“Draven?” Lina crosses the room, ending up right in front of me, brow knitted in concern. “You’re not attracted to this girl, are you?”
I laugh at her absurdity. “No, not a chance.”
Her eyes study me, looking for the truth in my words. She must not find it. “I don’t believe you.”
“You should. I have no interest in anything this girl offers.” I wish I could believe the words I’m saying.
There’s a knock at the door, and Simon peeks his head in. “I don’t think there’s anything left to plan. You’ve thought of it all, Mother,” Simon says as he enters the room and shuts the door behind him.
She smiles, turning toward her son. “It should be a lovely service. How’s Allison?”
“She’s a little worried.”
“Most brides are nervous on their wedding day.”
Simon stares at the ground before looking back up to meet his mother’s eyes. “Yeah, but not for the same reasons.”
“I know this will be hard on her, but it really is to keep her safe,” I say, staring at the two of them.
“The wedding is in a few days, and I’m nervous it won’t be believable,” Simon says.
“It’ll be fine,” I snap. “I can play pretend.”
“I know you can.” Lina smiles.
“Everything will be fine. And after the wedding, Simon, you’ll take the lead on the team.”
Simon agrees, but I’m not sure he’s completely on board with this plan. Sure, he wanted to be the one to marry Allison, so I understand his disappointment, but we all know I can protect her best.
I’m just wondering who’ll be able to protect me from falling for her.
Eight
Allison
* * *
It’s my wedding day, and I’ve felt jittery since I woke up this morning. If only my mother could see me now. I hope word of my nuptials never gets back to her or she’ll be livid. Her life plan for me is get a degree, marry a rich man after college, and pop out about two point five kids.
Even though Draven is the wealthiest man I’ve ever met, my mother wouldn’t be happy with the shuffled order of things. And that she didn’t select the father of her future grandbabies.
Not that she’ll be getting any. I never plan on having any children. Ever. A fact I haven’t told my mother yet. It’s not that I hate children, far from it, I just have too much to do with my life to be bogged down with the responsibility of raising a mini me.
Kids are a fun thought, but I want to travel and learn about the world. I have so many things I want to do that I don’t see how I could fit children in with my plans.
“Ready?” Lina peeks her head through my bedroom door. Her eyes go wide once she spots me in my wedding dress.
“Not really.”
“You look beautiful. Everything looks beautiful.” She touches my veil, her eyes roaming over me.
The wedding is taking place here, in Lina’s castle, and shortly after we say I do, Draven and I will head off to his castle in the mountains. I know the people we’re trying to convince will be here tonight, and I’ll do my best to pretend I’m madly in love, but I’m all sorts of nervous about going to live with a stranger. A man who can do things I can’t explain. I mean, I saw him fly from his balcony and land right in front of me without breaking any bones.
There are so many things I need answers to, but tonight, I need to play the part.
I worry I may play it too well. Draven is gorgeous, and every time he stares at me I feel my heart pump a little faster.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” I tell Lina.