CHAPTER 21AureliaLevi
Aurelia
Aurelia scrutinized the courtroom as Estrella walked them through the final steps of the prenup and marriage certificate. For something so procedural, the room was surprisingly beautiful and intimate, precisely as she had requested.
Bouquets of ivory and white flowers were arranged in clusters throughout the room, softening the air with their delicate fragrance. It almost made her forget why she was so annoyed walking in.
Almost.
The guest list was sparse, with herself, Levi, both attorneys, Estrella, and she assumed, his friend officiating, and a court clerk.
That’s it. Just enough people to make it real.
She couldn’t tell anyone about the mandatory wedding clause or of the inheritance itself, but Aurelia still wished Selene could have been there with her anyway.
Seeing someone she knew and trusted would have made it feel less stifling and clinical.
She snuck a glance at Levi and her scowl deepened.
Even she had to begrudgingly admit that he was gorgeous.
Dressed in a tailored navy suit and ivory shirt, his paisley tie in deep greens and blues brought everything together. A single white boutonniere sat on his lapel, right over the broad chest that filled his jacket far too well for her peace of mind.
He stood almost half a foot taller than her despite wearing heels.
Wavy, expertly styled mahogany hair framed his striking face.
But it was his eyes—vivid green and startlingly clear—that caught her attention the second she entered the room.
They focused on her with such intensity, that she almost flinched, not used to someone seeing past her defenses.
His chiseled jawline, high cheekbones, and confident posture made him look both refined and rugged. Damn it , she thought. At least Estrella got one thing right.
Aurelia realized she was staring…and that Levi had noticed.
He rotated fully toward her then, catching her gaze with a small, unreadable smile. Embarrassment flared across her face as her cheeks warmed. She quickly looked away, searching for some kind of distraction…or maybe a hole to crawl into.
As if on cue, Estrella interrupted the moment by handing her a beautiful bridal bouquet.
Aurelia paused. Her arms had been crossed over her chest in defense for most of the ceremony prep. But slowly, she uncrossed them and took the bouquet, the weight of it bringing her back to reality.
Estrella quietly stepped aside and lifted her camera.
With nothing left to delay the ceremony, Aurelia looked up at Levi. The playfulness in his smile had faded. In its place, there was something quieter, uncertain, even. Vulnerable.
He was as nervous as she was.
The realization settled her. She inhaled deeply, closing her eyes as she slowly let it out. When she opened them again, her gaze found his.
Holding it, she said calmly, despite her racing heart, “Let’s get this over with.”
Levi
Owen’s expression screamed, You are so screwed , when Levi finally glanced his way. He was enjoying this way too much.
And yes, Levi was absolutely screwed.
The ceremony was set before a simple wooden bench surrounded by extravagant white and cream floral arrangements. Through the windows behind it, the blue sky stretched above lush hills and a distant lagoon.
Owen stood tall and smug, waiting for them to step forward. When they did, he immediately turned his full attention to Aurelia and extended his hand with an infuriating feline smirk.
She hesitated before taking it.
Instead of shaking, he kissed the back of her hand and said, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Owen Voss, Levi’s favorite best friend, and, unfortunately for him, your officiant. I can’t wait to tell you all his embarrassing secrets. We’re going to be besties.”
Aurelia huffed an unexpected laugh. Behind them, Levi glared at Owen.
“This is exactly why I said it was a bad idea for you to be here,” Levi muttered.
“I’m creating core memories,” Owen replied, deadpan, and gestured for them to face each other. With a flourish, he placed Aurelia’s hand into Levi’s, and Levi was momentarily startled by the warmth of her touch that rushed through him.
So much so that he didn’t realize Estrella had snapped a photo before taking Aurelia’s bouquet. He shook off the strange sense of awareness and tried to focus on the ceremony, only to be distracted by Aurelia’s wide eyes as she stared at their joined hands.
Once they were ready, Owen began.
“We gather here today to witness the union of Levi Lockwood and Aurelia Douro. A marriage built on science, a million questionnaires, and…” he slid a side glance at Aurelia, “…hopefully, a very thorough background check.”
Her brows shot up.
Levi considered smothering Owen with one of the floral arrangements then and there, witnesses be damned.
“May your foundation be friendship, trust, love, frequent laughter…and an abundance of babies.”
Jaw clenched, Levi stared ahead, too stressed out by his friend to make eye contact with her.
“The promises you make today are not just ceremonial but a lasting and very legally binding agreement. Marriage is built on commitment, mutual support, and,” Owen added with a wink, “the frequent and thorough ravishing of one another.”
Aurelia choked on a breath.
Levi was another step closer to murdering him in broad daylight.
He didn’t need to look at her to feel the heat of embarrassment radiating from her entire being. But when he finally risked a peek, her cheeks were crimson, and her wide eyes filled with stunned disbelief.
“Levi Lockwood,” Owen pressed on, “do you take the stunning, vivacious Aurelia Douro to be your wife, to treat her with respect, worship the ground she walks on, deliver said ravishing promptly, and commit to building a life together?”
Owen looked expectantly at Levi with absolutely zero remorse, eyes dancing.
Despite it all, Levi couldn’t help himself, and with a lopsided smile, said, “Yes, I do…particularly the ravishing.”
Why the hell did I say that?
Aurelia’s blush deepened. Her eyes narrowed…and not in a good way.
“And you, Aurelia Douro, do you take the brooding, virile Levi Lockwood to be your husband, to treat him with respect, keep him in check when he gets surly, demand the ravishing you are owed, and build a marriage that grows with time?”
Levi held his breath, praying she didn’t change her mind.
“Yes, I do,” she said softly, nervous but steady.
Relief crashed over him.
“Rings,” Owen declared cheerfully.
Levi pulled the rings he commissioned from his pocket.
In his extended palm lay a turquoise cabochon engagement ring encircled with fire diamond accents and wrapped in golden vines, paired with a wedding band echoing the design.
While nontraditional, they were delicate, detailed, earthy, and in retrospect… exactly her.
Owen guided them through the vows. Levi slid the rings onto her finger, repeating, “I give you these rings as a symbol of my commitment and devotion, as we join our lives together today, tomorrow, and however many days Fate gives us beyond that.”
Aurelia inhaled sharply, wordlessly staring at her hand.
Estrella passed her Levi’s ring. His band was broader but shared the same organic, vine-like style with turquoise and diamond accents. A perfect match.
Aurelia’s hands trembled as she unenthusiastically repeated her vows and slid the band onto his finger. He couldn’t blame her; this entire experience was the opposite of how he expected to feel on the day of his wedding.
For a long moment, they stood in silence, looking at one another apprehensively.
Owen naturally broke the spell. “Marriage is more than legalities. It’s a promise to show up for one another.
On the best days, the worst days, and the utterly chaotic days.
May you discover the missing pieces of yourselves in each other.
And hopefully, populate the world with an entire brood of children. ”
Oh, for shit’s sake…
Levi sighed loudly and shot him a pointed glare. Owen really couldn’t stop and be normal for once. Judging by the cheeky grin he threw back at Levi, Owen didn’t care either.
“By the power vested in me by the Joia City Clerk’s Office, who graciously approved my online officiant application only this morning,” he blew a kiss in the court clerk’s direction, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share your first public kiss as a couple.”
Owen gleefully pulled out his phone.
All the oxygen was sucked from his lungs. Of all the moments Levi had mentally rehearsed, this wasn’t one of them.
He turned toward Aurelia…right when panic began to bloom across her face.