Page 242 of Beast and Remedy
That was barely a fortnight ago, and we wasted no more time.
Friends and family pitched in, pulling together a last-minute wedding celebration. Exhilaration pumps through my veins, and my smile never leaves as I tuck my beige undershirt into my trousers, styling my outfit with an embroidered vest lined with gold foliage.
The vest matches my doublet, the only difference between the two is the small notions of red flowers near the left breast. Red for Vivienne, rose for Rosebud.
My heart. My soul.
I pace in my room, grabbing the letter to my wife and tucking it inside my jacket as I glance out the window.
Knock. Knock.
“Are you ready?” Leo asks from the hall.
“Or did you suddenly get cold feet?” Marcel taunts shortly after, Leo’s loud roar of laughter following.
“I’m coming!” I grab my crown, stopping when snickers erupt beyond the door. Rolling my eyes, I stride to the door, scowling at my brother and close friend. “Don’t even start.”
Marcel raises his hands in mock surrender as Leo sighs. “You’re the one who said it.”
They chuckle as I pass, smirking with a skip in my step as we venture to the main level.
My advisors, along with Jean and Pierre, greet every guest in the foyer. Christine helps staff usher attendees to their seats in the lavishly decorated ballroom.
My sister greets me before jumping into my arms. “Oh, Beau,” she sings. “Wait till you see—”
“Uh-uh.” I lower her. “I don’t want any hints of what to expect.”
She tucks a loose blonde curl behind her ear as Esme and Odette approach.
“We’re ready when you are,” Esme beams, as Hugo and Veryon approach with Jean and Pierre.
I turn to Bernie’s advisors, exchanging pleasantries. “Thank you for all your help.”
Pierre grunts as Jean replies. “It’s always a pleasure.”
Looking to Esme, I gesture to them. “After you.”
My loved ones leave first, entering with music filling the hall and everyone standing to attention.
A twinkle of giddiness skates through me as I walk over the red rose petals sprinkled across the gilded satin runner. Ribbons of white and gold cover every bench I pass, my heart skipping with each step.
I inch toward the Alorian priest and my family and friends in the first few rows, Tove and Jerrick conversing with Bernie.
He stops and offers me his hand, a gesture I'm grateful to have reached with him. We’ve slowly tended to our alliance, and each time I see him and converse with him, I feel more at ease that we’ll return to the kinship we once had.
I bow with gratitude. “I cannot even begin to thank you for your blessing, Bernie—”
He brushes me off. “Oh, come now. Let’s not get too carried away—”
Tove lightly smacks his side, and he grunts.
He eyes her, and she arches a brow in accusation. “I wasgoingto say let’s not get too carried awaybecauseyou have a wedding day to enjoy.”
Tove nods with approval, and a ghost of a smile spreads across Bernie’s features before he walks down the aisle to collect his daughter.
I clamp Jerrick’s shoulder. “Thank you both for attending,” I say. “With the baby due so soon, I wasn’t expecting you to travel.”
Jerrick and Tove exchange a glance as she holds her swollen stomach, hesitation lingering between them.
