Chapter 44
Bella
The day of the wedding finds me in a side room at St. Xavier’s. I’m wearing a white wedding dress with pink appliqué flowers and green vines decorating the skirt.
Out in the sanctuary, the organ starts playing.
“I think that’s our cue,” Elodie says. “I’ll go check.”
“I’m almost done,” Honey says, brushing the finishing touches onto my face. She did all our makeup.
“You look awesome,” Raine says.
“So do you.” Raine, in particular, looks great in the dark purple bridesmaid gown I chose. “Thanks for doing this. I know all this was last-minute.”
“Thank you for inviting us. I can’t believe you’re getting married the week after your house blew up,” Honey says.
“It’s fine. It was the New Rome house, not the one in Metropolis next to campus. That one just needs some remodeling.”
Honey shakes her head. “Girl, one day you’re going to tell me the whole story.”
“We need another sleepover,” Raine says. “I just need to get Ransom off my back.”
Ransom is her stepbrother. “Do you want me to poison him?”
“What?” Raine’s startled eyes meet mine in the mirror.
“It doesn’t have to be a deadly dose. Just incapacitate him a little. Make him sleep a lot.”
Raine just stares at me.
Honey sighs. “Bella, we talked about this. You can’t just go around poisoning people.”
“It’s just a little sleeping potion—” I protest.
“You could do that?” Raine interrupts.
“Don’t encourage her,” Honey says.
I nod. “Oh yes, I used all sorts of poisons on Kaiser, and it worked out fine.”
Honey gasps. “Fine? You said he found out and chased you through the house to punish you!”
“I know.” I waggle my brows at Raine, who looks more freaked out by the second. “It was great.”
“Thanks for the offer,” Raine says. “I’ll save it for plan B.”
“Anytime.” I grin at her in the mirror. “I’m here if you need me. Your friendly neighborhood venefica. We’re the Villaini, remember?”
“Right, I remember.” She grins back.“Do it for the plot.”
We both snicker, and then Raine heads out to wait with Elodie, leaving me alone with Honey.
“Thanks for doing this,” I say to Honey. I stroke the silver collar around my throat. “I know I haven’t always been a great friend.”
“You’re fine. I was just upset about Fraternitas banning me. They were always kinder to me than my own family, I just thought…”
I bite my lip, wondering if I should tell her what I learned. “About that. I learned something. Elodie actually told me after she figured it out. Fraternitas considers you under their protection.”
Her eyes are wide in the mirror. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. Elodie and Angel and I are going to try to find out.”
Raine rushes back. “It’s time. Elodie already went down the aisle. We have to go!”
Honey grabs my bouquet and hands it to me. “Ready!”
I hurry out just in time to see Angel march down the aisle. Raine and Honey line up to go next.
The only other person in the narthex is a short man in a skull mask. Papa, in disguise and waiting for me.
I notice he’s wearing his wedding ring again. He also has a boutonniere made of a rose with a few sprigs of lily of the valley. It matches my bouquet, although I’m also holding some belladonna blooms, too, and spikes of salvia divinorum. Gotta keep the husband on his toes.
“Papa.” I take his arm. “You ready?”
He sighs in a way that makes me think he’ll never be ready.
“I want this,” I remind him. “I want him.”
“All right, little flower.” We share a smile, and he escorts me to the entrance of the sanctuary. The scent of roses and lily of the valley hovers in the air.
The church is grand and filled with light. But all the light in the world can’t make the rows and rows of masked men look normal. This has got to be the creepiest wedding ever. Everyone on the groom’s side is wearing a skull mask.
I love it!
But after a few steps, all I can see is Kaiser. He’s in a white tux and his hair is shining like a crown. I know his brother is beside him. And Atticus, too.
But I can’t take my eyes off my betrothed.
Papa hands me off, and I face Kaiser, my head tilting back to take him in.
I never thought it’d come to this. I never thought I’d meet someone I’d want to spend my time with.
Father Francis clears his throat and starts the ceremony. Kaiser and I don’t really pay attention. We’re staring at each other, drinking the other in.
At one point, Father Francis has us join hands. Kaiser cups mine between his two huge palms.
“Respect,” he murmurs.
“Communion,” I whisper back. And we smile at each other.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
I reach for Kaiser, and he lets me touch him. He cups my face and I cup his, and then our lips touch and it’s amazing.
Everyone is cheering. Even Raine’s stern stepbrother, who glowered at her through the whole ceremony, is clapping.
Kaiser ends the kiss and drags his lips to my ear to whisper, “Tonight. Page 269.”
Shiver.
Father Francis spreads his arms, announcing to the audience, “It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Belladonna Bosco.” Kaiser told me he didn’t have a last name. So I gave him mine.
He collared me, I claimed him. We deserve each other.
We will never be alone again.