Chapter 281

Grace

A month later...

After the attack, the remaining members retreated into the cabinet to figure out what to do. After all, the other half and the president had been killed in the attack because they attacked Mooncrest. Luckily, Astarte had simply fixed everything, and aside from the aches and bruises, everything was fine.

It had take less than a week for Cecil to ask when we were getting married because she wanted to be a flower girl. I didn't want to wait until I was healed up to have the ceremony, but Charles had insisted for the sake of not having to stop on our honeymoon.

So here we were, a month after the attack and holding our wedding in the city square of Mooncrest.

I looked over at Eason.

He grinned, draped in a blue tuxedo made of what I was sure was witch or elven material, whatever that is. He held my bouquet and lounged in the chair.

"I'm really glad you're here."

"I would have been a shit guest at the last one."

I laughed. "Probably true. Have you heard anything?"

"Are you going to hold off on the politics until after your ceremony?" Eason asked. "I'm not opposed to telling on you."

"If the vote comes out during the ceremony, don't tell me."

My phone buzzed from within Eason's pocket. He pulled it out and sighed.

"The vote is in."

"And?" I asked, staring at him.

"They've decided to go with the reshuffle," he said, reading the message. "Based on the determination, Mooncrest officially has a seat on the Senate... along with a whole lot of others."

I grinned. "Really?"

He nodded. "Though, I'm not surprised. After the attack, everything that came out about those assholes was too damning."

True.

"You're going to stop worrying, right?"

"No."

Eason sighed and came up behind me. "He loves you. There's nothing to worry about... except for me embarrassing you at the reception."

I swatted at him. A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

Butterflies danced in my stomach as I stared at my reflection in the ornate mirror. The antique silver frame had been in the packhouse. Eason had it moved to the newly rebuilt City Hall. My vision blurred at the edges with nervous tears.

"You're lovely." Esme glided in. "Absolutely stunning."

A soft giggle broke through the nervous tension in the room. I looked over at Cecil as she played with the flowers in her basket.

"And what's so funny."

"Mommy, you're so silly. You can't get married to daddy without your crown!"

I smiled. "Why don't you get it for me, honey?"

She hopped up and rushed across the room. Her blue dress fluttered after her.

"I still say making us the something blue was the best idea," Amira said, grinning into the mirror.

Esme came up behind me with a string of sparkling gems to wrap around my neck.

"From me. Something borrowed," she declared with a wink, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Thank you," I whispered, the weight of the gems was comforting.

Cecil brought the crown to me, offering it to me. It was new as I couldn't wear the Lycan Queen's crown without swearing the oath.

Esme helped me put it on and pin it in place. I ran my thumb over the intricate gold bangle Astarte had given me as my something old.

I couldn't recognize myself in the mirror. I don't remember being this happy the last time I got married. This dress was worlds simpler than the ball gown I'd gotten married in before. I could pick out every silver hair and ever change, but I wouldn't change any of them.

I had come a long way since our first meeting. Now, here I was on the cusp of new beginnings.

A knock on the door drew our attention. Eason leaned out and whispered before turning back to me.

"Ready, bride?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

I smiled. "Ready."

He nodded and took Cecil's hand. She waved me goodbye and for a few moments, I was alone in the room. I turned to the door and walked out.

Ascher's eyes were glossy with tears. Gracian offered me my bouquet.

"You're beautiful, Grace," he murmured, his voice rough with unshed tears. "Just like your Mom had been on her wedding day..."

His words hit me like a physical blow, a bittersweet reminder of the woman who wouldn't be there to share this day with me.

"I debated carrying the rifle as something old."

Gracian laughed. "Not really your style, but she would approve."

Ascher offered his arm. "Shall we?"

I nodded and linked arms with him. "Any.... advice?"

Ascher took a deep breath and nodded.

"Let yourself go into this relationship... unburdened with the old one." He smiled. "He loves you."

I nodded. "Don't let me trip."

"I'll do my best."

With a shared laugh, we headed out the door.

Esme was there at the door, hanging back. Gracian stepped away from me and linked arms with her.

"We'll see you soon."

I nodded and watched them go. We stood in the foyer of the building. From where I stood, I could see Charles at the altar, but I was sure he couldn't see me. Still, I could feel his anticipation and eagerness.

Soon, the procession started. I watched Eason and Gregory walk down the aisle together and split. Astarte and Set were next, dressed completely in blue and gold, the both of them. Amira and Daniel were next.

Ascher squeezed my hand.

"Steady heart."

I nodded. I took a deep breath, the nervous flutters calming into a steady thrum of excitement.

"I'm good," I declared, a confident smile gracing my lips. I looked at Charles and the way he melted with Richard in his walker with the rings on the tray walk toward him with Cecil throwing blue petals as she walked.

He kneeled and hugged them both before getting them settled to sit with Amy and her twins.

Then, the bridal procession started. The crowd rose. The doors open and the warm air embraced us. Reporters took a million pictures, but all I could see was Charles and the soft silver light in his eyes.

A tremor of excitement ran through me as I stepped out of the ornate doorway and onto the long red carpet. The sky was clear. The streets had been scrubbed clean for this. All of Mooncrest had come to see this moment. The city square had been transformed to something out of a fairytale thanks to Astarte's coven.

A carpet of wildflowers – a vibrant tapestry of purples, blues, and yellows – blanketed the ground around the seating area. The simple white altar was adorned with cascading vines of blooming silver flowers.

Charles stood bathed in the warm afternoon sun, dressed as if he'd just stepped down from his throne. My breath hitched in my throat. He looked breathtaking, a vision of strength and gentleness in his kingly robes, all trimmed with gold. His gaze met mine. His smile could melt glaciers spread across his face. In that moment, the world around me faded away. It was just him and me, two souls about to embark on a journey of love and laughter.

The way he looked at me as if I was the whole world. I couldn't looked away.

I didn't want to.

I felt the last bits of my past disappearing on the wind. The mark on my chest pulsed. Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand we came to a stop at the foot of the altar. Ascher turned to me, kissing my forehead before handing me off to Charles. The warmth of his hand shot through me.

"Beautiful," he mouthed to me. Time seemed to slow, the murmur of the crowd fading into a distant hum, as he helped me up the steps to stand with him.

I don't know what the officiant said. I didn't care. I could feel everything that Charles said before he'd said it. The look in his eyes said he could feel the same from me.

Finally, the moment arrived.

"Charles, do you take Grace, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"

Charles's gaze held my gaze and drew me closer, cupping my hands in his and pressing a kiss to them.

"I do." He slipped a ring onto my hand.

When I was asked, I smiled at him and took the ring from Richard's little tray. I kissed his signet ring and slipped the wedding band onto his other hand.

"I do."

"By the power invested in me," the officiant said. "I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

A cheer erupted from the crowd as Charles cupped my face in his hands. Ouir eyes locked, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, slowly, Charles leaned in, his lips brushing softly against mine.

The kiss was filled with tenderness, a promise of a future built on love, trust, and unwavering devotion.

As we pulled apart, I laughed at the sparkling joy in his eyes. Charles joined me and he brought me back to another kiss as I felt Mooncrest challenge circle vanish.

"For as long as we have, I'm yours," he whispered.

I kissed him. "And I'm yours."

The End

It's been a great journey with you all. Thank you so much for reading and liking my story!

Yours,Aurora