Page 32 of My Orc Contract Husband
And I was saved.
The door in the back of the church opened, and Sami’s cousin stepped through. At least, I had to assume it was Riven, because she was dressed in a pretty pink strapless gown—the color Sami told me she’d chosen for the “wedding theme,” whatever that meant—and stompeddown the aisle holding her bouquet as if she thought this whole wedding was taking too long.
I agreed that I wanted to get on with it.
Sakkara stepped forward and took Riven’s arm when she reached the front, and her flirtatious smile was charming.
I’ll admit that I wasn’t paying much attention to her, though.
Because the door had opened again, and then Sami was there, meeting my eyes.
She told me that it was tradition for fathers to escort their daughters down the aisle to their future husbands, but since her father’s death was what had put her in so much trouble already, she’d asked her aunt.
After all, Aunt Sharon was more family to her than her father had ever been.
The older woman wore a dress that was the same pink as Riven’s, although more demurely cut, and her smile seemed a little fixed, as if she wasn’t quite sure this was the right move for her niece.
Sami, on the other hand, never hesitated.
She’d taken less than a day to decide this wasright, and I loved that surety. Her confidence—in herself, in me, in our future, no matter how temporary—was what made me certain this was the right move.
Iwouldprotect her, and once we were married, my name would offer her protection as well.
She walked toward me with her head held high and hershoulders back, that glorious golden hair sweeping down her back.
She’d chosen a pale green strapless gown for her wedding dress. I grinned, remembering how she’d texted before she and her aunt went shopping that she planned to pick something practical. How in the hells wasthissparkly thing considered practical?
Maybe my grin was just what she needed because I watched her jaw relax, and sensed the moment the tension in her shoulders eased. A small grin tugged at her lips, and I hoped she could sense that I wanted this.
Almost as much as I wantedher.
She needs you. You can save her. That’s the only reason she’s doing this.
And Iwouldsave her. From whatever danger threatened.
When they reached the front of the church, Aswan stepped forward to lead Aunt Sharon away, and then Sami’s hand was in mine. I stared down at this fragile little female who was the strongest I’d ever met, who’d chosenmeto entrust her future.
At least, a year and a day of it.
“Ready,dkaar?” I whispered.
I don’t know how the endearment slipped out. She wasn’t my beloved, and we hadn’t discussed havingfeelingsfor one another. This marriage was a contract, a business arrangement.
But she deserved some softness on her wedding day.
Sami’s chin rose again, and the light caught on the pale green stones she wore at her ear lobes. Peridot. I recognized it from my time in the mountains, and wished I had a stone to offer her for her throat. Wished I hadanythingto offer her that was my own; the ring in my pocket had belonged to her mother.
But I was marrying her for money, so I couldn’t afford to gift her gems.
All I could offer her was my strength, my protection…and for a year and a day, my heart.
“Ready,” Sami murmured, her fingers tightening around mine.
I didn’t see hesitation, didn’t scent worry. My bride was certain this was the right decision.
And I would be too.
Taking a deep breath, I allowed her to lead me toward the holy man…and our marriage.
