The Palace (Chateau 4)

I inhaled a deep breath, feeling my eyes water, because that man was always there for me—even when I wasn’t in the room.

“You’ve always been loyal to me, Melanie. You’ve always been loyal to what we both believe in. But I was too lost in myself to see that. If it weren’t for you, I would have died a long time ago. If it weren’t for you, that camp would still be running this very moment. If it weren’t for both of us, the future would be different for a lot of people. We both played our parts, and I think it was meant to happen. I think we were meant to come here, end that camp, fix those broken men, and together, heal. We’ve lost the same thing that they have—family. But together…we’ve become our own family.”

Tears dripped down my cheeks for the first time since my wedding. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that to forgive myself, to find the closure my soul desperately needed. “I’m still sorry that I got us wrapped up in the first place—”

“Don’t be.” She looked at me with her own watery eyes. “Because I wouldn’t change anything. I had to go through hell to find Magnus—but he was worth it. There’s no one else I could ever be with. He was made for me.”

I nodded because I completely agreed. “I forgive you.”

She inhaled a deep breath. “You do?”

She hadn’t always been as compassionate toward me, but that didn’t matter anymore. “Always.”

Thirty

The Chateau

Fender

An arch in front of the entrance was covered in white flowers, the only decoration they needed. The chateau showed its weathered age, the color of the walls faded, cracks in some places. It was ancient, hundreds of years old, but her bones were strong.

Magnus stood in his tuxedo, his hands in his pockets, looking out at the landscape as he waited for his bride.

“This place looks like shit.”

His eyes shifted to me. “We’re spending our honeymoon here.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes.”

I gave it another scan before I looked at him again. “Does it have AC?”

He smiled. “No.”

“Alright, then.”

He chuckled. “We don’t need it.”

“Apparently…”

He looked forward again, waiting for her.

“She let you keep it.”

“It was mine before the camp.” He turned around and looked at the ancient building behind him. “We’re going to restore it. It’ll take a long time, but we’ll get there. Maybe we’ll move here eventually.”

My brother was clearly happy, so I was happy. “That’ll be nice.”

He faced forward again, his eyes squinting slightly in the sun.

When Raven escaped the camp, this had been where she’d disappeared. This had been her escape plan. While my men had combed the countryside in search of her, she was here, hidden from sight, right under my nose.

I understood why it meant so much to him.

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything, brother.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a remote. “I wired the bells to this. When the priest announces we’re husband and wife, hit the button.”

I grinned and took it from him then clapped him on the shoulder. “King of romance over here.”

He grinned back.

The priest walked up the path and joined us, the same one who married me. “She’s ready.”

A harpist began the quiet music.

Melanie came first. In a green gown with flowers in her hair, my wife was stunning, smiling at me like she was walking down the aisle to me all over again.

I inhaled a slow breath, loving her from a distance.

Damn.

She stopped on the other side of Magnus, holding an arrangement of flowers. Her eyes were on me.

Mine were on her.

When Magnus inhaled a deep breath, I knew he’d seen her.

I turned to watch Raven.

She wasn’t alone. She pulled her chestnut horse by the reins, wearing a simple white gown with her eyes on Magnus.

Magnus smiled and released a quiet chuckle because he’d had no idea about the horse. I’d arranged for her to be delivered without Magnus knowing—and it worked.

I’d never doubted Raven’s love for my brother, but now I could really see it.

She loved him the way Melanie loved me.

She stopped in front of Magnus, and I took Rose by the reins, guiding her to the side so she wouldn’t step on anyone.

Their hands came together. Eyes locked. And the priest began the ceremony.

Her eyes were wet. His were too.

It didn’t seem like they were listening to anything the priest said, so focused on each other.

I remembered that was how I was on our day. Just wanted it to be over—so she would be my wife.

“You take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?”

Raven smiled. “I do.”

“Do you take—”

“I do.”

She smiled wider.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I hit the button in my pocket.