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The sound of the violin drifted through the garden, soft and slow. Emery stood beneath the arch, her hands cold but steady in Logan’s.
The ceremony had begun minutes ago, but it already felt like a blur. Her heart thudded behind her ribs, steady but sharp. This was the first time in her 28 years of being alive that she actually felt this nervous!
The minister stood in front of them, a tall man with gray at his temples and a deep line between his brows. His voice carried clearly under the moonlit sky.
“Emery Bernadette Vaughn–Bet,” he said, pausing slightly as he looked up from the script. “Do you ept Logan Nius Hayes as yourwful husband? To stand with him through the unknown, to trust what is not yet understood, and to walk forward together, no matter the path?”
Emery blinked, her eyes lifting to meet Logan’s.
His eyes caught the light. Gold, clear, and striking. They looked like some impossible reflection of the full moon above them–not soft, not warm, but steady. Bright.
Perfect.
She didn’t look away. “I ept.”
The minister nodded and turned. “Logan Nius Hayes,” he continued. “Do you ept Emery Bernadette Vaughn–Bet as yourwful wife? To guard her, trust her, and build beside her what others might not understand? To make her safety your promise, and her life your vow?”
Logan didn’t hesitate. “I ept.”
The wind picked up slightly, brushing past the arch and lifting the edge of her veil.
“Then you will exchange your vows,” the minister said.
Emery took a breath. Her voice didn’t tremble. “I don’t know what this is going to be,” she said. “But I know what it isn’t. It’s not a lie. It’s not a trick. We both chose this. So whateveres next–I’m not turning away. I’ll walk with you. Even if I don’t always understand where we’re going.”
She paused. “I can do that much.”
Logan looked at her, then shifted his grip slightly, holding her hands tighter.
“I have seen loyalty in war, and betrayal in peace,” he said. “I’ve learned the world isn’t built on fairness. But it can be rebuilt on choice. You made yours. And now I make mine. I will protect you. And what we created. No matter what it costs.”
The minister nodded once. “By the light of this moon, and by the presence of those who bear witness, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Emery didn’t move.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Logan didn’t wait.
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He leaned in, one hand steadying her back as the other lifted her veil. Emery’s breath caught the moment before his lips met hers.
There was no hesitation. No question.
Only silence and the sound of the garden around them—and the press of his mouth to hers.
Not rushed. Not slow.
Real.
And then it was done.
They pulled back. The crowd stood. Apuse echoed lightly around them.
But Emery barely heard it.
Her eyes were still on Logan.
She thought time would slow. That the moment would freeze like it always did in movies–where the kisssted forever and the world blurred into soft light and music. But it didn’t.
It went too fast.
One second she was looking at him, the press of his mouth still fresh against hers, and the next–people were already pping. Someone in the crowd whistled. Nina was probably crying. Her grandmother had a hand over her chest.
But Emery didn’t look at them. She couldn’t.
Logan hadn’t moved far. His hand still rested at her back, warm and steady. Her fingers were still wrapped around his. The ruby ne shifted slightly with her breath, the only sign that anything in her body was moving at all.
Her chest felt tight. Not with panic. Just… full.
She didn’t understand it.
She hadn’t imagined it would feel like this. Not exactly joy. Not fear either. Something in between. Something heavy. Her body knew it mattered before her mind could exin why.
Then, suddenly, people were approaching. The minister stepped aside. Nina came up to hug her. James pped Logan on the shoulder. Faces blurred together. sses were passed around, and someone called for the first dance.
The next thing Emery knew, her veil had been unfastened and her hand was in Logan’s again.
The music started. Low and steady.
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They stepped onto the stone floorid out beneath strings of pale lights. The moon overhead still glowed, casting soft silver over the dance floor. Chairs had been moved, and everyone had formed a wide circle around them.
Emery ced her hand against Logan’s shoulder. His arm slid around her waist.
It was only them now.
The first few steps were slow. Familiar. He was steady. She followed easily.
“You okay?” he asked.
She looked up at him.
“I think so,” she said. “Are you?”
Logan’s jaw flexed slightly. “No idea.”
That made her smile. She looked down at their hands, then back up again.
“This feels… fast,” she admitted.
“It is,” Logan said. “But you still walked down the aisle.”
“Yeah. I did.”
The music carried them through the slow rhythm. Emery let herself focus only on the steps, the movement, the feel of his hand on her back.
For now, that was enough.
Whatever came next–she’d think about that tomorrow.
The next thing she knew, they were alone.
The garden behind them was quiet now, theughter and music long faded. Emery had changed into a different dress–a simple white sundress that brushed her knees when she walked. The satin gown was folded and put away. Logan had changed too. His formal suit was gone. He wore a loose white shirt and matching shorts. Comfortable<i>. </i>Barefoot, like her.
They walked side by side, the gravel crunching lightly under their steps.
There was ake. She hadn’t even known it existed. From her room, it had been out of sight–blocked by trees and the slope of the vineyard. But here, up close, it stretched out wide, still, and smooth under the full moon. The surface reflected the silver light above, almost like a second skyid across the water.
It was peaceful. Strange, but peaceful.
“If I didn’t know better,” she said, “I’d think we left the world entirely.”
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Logan didn’t answer right away. He nced over at her as they walked.
“You’re not tired?<b>” </b>
She looked up at him. “Would you believe me if I told you I’m not?”
He studied her face for a second, then gave a short nod. “Yes.”
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She didn’t press. Whatever passed through his eyes, she couldn’t name it. But it made her stomach feel tight.
They stopped by the edge of the water. A breeze moved through the trees, soft and cold. She crossed her arms, just slightly.
And then it came.
A howl.
Loud. Long. Sharp.
It pierced the silence of the night like a crack through ss. Emery flinched. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach.
The sound wasn’t close–but it wasn’t far either. It echoed through the forest line, then faded into the hills.
She turned to Logan. “Was that-”
“Yes,” he said before she finished.
She searched his face. “Is that normal?<b>” </b>
Logan didn’t move for a moment. He kept his eyes toward the tree line.
“No,” he said.
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