Page 95 of Tarnished Queen

“I… I can’t believe you’re here.”

Elise grabs my shoulders and turns me to face Nikolai. “Thank your baby daddy. He made it all possible.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Don’t say ‘baby daddy.’”

“As soon as you’re married, I’ll start calling him your husband,” she says. “Until then, that’s his title.”

I look at Nikolai through tears. “How did you do this?”

“It wasn’t that hard,” he says. “Everyone wanted Elise here except for your mom. And she was easy enough to convince.”

“Thanks to Howard,” Elise chimes in. “The only reason Mom called the police at all is because Howard called and reamed her out for the way she treated you at the breakfast. He said he didn’t want anything else to do with her, so Mom tried to snatch me up and run.”

I shake my head. “I’m so sorry, Elise. I should have come after you. But I—”

“Was busy being arrested,” Elise interrupts. “It’s okay, Belle. I get it. I’m not mad. Besides, I had Howard on my side. He threatened to call the police on Mom and report her for… oh, you know, everything. He said he’d fight to get her in jail so he could get full custody of me unless she let me come back and be with you. It was that easy.”

“I’m sure it was.” I roll my eyes. “Mom has always looked out for herself first.”

Elise waves her hands like she’s clearing out a bad smell. “Forget her. You’re getting married!”

I grin. “I am.”

And now that the tears have stopped falling quite so heavily, I can see Elise clearly. I gasp. “Oh my… You look incredible. I guess I know where the Glam Squad snuck off to."

Her strawberry blonde hair falls in large, shiny curls against her shoulders and her pale green dress compliments her creamy complexion and brings out her eyes.

She does a little half-turn and curtsy. “Nikolai set me up with your hairdresser and makeup artist. I picked out this dress. He paid, though. So, like, give him an extra smooch or something to make up for it.”

“It’s perfect. You’re perfect,” I say, reaching out and grabbing her hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

We smile at each other until Nikolai moves behind me, his hands on my waist. “And now that she is here… it’s time.”

My heart stutters in my chest. I turn around, feeling suddenly nervous. “It’s time?”

Nikolai nods. “Are you ready?”

Panic wants to creep in, but Nikolai’s presence is bright and warm as the sun, dispelling all the shadows.

I place my hand over his and nod. “Let’s go get married.”

28

NIKOLAI

When Belle walks through the double doors and into the ceremony, I feel like I’m seeing her for the first time.

It’s not the form-fitting dress or the professional makeup. Belle is beautiful in nothing but her own skin, when her hair is mussed from sleep and her face is pillow-creased.

No, it’s that the cloud that has been hanging over her head since Elise was taken has lifted. She’s radiant, practically glowing from the inside out.

All at once, it hits me that I never want that glow to fade. I'll kill anyone who tries to so much as dim it.

She stops in front of me, tears shimmering in her eyes. I reach out and take her hand.

“Hi,” she whispers, her chin wobbling. “You look so good.”

“And you look perfect.” I lead her onto the platform and stare into her eyes as the minister starts to speak.

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