Emery stared at herself in the mirror. The final touches were done. The makeup, the hair, the veil–all in ce. She looked… different. Almost like someone else.
The A–line gown she’d chosen clung perfectly to her shoulders. The off–shoulder neckline showed just enough skin without making her feel exposed. The silk satin shimmered faintly under the soft light.
Thece that ran along the hem and sleeves had been stitched with tiny beads, and the pearl buttons down her back had been carefully fastened. She had seen it on herself before, but today, it looked different. More real.
Nina stood behind her, arms crossed, head tilted, studying her like a final project. “You look insane,” she said. “Like, actually unfair levels of beautiful. There should bews against this kind of thing.”
Emery let out a soft breath, catching her reflection again. “I know what you’re doing,” she said, not turning. “Thanks. But I’m not actually nervous.”
The words left her too quickly. Even as she said them, she knew they weren’t true. Her fingers were clenched lightly in herp, and her chest had that hollow feeling–like she was standing at the edge of something big. This was her wedding. Even if it was with a man she barely knew, it was still hers.
A marriage. To a stranger.
She nced at her reflection again. The makeup, the dress, the veil–it all looked so wless. She didn’t feel wless. She felt like she was holding her breath and waiting for the next step.
Nina grabbed her phone and held it up. “Don’t move.” She snapped a photo from behind, capturing the flow of the veil and the fall of the gown. In the mirror, Emery’s face was visible, so Nina quickly blurred it before saving the image.
She turned the screen to show Emery. “Look at this.”
Emery nodded. “It’s good. Save it.”
“Already done.”
They were alone in the room, for now. Her grandmother and James were supposed toe get her any moment now<i>. </i>Emery had made her decision earlier that morning–she would walk down the aisle with both of them. It felt right. Like something that bnced the past and the future.
She sat down briefly, smoothing her hands over herp, Nina checked her phone again, scrolling absently. “Shall we take a few more selfies before you officially marry a handsome stranger?”
That made Emery smile. After what felt like forever, they finally finished taking selfies together, As her maid of honor, Nina stayed by her side–helping withst–minute touches and making sure she had everything she
needed.
“Nervous?” she asked.
Emery stared at her reflection. She didn’t answer. She was. Heck… she was.
Meanwhile, Logan stood inside his own room, pacing.
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Sebastian leaned against the wall near the armoire, arms folded as he watched Logan pace. “You keep doing that and you’ll sweat through the jacket,” he said. “Not exactly ideal. Humans don’t like the smell of sweat, remember? Especially not brides in white silk.”
Logan stopped mid–step. His jaw tensed. He turned toward the window instead, staring out.
The garden below was already glowing. The full moon cast a silver light over the rows of white chairs, each lined with petals. The arch stood tall at the center, draped in pale fabric and soft florals that shifted in the breeze. Everything was exactly how he nned it.
Still, something in his chest wouldn’t settle.
“You think I’m doing the right thing?” he asked without turning.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “That’s a first. You’ve never asked for my opinion before doing something. Ever.”
Logan clenched his jaw.
Sebastian pushed off the wall. “If you want it honest, then no. I think marrying a human is dangerous. Stupid, even. But then again, you’re not just anyone. You’re the Rogue King. Since when did you ever follow a rule that didn’t suit you?”
Logan didn’t move.
Sebastian came closer. “This ce is locked down. No one gets in or out without being seen. You did your part. You secured her safety. Now you’re just waiting. You nervous?”
Logan’s eyes flicked toward him, but he didn’t answer.
He wasn’t sure what he felt. It wasn’t fear, but it was close. His hands hadn’t stopped clenching. His chest hadn’t settled.
Excitement? Maybe. Confusion? Definitely. He had killed for less than what Milo didst night. And yet, when Emery asked him to stop, he did. No questions. No argument. Just stopped.
Sebastian adjusted his cufflinks. “You said this is about the child. But I know you, Logan. You wouldn’t marry someone unless there was more to it.”
Logan turned back to the window. “You think I’m wrong?<b>” </b>
Sebastian let out a short breath. “I think if you believe she’s worth this, then she probably is. The rest of the world will catch upter. Or they won’t. But they’ll follow your lead. Because they always do.”
Logan stayed silent.
An hour. That’s all the time left.
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“I can’t believe you are really getting married,” Mary said, adjusting the edge of Emery’s veil with careful fingers.
Emery turned toward her grandmother, taking in the slightly glossy look in her eyes. She didn’t need to ask to know Mary was holding back tears.
“Grandma,” James said, crossing his arms. “Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup. It will reveal your age.”
Mary gave him a sharp look. “Stop ruining the mood.”
Emeryughed under her breath. Mary was right. The mood felt surreal. Like the quiet right before a storm. She looked down at herself again, at the gown, the veil, her hands resting lightly on herp. Even she couldn’t believe she was doing this.
She never dreamed of a wedding like this. Extravagant venues. Dozens of guests. Expensive dresses. None of that mattered to her growing up. All she wanted was a simple ceremony with the people she cared about. And now, somehow, they were here.
Her family was here. Her grandmother. Her brother. Nina.
The only thing she hadn’t imagined was marrying someone she barely knew. A man who, only weeks ago, was aplete stranger. It made her chuckle quietly. Maybe she was being sentimental. Maybe it was the hormones.
Mary stepped back and checked her watch. “It’s time. The ceremony is about to start. Everyone’s waiting.”
Emery nodded.
However, before Emery could take her grandmother’s arm, Mary reached into her purse and held out a small velvet box.
“It’s for you,” she said.
Emery took it slowly and opened the lid. Her breath caught.
Inside was a ne–a thin, delicate gold chain with a single, vivid ruby pendant. The gem was shaped like a teardrop, deep red, and polished to a perfect gleam. It almost looked like a drop of blood suspended in light, striking against the dark velvet background. The stone was framed in fine gold filigree, simple but wless, and the color matched her gown as if it had been designed for this moment.
Emery didn’t speak right away. She just stared at it, then looked at her grandmother. Mary gave a small nod.
“It was your mother’s,” she said. “She wore it the day she graduated from drama school. I thought you should have it today.”
“I didn’t know that –
“Shhh…” Mary smiled. “This is your wedding. Ask the questionster.”
Emery swallowed and gently lifted the ne from the box. It felt cool in her hand. She turned toward the mirror and sped it around her neck. The ruby settled just above her corbone, perfectly centered between
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the off–shoulder sleeves of her gown.
It fit like it belonged there.
Then after what felt like forever, she stood and took her grandmother’s arm. Mary held her steady. James moved to her other side, fidgeting with the cuffs of his suit. Nina trailed behind them, quietly fixing Emery’s train.
“You know,” James said, ncing over at her. “You could still run. I’ve got the car keys.”
“Not helpful James,” Nina muttered.
Emeryughed again. She squeezed Mary’s arm and started walking.
The hallway outside was quiet, the air still. Light from the chandeliers cast soft reflections on the marble floor. They moved slowly, each step measured. The soft rustle of her gown was the only sound between them.
When they reached the grand doors leading to the garden, a member of the staff stepped forward and quietly pushed them open.
Moonlight spilled through the opening, cool and pale. The soft glow washed over the path ahead, illuminating petals scattered along the aisle and casting silver highlights across the rows of white chairs.
At the end of it all stood the altar.
And just beyond it, standing beneath the arch framed by moonlight and shadows–was Logan, waiting.
AD