loved and lost and now, nothing mattered anymore.

“Are we ready?” Edward held out his elbow for me. I gave him a hesitant nod, turning to look down the short aisle. My grandparents stood to one side, matching grins of pride on their faces. Reginald, the prince of Monaco, stood next to the minister in his gleaming black suit, his eyes soft and warm with appreciation. Rancid anxiety churned in my gut, but I choked it back.

“Last chance to run,” Edward whispered, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve got the escape car out back.”

“Ha ha,” I said, taking a deep breath to slow my racing heart. “Very funny.” The organ blared to life and the cameramen on either side swiveled the lenses to me.

This is it.No going back now.

“I’m serious,” Edward whispered. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do.” I sighed, clenching his arm tighter. “This is the only option.”

“No, it’s not.” He glanced around, shifting uncomfortably. “This is a raft of horseshite, and you know it. I know it. Fuck, even Gran knows it. She doesn’t want to admit it.”

“Not the point.” We hadn’t even started walking down the aisle yet and my pulse beat so hard, I could barely hear myself think, let alone plot an escape. What the hell was he saying?

“Little coz,” Edward’s voice echoed with the years of endearment between us. I’d never had siblings, but the closest in relationship would be him. “There is nothing in this life worth more sacrifice than true love, and it’s not with this old man.”

I furrowed my brows. Who the hell was this and what had he done with my cousin? I’d never heard Edward talk like that before. The man despised monogamous relationships more than I did.

“I saw the way you are together, the four of you. It was always meant to be that way.” He shook his head and pursed his lips, looking around at this charade while we waited for the bridal march to begin. “This is a joke, and someday, you won’t find it funny.”

“You’re the one to talk.” I balked. “I’m surprised you even made it. No orgies close enough, is it?”

He held my hand tighter. “Make your taunts. It only proves I’m right.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I gestured to the cameras and photographers and family members. It wasn’t a typical royal wedding with thousands of guests, but Gran wouldn’t have let this happen without getting some press. The official story was that the prince and I had fallen in love months ago, but waited to make it official until we could have a small ceremony at the cathedral in Aberdeen. I’d never been a public person, so it fit well enough even if I hated everything about it.

“Well, at this point, you’ve got to make a scene.” Edward shrugged, brushing a hand back through his ginger hair. “Object to your own wedding. Tell the entire world your heart truly belongs to Ivy Washington. Let the chaos fly.”

I rolled my eyes and ran my fingers over my forehead. “Thatwouldbe your advice.”

The opening notes came from the organ, marking the point we’d have to start walking. Edward held my hand tight while my entire body shook, each step bringing me closer to my fate. Gran widened her smile, and Prince Reginald straightened his spine, running his hand down over his suit.

“Miriam,” he said, holding out a hand when I got close enough.

I turned to Edward, who kissed me on the cheek, whispering a quick, “The safeword is lemon tart,” before winking and placing my fingers in Reginald’s waiting palm.

“Who presents this woman for marriage?” the minister said.

“I do,” Edward announced. “On behalf of God, the United Kingdom and its commonwealth, and her family.”

“Thank you,” Reginald said, guiding me closer to the minister. He gave me a gentle smile, the creasing skin around his eyes reminding me again of our age difference. This wouldn’t be a love match, and the first time he put his hands on me, I’d truly have to close my eyes and think of England. The idea made me retch, but in my chest, a hollow hole throbbed that had once been my heart. Absent such a vital organ, nothing in the world made sense.

The doors to the chapel flew open, a gust of hot summer wind whipping my hair around my face.

“I object!” said the intruder.

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