Page 117 of The Queen & the King

“Mel. Are you good?”

She stops pacing and looks at me, her eyes wide as she takes in my gown. She’s seen it before, but not when I’m all dressed up and ready to marry the love of my life.

“P, you look…” She thinks for a moment before her lips twitch, “like a rose with a bite.”

I grin and pull her into a hug. “Love you, Mel.”

“Love you too, P.” She pulls back, bracing her hands on my upper arms and looking at me gravely. “Okay, I have to ask you this as your best friend.”

“No, I don’t want butt plug recommendations.”

Mellie gives me a look. “Are you sure you want to marry Hades? He’s like super boring, and I’ve been told he doesn’t even stab you.”

My lips twitch. “I’m more than sure.”

Mellie grins. “Then let’s get you hitched to demon daddy, spring mommy.”

“Okay, let’s nip that in the bud.” I laugh.

The music swells from within the room, and Mellie winks at me. “That’s my cue!”

The doors open as if by magic, and Mellie walks down the aisle. Even from here, I can see Helios’s eyes darken as he watches her move toward him.

My heart flutters, and I close my eyes, taking a breath. It’s my turn.

I step into the doorway and start walking down the aisle. My gaze locks on Hades, and I am so captivated by his eyes that I can’t even appreciate how he looks in his suit. I’m not even halfway down the aisle when Hades starts to descend the steps, trying to get to me. I watch as a silent conversation takes placebetween Mellie and Helios. He steps forward and grabs the back of Hades’ jacket, holding him on the dais.

I glance at Mellie, who is mouthing, “I will kill you,” to Helios, and my lips twitch. My eyes only stray from Hades for the briefest of moments before I need to look at him again, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Hades holds out his hand to me when I’m closer, and my skin tingles, already anticipating his touch. I’ve not seen him since early this morning, and honestly, it’s been awful. I place my hand in his, and my stomach warms with rightness.

Hades yanks me to him, wrapping his arm around my back and looking down at me with such intensity my cheeks heat. “You look beautiful,” he croons, stroking my back with his thumb.

I slide my hands up his powerful arms. “And you look so handsome.”

Hades smiles so genuinely that my body throbs for him. He leans in to kiss me, and I push to my tiptoes, hungry for him. Our lips are just a breath apart when Mellie groans loudly.

“You are both terrible at this,” she says, her voice filled with irritated despair.

I smile, biting my lips together to stop my laugh.

Hades reluctantly pulls back and looks at Hera, who I only just noticed. Her face is pulled into a bitter scowl.

“Let’s make this official,” Hades says with a nod, ushering Hera on.

She bristles, and I look back at Hades, smiling brightly. I can practically feel myself glowing.

“Face one another and place your left hand in Hades’.’” Hera’s voice is full of spite.

It must suck to be the Goddess of Marriage when your husband is such a massive dickhead.

I look up at Hades and slip my hand into his. Hera hovers her hand over ours, and a gold rope binds our joined hands.

“Speak your vows. You first, Hades,” Hera practically spits at him.

Hades doesn’t seem to notice. His gaze is locked on mine, and while Hera might be venomous towards our union, this ceremony is full of love.

“For a long time, I’ve been utterly alone. I thought I preferred it that way until you burst into my life, filling it with so much laughter and love that my heart felt like it was overflowing. Fate may have matched us, but the choice is still ours, and I will pick you every morning, every evening, every spring, and every winter to be my wife and queen.” He holds my gaze with such intensity, honesty, and devotion that my eyes sting with tears. “From now until the end.”

---