Chapter 204

[Evelyn’s POV]

Three months later...

My eyes slowly peered open. The sun was shining through the blinds in the room. Naturally, my hand reached across to the other side of the mattress, expecting to find Alexander lying beside me.

He wasn’t there.

I didn’t panic. In fact, his absence made me instantly remember the importance and significance of the day ahead.

“It’s bad luck to see the bride the day before the wedding,” Wendy had claimed.

Alexander and I, despite the notion that we were already married to one another, decided to play into the woman’s tradition. After all, what was one night apart when we had the rest of our lives to spend together?

Having spent endless evenings with Wendy and Nina, the day had finally come when I was to remarry Alexander.

“Today’s the day,” I whispered to myself.

Although it gave me a strong sense of déjà vu, I knew that today was going to be filled with a feeling of promise and love rather than uncertainty and worry. That morning when I was set to meet as well as marry Alexander felt like an entirely different lifetime ago.

Now, I was getting ready to marry the man that I knew and loved.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

A gentle knock on the door called for my attention. I got up from the bed and grabbed my robe.

“Come in,” I called.

Both Nina and Claire came into the room with matching smiles.

“Good morning, Evelyn,” Nina said. “Are you ready?”

“Oh, Nina, she’s far from ready,” Claire clicked her tongue. “I haven’t even gotten her into her dress yet.”

The dress Claire had designed this time around was slightly more intricate on account of her explaining that as the new Queen Luna, I needed to wear a dress befitting my new status. I tried to argue against it but I was instantly met with a scowl and a pointed look from Claire.

So, I let her make whatever alterations she wished and moved on to the next part of the planning. Now that all the threats were gone, I was able to properly give the event the attention it deserved.

I’d spent ongoing nights with Wendy, finalizing every possible detail. Meanwhile, Alexander extended his thoughts and opinions when it was truly necessary.

For the last several weeks, he and Oliver have been working endlessly to uncover and uproot all of Gregory’s operations. It took a lot longer than we would have liked it to but Alexander wasn’t willing to cut any corners.

While Claire helped me lace up the back of the dress, Nina was well underway with helping to pin my hair into place. Once the finishing touches were given to my makeup, Claire came over with a black velvet box.

“What’s that?” I asked.

A mischievous smile touched her lips as she spoke. “Alexander picked it out special for today.”

I lightly shook my head and carefully opened the top of the box. My breath caught in my lungs as I gazed down at the most stunning diamond and pearl necklace I had ever seen. With it, was a matching pair of earrings that completed the set.

“It’s beautiful.”

“They once belonged to his mother,” Nina said. “They were kept with Wendy for safekeeping all these years. Now it’s time for them to finally be passed on to a new owner.”

Goddamnit, I am not about to cry!

Nina placed the necklace around my neck while I placed on the earrings. Having slipped into my shoes, I knew that I was ready... And I was nervous.

I couldn’t believe my childhood dream of marrying the man that I loved was actually coming true. Months ago, I had believed the idea was nothing more than a whimsical, childish fantasy. But that it was actually happening was almost too impossible to believe.

There again, I wasn’t the same person I was all those months ago. Between the skills I’d learned, the scars I sustained, and the new family I had, I was very much different.

I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The three of us stepped out of the bedroom and began making our way toward the back gardens of the manor. Even though Alexander and I were expected to reside at the palace, I was insistent that we stay at Kingston Hall for short periods of time.

This place was home. My home. The one I had grown to love slowly but surely. Of course, Oliver and Alexander had offered to have my plants moved to the palace conservatory so that I wouldn’t have to be away from my work.

It was a tempting offer, one that I would eventually crack down on. But for now, I was happy to keep everything as it was.

Edward was waiting patiently by the back stained-glass doors. He looked handsome as ever in his dark grey tux and above all else—healthy.

When he turned to see me, his features softened. “Wow, Eve. You look beautiful,” he said. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” I said wistfully.

He offered me the crook of his arm which I graciously took a hold of. Suddenly, the music began and the two of us began our journey down the flower petal-made aisle. Our father—Leonard was in attendance, but I specifically requested for Edwrd to be the one to walk me to the altar.

Our relationship with our father was still in its recovery period. Today was about Alexander and me. I wasn’t about to create any issues or awkwardness.

I slowly lifted my gaze up from the ground. There. There I saw the beautifully decorated gardens and small platform stage. There I saw Wendy and Oliver—even Erik and Thomas were standing close by. But what truly stopped my heart for a few seconds was the sheer sight of Alexander.

He looked completely ethereal dressed in his tux. His hair was partly slicked back and his eyes were gleaming with unspoken happiness. And dare I say tears?

When we reached the end, my brother kissed my cheeks and handed me to Alexander.

“Hello, wife,” he whispered.

My cheeks flushed under his appraising look. “Hello, husband.”

The officiant began the ceremony and my eyes never strayed from Alexander’s. When it came time to exchange our vows, I fought back the urge to let all of my tears fall from my eyes.

“Evelyn, my sweet, perfect Luna, you first stumbled into my life with a defiance and determination that captured my attention almost instantly. Your loyalty to your true family never faltered. And your ability to love someone as difficult and stubborn as me goes beyond anything I could ever dream to imagine,” he went on. “I was convinced that I never needed a Luna in my life. I believed myself too capable and independent. But you turned out to be so much more than that. Through all the trials and tribulations—all the enemies, I came to discover that you were really the one saving me from my own foolishness.”

I stifled a cry and bit down on my composure. My throat grew tight.

“You took the broken pieces in my life and found a way to seal them back together again. For that, I will never be able to thank you enough for it. There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not thankful for the fact that you hadn’t run away from the altar all those months back.”

My heart swelled in my chest.

“Alexander,” I whispered. “You’ve given me so much more than a ring. You gave me things I never really knew I was missing. A family. A real home. A love that I fully prepared to give up on but you somehow made possible. You’ve saved me from countless dangers, even from the darkest parts myself. For that, I will always love you.”

The emotions hung heavily in the air. The officiant gave a final nod. “I now pronounce you man and wife,” he said. “You may kiss the bride.”

Alexander snaked an arm around my waist and pulled me in close. I pushed myself onto my toes to capture his lips.

I was home. I was loved. I was complete. Who knew I would have found myself feeling such a way in the arms of War God?

The End.