Page 35 of Queen of Ashes and Scars
The sun plunges under the horizon, and we start climbing the carved staircase leading up to the top. As we reach the last step, Sebastian comes into view. My soon-to-be husband stands in front of the Elder at the very edge of the cliff. His fire-red hair burns in the twilight, his hands at his front. A dark-blue tuxedo and white undershirt highlight his strong shoulders, his expectant look turning my legs to jell-o.
Emilia holds out her hand for me to hand her the bouquet, while Jason, Keenan, and Hadria’s Bringer, Jorge, stand on the other side of the rock. The four of them serve as our witnesses, but I wish Leo was here.
A steep chasm spreads all around us, the small nook barely large enough for the seven of us to stand on. Deep blue waves spray over the rocks below, their depths dizzying.
My heart aches, tight and painful. Sebastian still looks like sex on legs, but wrapped in an adoring prince charming bow, and the sight knocks the air out of my lungs. Alec guides me over to him, his game face on as he hands me over to the young rebel vampire and side steps to the left, still very close to us considering the narrow ledge we’re standing on.
It’s an unconventional wedding, but the fact that it takes place on Hadria—and with enough witnesses not to be consideredsecret—will legitimize the proceedings. Any royal wedding would normally require the government’s seal of approval, and I keep waiting for assassins or—Nyx forbid—the Prime Minister to jump in from the shadows and convince the Elder not to perform the ceremony.
“Isn’t it a bit dramatic?” I murmur to Sebastian, trying to regain my composure.
The cliffs, the sea, the wind, the sunset…it’s too much. Too perfect.
His lips twitch. “You wanted a traditional wedding in Hadria.”
“I wanted to be near Nyx’s tomb,” I say, hanging tight to my rational side not to tear up.
“Nyx’s tomb can wait.” He takes my hands in his and eyes me up and down. “You’re the loveliest bride in all the worlds, Ari.”
My mouth is dry, but not with thirst. A moment ago, I was shaking with nerves, but now…now I can’t remember why I ever thought I could marry anyone else.
My short heels twinkle, reflecting the sky’s warm hues as I step closer to him.
The Elder draws in a long, measured breath, both arms raised to the sky. “We are gathered here today under Nyx’s watchful eye to celebrate the union of our dark rose, Princess Arielle Delacroix, to Lord Sebastian Chastain, duke of Cimmeria.”
Oh my god. This is really happening.I feel faint.
“Sebastian Pierre Chastain, do you take Arielle Beatrice Delacroix, princess of the night realm and heir to the shadow throne, to be your wife, in blood and death, to follow the command of our mother Nyx and protect her secrets until the salt of the earth covers your bones?”
“I do.”
“And you, Arielle Beatrice Delacroix, do you take…” the Elder continues his speech, but I’m lost in Sebastian’s gaze.
He leans in, his boyish grin turning my world inside-out. “It won’t be all flowers and blood, you know.”
“I count on you to keep my head in the game,” I say quietly.
“I will, Lil’ Bit. Until my last bite.”
His nose brushes mine, the hand on the small of my back gentler than I expected as I look up at him through my eyelashes. He breathes me in, his eyes closed.
Sebastian’s whole demeanor raises goosebumps on my neck and sparks a fire in my heart as his lips ghost over my cheek. “Your cue, Lil’ Bit. He just asked if you wanted to marry me.”
The Elder clears his throat, and I realize I was so focused on Sebastian I missed his speech completely.
“I do,” I say quickly, my cheeks tingling.
The Elder relaxes, and I realize my long silence probably gave him—and everyone—the wrong idea. “You may kiss your bride.”
There’s no applause as we kiss, no sound at all but the rumble of the waves below.
The Elder joins his hands together in prayer. “May our mother bless your vows. I will take you to her chambers now.”
Alec’s ghastly glow is like a kick in the gut, his edges blurry. “I’m leaving. I can’t—”
I hurry over to him at how agitated he looks and press a finger to his lips. “Stay.”
“Jealousy is ugly, Beaumont.” Sebastian cracks behind me.
