Page 35 of Daman
“I should have said it last night.” Warrin’s cheeks darkened a bit, and he looked at Nikolai. “Shall we begin?”
Instead of one of us walking down the aisle toward the other, we would enter the chapel together. As equals.
Nikolai opened the door and entered first while we stayed in the entryway. The guests rose from their seats and bowed as he passed them on his way to a chair at the side of the altar. Queen Kira greeted him with a light kiss before they sat down together.
“Are you nervous?” I whispered.
“Yes.”
I peered at Warrin, shocked. Most people wouldn’t openly admit it. If he was being candid, I might as well do the same. “Me too.”
The high priest stood at the altar, and two crowns set on a cloth behind him. Crowning was an important wedding tradition to them. Warrin was a prince, but the crowns weren’t meant to signify royalty. They symbolized our union and the importance of ruling our households together.
A string quartet sat in front of a floor-to-ceiling window and readied their instruments. As the first note sounded in the air, Warrin offered me his arm. My stomach flipped as I slid my hand around his thick bicep and stepped forward with him
I felt eyes on me as we moved down the aisle. However, unlike when I was dancing in the club, the stares made me self-conscious. I held his arm a bit tighter.
Reaching the altar, Warrin released me, and we faced each other. His expression remained hard, yet tenderness gleamed in his blue eyes. He also breathed a little heavier, though it was so subtle I was probably the only one who noticed.
My mind blanked as the high priest started the ceremony, introducing each of us and mentioning the blessed union of our families. I caught a few of his words, but mostly, I stared at Warrin, noting the contrast between the hard angles of his face and the gentleness of his long pale lashes and perfectly plump bottom lip. His woodsy scent filled my nostrils, and my heart panged harder in my chest.
He smelled like winter, like spruce trees and crisp air.
“Bring forth the rings,” the priest said.
Armen stepped forward and kneeled, presenting the rings on a small pillow. The priest said a blessing over the rings before handing one to each of us. They were made of gold and platinum, the two-toned metal formed into flat bands with a single sapphire in the center at the top.
Warrin slid mine onto the fourth finger of my right hand, and I did the same with his. Wearing the wedding ring on the right hand was another of their traditions.
“These rings symbolize your promise to live together in the fellowship of marriage, to honor each other and provide strength if the other shall need it. To love and remain true. Before today, you were two halves, but today, you are made whole.”
The center of my chest tightened for some reason. I couldn’t explain what I felt as I stared into Warrin’s eyes, our hands joined. He was basically a stranger… yet, his touch called to something deep inside of me.
A rose-colored cloth was laid out for us, and we stood on top of it. Nikolai and Bellamy each grabbed one of the crowns before holding them over our heads. The ornate crowns were made of gold and decorated with emeralds and rubies.
“With these crowns, you will be united,” the priest said, “in faith and in oneness of mind. In truth and in love. Together, you will preside over your domain, and the home you will build together as husbands shall be ruled with wisdom and integrity.”
Bellamy smiled as he placed the crown on my head and stepped away. King Nikolai did the same to Warrin. The crown was heavier than it’d looked. The priest said a final prayer—more like a wish for us to have a happy and blessed union—and offered a goblet of wine for both of us to sip from.
“And now, a kiss. With the joining of your lips, your bond will be sealed.”
Warrin’s hand trembled in mine as we stepped closer. Hell, I was nervous too. Which made no sense. I had fucked countless men, let them bite me, grope me, kiss me. But looking at Warrin’s lips right then made me a bit light-headed.
He moved a hand to my waist and angled his head down to mine, his movement slow, hesitant. As if he were unsure. I rose up to meet him, and our mouths pressed together, soft at first.
Warrin exhaled through his nose and brought me closer, a slight tremor going through his body. He tasted sweet from the wine, and his lips were firm yet yielded to me as I deepened the kiss. It only lasted a second, maybe two, but it felt as though time slowed around us.
When we pulled apart, his lids were heavy, and a dazed look shone in his eyes.
It made my stomach flutter.
The wedding guests clapped, and through the cheers, I recognized Bellamy and Castor catcalling and being more obnoxious than what was necessary. I wouldn’t expect anything less from them.
“Shall we?” Warrin held out his hand.
I accepted it, and as our palms slid together, I noticed the warmth of his skin. My assumptions about him had been so damn wrong. He put on a cold front, but I saw gentleness in his eyes as we walked back down the aisle, hand in hand. As husbands.
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