Page 136 of Until the End of Ever
I groaned. “For the millionth time, I’m not pregnant.”
Silver cleared her throat, peaking through the forum’s arch. “I think they’re ready for you.”
I licked my lip, nervously glancing up to the first floor, where the various shrines were still in complete ruins, Zeus’s, also condemned for now, a heavy iron door stopping anyone from walking in.
We’d done the same to his temple doors, though that felt like a temporary measure. We couldn’t exactly prevent everyone from celebrating the god they considered their patron.
“Right, ladies,” Thea demanded, and all of my bridemaids rushed to take their place, terrified of the highly organized Saltzin.
Technically, Silver was my maid of honor, but she’d been more than happy to leave the detail to the only one amongst us who knew what to do.
“Someone hold Lucky’s hand,” Kore hissed.
“I can do that!” Rhea offered.
“No, silly, you’re the flower girl. You get to toss those at people.” Silver handed my little cousin her basket, before taking Lucky’s arm. “I’ll hold you up.”
The music started, and I chuckled. I couldn’t believe he’d gone through with it, but unless my ears deceived me, Lucian truly had hired the awful trumpet guy from the Velvet Lounge.
Tears of laughter in my eyes, I walked through the arch, just as a waterfall dripped above my head, parting either side of me.
“Herm—” A man stepped forward, looking dapper in a shining suit made of the many colors of the sea, offering me his elbow.
I took in the familiar stormy eyes, and that long head of foam white hair.
“Shall we?” Poseidon prompted, his shark-like smile reaching his sea blue eyes.
Stunned, I took it, walking through the forum where Lucian had been accused, now filled with rows of benches, valers and unders seated either side, all smiling. My eyes sought the man waiting for me, as the trumpet was silence, replaced by the most enticing sounds I’d ever hear. I couldn’t bring myself to look at where these sounds could be coming for, because right at the end of the walk, was Lucian, all in white few embroidered blue threads on his sleeves and lapels.
Poseidon offered him my hand, and a jolt of pure energy travelled between us, as it always did, the moment I took it.
I didn’t think anything could have made me stop looking into those gray eyes, but the voice calling out attention now did.
“Kleos Valesco, blood of Freya, of the house Vanir,” she said, commanding and confident.
I gasped, taking in the tall, purple haired speaker in absolute disbelief.
“You’ve given your body and soul to Lucian Regis, and now we’re to celebrate your union through the holiest of bonds: matrimony. Do you come to this altar of your own volution?”
I didn’t hesitate. “I do.”
“And will you take this man as your husband, to love, cherish and protect before the eyes of the gods, until all return to chaos?”
I understood Lucian’s choice now. Of course we had to do this here, with Hera, the queen of heaven and goddess of matrimony, and my divine father in attendance.
We were immortals. So long as neither of us were murdered, we could live forever. A piece of paper wasn’t enough for us.
“Until the end of ever,” I said. “Hells yes.”
She smiled kindly, turning to Lucian. “Lucian Regis, son of the house of Nyx, blood of sirens, heir of Death. You were given the greatest gift a goddess could offer. Your word is your bound. Do you accept it, and be forever known as her husband, lover and protector?”
“I accept every deal this foolish witch has ever tried to make. I will forever protect you, for all the cupcakes. I will forever kiss you, and twice for every day we might spend apart. I will never stop fucking you—not in a thousand years.” The crowd laughed. “And everything else you’ve promised. Until the end of ever.”
I leaped into his waiting arm and brought my mouth to his, laughing as I kissed him.
The sky overhead and ground below roared, but not with lightening or the signs of an earthquake. Just a sign Moros had heard us both.
Nothing would ever come between us.
Until the end of ever.
The End
