Lucius (Acquisition 4)

“Absolutely perfect.” She beams. “Okay, I’m really going this time.” She slips out of the white tent.

We’re having the wedding at my family’s property in a beautiful new gazebo Lucius had built. He even chose all the roses and flowers around it, making it a real-life dream. His wedding gift to me was the entire acreage. “In case you need alone time. But you won’t ever need alone time. And if you do, I’ll just follow you over here until you realize alone time is overrated.”

I don’t know how he’s such a cinnamon bun to me but death incarnate to our enemies. But he definitely pulls it off.

“Okay, we’re on.” Stella hurries around me, her emerald green dress a gorgeous look on her. “Let me do the veil.” She reaches up and gently lays it over my face. “Perfect.”

The string instruments start to play, and Stella rolls the girls in their cute little white double carriage out to strew the flower petals.

I wait, wondering if I made a mistake when I decided to go down the aisle on my own. I could’ve asked Sin or Teddy. I chose not to. Maybe because of Red, because I like to think the part of him that loved me—the good part of him—is still here. He wouldn’t appreciate giving me away to Lucius, but I can’t change who I love. That goes for both of them.

So, I’m going it alone. When I walk out there, I’ll be greeting my family. Joining them. And I’ll never walk alone again.

Taking a deep breath, I grab my bouquet of white hydrangea and pink peonies, then push out of the tent and start down the petal-strewn aisle.

When I look up, I almost lose my footing.

Lucius is absolutely gorgeous in a black tux, his smirk turning into a broad smile the moment he sees me. I keep walking, my heart pounding as I reach him beneath the gazebo.

“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” he whispers in my ear.

I hand my bouquet to Stella and turn back to him.

When he reaches for my veil, his hands are steady as he lifts it. “There you are, my darling.” He strokes my cheek, then takes my hands. His are warm and sure, his gaze never wavering.

Sin officiates, his voice carrying over the small group as the wind blows gently. I barely listen, my entire being focused on the man holding my hands—holding my heart.

When the ceremony is done and Lucius slides the ring on my finger, I feel like I might float away. And when he seals our vows with a kiss, I hold on tight. To him. To our life together. And to our future.