Page 102 of A Clash of Stars

It pissed me off how he could be so upset about this when he had our entire life to pursue me. Instead, he rejected me until someone else came along, then threatened my entire family and existence last night.

I wanted to give him the big middle finger and tell him what an ass he was, but then Evander’s hand grabbed my knee letting me know I needed to calm down.

The strong voice of my father flowed into my ear, “Well, we have three main events today for the wedding festivities. Everyone will be there; they are thrilled to see our beautiful princess and her new husband. First, we have some simple relay games that the royal family and other chosen members of the kingdom will participate in. Second, we have my favorite, the wine and food tasting contest,” my Father chuckled slightly because the man loved the idea of the content. He finished out the explanation with the most dreaded part, “and finally, capture the bride.”

I could see Evander’s eyebrows raised in question to the last event. “Father, would you kindly explain how the capture the bride event works, for Evander?” My father smiled at my question.

“Of course, sweetheart. It really is more of a capture-the-flag-style game except we capture the bride. We take Clara to an undisclosed location and all the eligible men in the Kingdom and her husband compete to find her.”

I felt Evander tense as my father explained this event to him.

Madok’s voice spoke up, “What happens if the husband doesn’t find her, and someone else does?”

My father sighed, I knew what would be said. “Then, the bride has the option to denounce her marriage to her husband and marry the winning contender, or she can stay with her husband.”

My eyes darted around to the others at the table and I waited for a question or a statement to be said in response, and that’s when Evander said what I was expecting him to.

“Well, that should be no problem. No man will come close to her, only me.” He leaned over placing a soft kiss on my cheek and I could feel the blush radiating on my skin.

A challenging laugh escaped Madok’s mouth, “Yeah, we’ll see about that.”

He stood abruptly and walked away from the table, leaving us slightly shocked, but not truly. I knew what Madok wanted to do. He wanted to find me so I could get out of the marriage with Evander, but to be honest, I didn’t want to. Even if Madok did beat Evander, there was no way I would want to marry him. He was a liar and a complete asshole. Gods, I wanted this day to go ahead and be over so I wouldn’t need to worry any longer.

After the relay races, my father completely wiped out in the mud, which was hilarious, but being who he was, he was more concerned about the other contender racing who also fell in the mud alongside him.

He, indeed, was a wonderful father and ruler. They were so lucky to have him as their King, and I was blessed to have him as the man who raised me.

The race was about to conclude when I spotted familiar faces in the crowd. Griffin, Lettie, Jeremiah, and Bethany.

I was so surprised to see them. When Bethany locked her eyes on me, she sprinted and wrapped me in a huge hug. I took in her lavender scent and was instantaneously comforted by it. Her blue eyes pierced into mine, and I knew she had the same overwhelming feeling I had for her, adoration. When we met in Manzanita, I knew immediately that she and I would be great friends. I didn’t know what our future would hold, but I knew she was the balance I needed right now.

“Clara! Oh, my gods. I am so freaking happy to see you. After the attack on the city, I asked about you, and they told me you were captured, but it looks like maybe something…else was captured.”

Bethany smirked at me, and without elaborating on her comment, I knew what she meant.

“Yes, a very complicated and fast chain of events led us to this day, but enough about me. Wow! You look fantastic in this dress. Turn any contender’s heads yet?”

She laughed, “Yeah, right? With my dad lurking around me? No way.”

We started walking back toward the friends I had acquired over the past few months and years. I had missed them and being around them.

I noticed Bethany’s father walking towards me with a bright smile that matched his daughter’s. I went to shake Jeremiah’s hand when I was scooped up from my side by no one other than Griffin.

“There’s our beautiful princess! Heard you married my ole bud Evander. It’s not too late to back out, you know?”

I squealed, “Oh, it’s not? Hm. I wonder what strikingly handsome man could step in for him.”

His laugh was all-consuming and pure. “Nah, none more handsome than Evander.”

“Damn right!”

I heard his voice before I saw him, but I felt the energy from him without touching him. Griffin and Evander embraced in a big hug then Griffin punched him right in the ribs.

“What the abyss, dude? How are you gonna marry Clara and not tell me? I am your right-hand man.”

Evander was holding his rib cage and barked out a laugh before responding.

“Sorry, man. You know I would’ve told you sooner if I could have. Maybe we could have a do-over wedding, and I’ll make sure you’re there. How’s that sound?”

---