Page 65 of Knotting else Matters

“Oh, so you’re the one who finally managed to tame him,” a warm, teasing voice called out, and I turned to see a tall, handsome man with bright, laughing blue eyes and wavy blonde hair stepping forward. He wore a perfectly fitted suit, but his smile was lazy, his posture relaxed.

“Sebastian.” Adrian’s voice was a low, amused rumble, and he pulled me a little closer, his arm slipping around my waist. “I didn’t realize you were here.”

“Of course I’m here. Plane landed lade, but finally made it.” Sebastian grinned, his gaze flicking between the two of us, a faint, wicked light in his eyes. “Yet, I taught Karl was the love puppy, not you. The great Adrian, actually smiling. Gods, I thought the world was ending.”

“Laugh it up.” Adrian’s voice was dry, but there was a faint, playful warmth in his eyes. “Your turn next, man.”

Sebastian’s laugh was a sharp, bright burst. “Oh, not a chance in hell. I like my freedom, thank you very much.”

“Coward,” Adrian muttered, but his smile didn’t fade.

I grinned, leaning into Adrian’s warmth, feeling the quiet, steady pressure of his arm around me, the fierce, wild heat of his touch a perfect, soothing balm against the sharp, aching tension that had once twisted in my chest.

But then the bells began to ring—a soft, gentle chime that seemed to sweep through the estate, the warm, golden sunlight spilling across the garden, the soft, sweet scent of wildflowers drifting in the breeze.

“It’s time,” Sophie whispered, her voice a soft, trembling murmur, her wide, bright eyes meeting mine. “Liv… it’s time.”

And then we were swept away—guided into a line, the grand procession moving down the winding path, the soft, sweet notes of a harp playing in the distance, the warm, golden glow of the sun casting a soft, shimmering light over the lush, rolling hills.

The Moon Goddess temple rose before us, a breathtaking vision of pale, silver stone and twisting, vine-covered columns, the delicate, soft light of the stained-glass windows spilling across the marble steps. The scent of incense drifted through the air, a sweet, calming perfume that wrapped around us, mingling with the faint, silvery mist that curled along the temple grounds.

Inside, the temple was a dream—tall, arched ceilings that stretched toward the heavens, their pale, silver glow dancing across the intricate murals that lined the walls. Soft, silken banners of lavender and white fluttered from the columns, their delicate, ethereal shimmer catching the warm, golden light of the candles that lined the aisle.

Sophie and Karl stood at the front, beneath the grand, silver statue of the Moon Goddess, her serene, graceful figure bathed in a soft, silvery glow. The priestess stood before them, her voice a soft, melodic murmur that seemed to drift through the quiet, hushed air.

“We gather here beneath the light of the Moon Goddess,” the priestess intoned, her voice a quiet, soothing whisper. “To witness the union of two souls, two hearts bound by love, by trust, by the sacred promise of the moon.”

Sophie’s wide, blue eyes were fixed on Karl, her trembling hands clasped in his, her lips curling into a soft, radiant smile. Karl’s grin was wide, bright, his gaze never leaving hers, his thumb gently brushing against the back of her hand.

“Do you, Karl, promise to love, honor, and protect Sophie, to stand by her side in darkness and in light, in sorrow and in joy?”

“I do.” His voice was a low, steady rumble, but there was a fierce, wild joy in his eyes, a quiet, desperate devotion that seemed to fill the room.

“And do you, Sophie, promise to love, honor, and cherish Karl, to stand by his side in darkness and in light, in sorrow and in joy?”

“I do.” Her voice was a soft, breathless whisper, her cheeks flushed, her smile radiant.

The priestess raised her hands, her voice a quiet, melodic chant that seemed to sweep through the temple, the soft, silvery glow of the moonlight spilling through the stained-glass windows, wrapping around them in a quiet, ethereal embrace.

“By the light of the Moon Goddess, by the sacred bond of love, I pronounce you mated.”

A soft, gentle cheer rose through the temple, the quiet, joyful hum of laughter and applause, and Karl swept Sophie into his arms, his lips crashing against hers in a fierce, wild kiss.

Beside me, Adrian’s hand tightened around mine, his dark gaze never leaving mine, a faint, quiet smile curling at his lips.

And for a moment, beneath the soft, silvery glow of the temple, beneath the warm, golden light of the moon, I felt it—the quiet, fierce heat of his touch, the wild, desperate thrill that twisted in my chest.

The reception was a whirlwind of laughter, music, and the warm, golden glow of candlelight. The grand hall was a breathtaking vision of elegance—tall, arched ceilings draped in soft, silken banners of lavender and white, the tables lined with delicate arrangements of wildflowers and twinkling fairy lights. A grand chandelier cast a warm, golden light over the polished marble floor, where couples twirled and laughed, the soft, joyful hum of conversation filling the room.

The long, polished dining tables were lined with silver platters of delicacies—roast lamb dripping with rosemary glaze, buttery, golden potatoes, fresh, colorful salads, and delicate, flaky pastries stuffed with sweet, spiced fruit. Glasses clinked, laughter rose and fell like a soft, melodic wave, and in the center of it all, Sophie and Karl glowed. They were radiant, their laughter bright and infectious, their love a fierce, wild spark that seemed to light up the room.

I stood beside Adrian, his warm, steady presence a quiet, comforting shadow beside me, his fingers brushing against mine, his dark, intense gaze flicking to me every few seconds, that faint, lazy smile never leaving his lips.

“Alright, ladies!” Sophie’s voice rang out, a bright, joyful call that seemed to ripple through the room. “It’s time!”

A group of women gathered in a loose, giggling circle near the dance floor, their eager faces alight with excitement, their hands reaching out as Sophie turned, the bouquet of wildflowers clutched in her delicate, gloved hands.

Adrian leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against my ear. “Aren’t you supposed to be over there, battling for the bouquet?”

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