25. My saving grace
Harvey
S ince before the sun came up, I’ve been running around the kingdom like a headless chicken to ensure everything is perfect.
It’s a special day for Grace, and I refuse to let anything or anyone mess it up.
My mood tanks when I remember how I probably won’t see her again until we are standing at the altar. Grace didn’t spend last night beside me due to some stupid custom... which is why I slept like shit and now I’m biting people’s heads off.
*splash*
As I pass the kitchen the sound of something dropping makes me stop dead in my tracks. I almost slip and ruin my face before my wedding, running down the stairs in a hurry.
Please Fates, let it be something completely unrelated to the wedding. Flashes of an Asian man-child hovering around the kitchen comes to mind. The amount of dessert stocked in that kitchen and its easy access to Seiji makes me run faster.
Standing on the threshold, I feel it in my bones that the moment I throw this door open, it would be my tipping point.
Taking a second to fill my lungs to the brim, I link Anxo and the others to meet me in the kitchen if they don’t want me to kill their Prince of Famine. Someone will have to clean up the blood I’ll be spilling.
The wedding cake.
My wedding cake ... is on the floor.
Seiji fucking Nakaya.
Blinded with rage, I’m ready to pounce but freeze when August peaks out from behind Seiji’s legs.
Damn it. One glance at the toddler with his big blue eyes and mouth covered in cake and the need to reprimand someone flies right out the window.
Why does he have to be so fucking cute?
Anxo rushes in with the others, and fortunately, no one is dressed up, so at least I won’t feel bad about ruining their clothes with Seiji’s blood.
The moment Anxo’s eyes land on the cake—the same cake my darling was so excited about, he cautiously nudges Grace into my arms, knowing I’m seconds away from murdering our future Famine.
It will be fine. I’ve heard Akihiko and Yua are thinking about having another baby. There’s no way the next one will be as bad as Seiji, so I’ll be doing the whole kingdom a favor anyway.
“I didn’t do it, you guys!”
It’s a stupid thing to say when both culprits have cake-dipped spoons clutched in their hands, and chocolate smudged around their mouths.
Facing my blank stare, Seiji sighs in defeat. “Okay, I might have something to do with it. But we just wanted a little taste, and it fell all on its own. I swear on Fates… ask August.”
The little doe-eyed werewolf nods vigorously, hiding the spoon behind him. I see so much of Nevaeh in this kid that it’s truly terrifying to think what our future holds with the two of them.
My Divine inches closer to the surface. When I feel my control slipping, I turn to my mate. “I want to kill him.”
“It’s okay, baby.”
“No, it's not. Now, there’s no cake. I wanted this day to be perfect for you and look what happened.”
Cupping my face in her dainty palms, she brings my face down to her. “It’s still perfect. I’m meeting you at the altar, and that’s the most important thing.”
Like her, I try to focus on the good, but my eyes keep drifting back to the ruined cake. I can’t relax until I figure out how to find a new cake in the next hour.
Grace pushes at my chest lightly and walks over to the fridge. Not being in my arms is a horrible idea if she expects me to behave.
My head is reeling with scenarios of how upset my mate will be when our wedding reception tanks that I don’t focus on what she’s doing. Out of everything, I never expected her to pull out a two-tier cake and carefully place it on the counter’s far end so there was no chance of it accidentally falling again.
Smiling cheerfully, she gestures to the cake. “I knew you would overstress yourself if something went wrong today, so I arranged two of all the important things.”
This woman is my miracle. Once again, she proves my fears are nothing compared to her determination to stand by me.
My saving grace.
Pulling her closer, I capture her sweet lips in a searing kiss. “Do you know how enamored I am with you?”
“Mhm, you tell me at least twice a day.”
I peck her lips again. “Not nearly enough. I’m going to double it from today.”
“So…”
If Seiji thinks I won’t make him pay for almost giving me a heart attack on my wedding day and ruining this for Grace, the man is delusional.
“Yes, you can eat that cake, but only the parts not touching the floor and get a plate, for God’s sake.” Before Grace even finishes her sentence, both kids dive into the top part of the cake.
My bride smiles at the idiots before wrapping a napkin around the front of August’s suit so he wouldn’t ruin his cute little maroon velvet suit.
I’m going to fill her up with a baby as soon as we’re alone tonight.
After Nevaeh asks Khatri to keep an eye on her little boy and the big idiot, Anxo drags me out to get ready before the guests arrive. The girls quickly steal my mate, so I have no choice but to follow him.
Placing my suit next to me, Anxo runs out to get ready, telling me to do the same. Instead of doing what I should be doing, I sit on my bed thinking of everything that could go wrong and spiraling down a rabbit hole.
What if I act like an idiot and Grace figures out my good looks are just on the outside and on the inside, I’m nothing but a pile of garbage?
Wait—I think she knows that already.
Why else would she say yes when I proposed if she didn’t want me or had doubts about us?
Anxo comes back in a black suit with golden embroidery and finds me sitting like a statue, still in my sweats and sweating about ruining my own day.
Instead of hurrying or pushing me to talk, he sits beside me quietly and waits until I’m ready to stop spiraling and voice my fears.
I know he can tell I’m shitting myself because, let’s be honest, Anxo always knows .
Ever since we met, Anxo has hovered over me like an older brother when I’m actually the older one. He has made sure I’m more than prepared, whether it’s my duties as a Horseman or my relationship with the light of my life.
“What if I’m not good enough for her? What if I’m holding her back from being genuinely happy? What if being with me makes her an even bigger target for my enemies, and I fail to protect her? There are so many ways I can fuck up Anxo.” I bury my head in my hands when the room starts spinning.
I think I’m going to be sick.
“What if you don’t?” I scoff when the man finally says something, and it’s not even good advice. The one day I need this asshole to give me a big speech to boost my confidence, he’s giving me the stupidest advice.
What if I don’t fuck up? What a load of bullshit.
“What if you make her smile every day and keep trying your best so that smile never dims? What if you protect her from the world while protecting your relationship from the doubts threatening to destroy your bond? What if you don’t fuck up?”
Huh .
Why am I only focusing on what I could do wrong when I have so much more to offer? I’ve craved someone to love all my life, and now that I have the perfect woman to share my life with, why am I only fixating on ruining it? I would rather hurt myself than hurt my little human.
My eyes stay glued to Anxo and sting when I let myself imagine his version of my life.
“I want to give her everything her heart wants.”
Chuckling like I said something funny, he nudges my shoulder. “Then it’s a good thing you’re marrying her today because the only thing her heart wants is you .”
I lean my head on his shoulder when his arm pulls me in for a side hug. With a shaky chuckle, I breathe out and compose myself.
Nevaeh might be onto something. I am a dumbass . Why else am I sitting here and sulking when my mate is waiting for me to show up at the altar?
Abruptly Seiji barges in, screaming at the top of his lungs, “What the fuck are you doing? It’s too late to change your bride, Harvey! Nevaeh will skin you alive if you steal Anxo from her. Grace is your only option. Go. Change.” He yanks me up before chucking my suit at me.
“Where’s my flower and ring boy?”
August flies into the room holding a small basket of Grace’s favorite flowers and pats the small pockets of his suit to show where the rings are. The determination on his face doesn’t surprise me. He is the most dedicated to this wedding after Grace and me.
August had an opinion about everything .
The cake, the flowers, the dress my mate chose. He all but threw a tantrum to stop me from getting the plain black suit I wanted because it wasn’t unique enough .
It was a long process, but we finally agreed on one which despite being all black, had strings of ruby-red stones embroidered on the sleeves.
When I saw the little werewolf and Seiji high-five in ‘secret’, I knew my torture was pre-planned. I never really had a choice.
Standing on the stage waiting for my bride is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Seiji’s dad, who is officiating the ceremony, gives me the ‘before I do’ talk to ease my nerves, which helps immensely.
Seiji decorated the entire Castle of War for this day. I can’t name half the flowers he used to decorate the back garden facing the waterfall. The rushing body of water surely helps create a more magical atmosphere.
Before me, the chairs divided into two sections are filled, and the guests are equally eager for my bride to walk in.
An unfamiliar soft melody starts playing, and I glance to my right to see two centaurs playing harps to announce the first duo walking the long path.
A thick forest-green suit adorns Seiji. The lower part of the jacket is pinned with numerous gold accessories. I don’t think this man has ever had a bad outfit day.
Beside him is my close friend, or as people call her— my soul twin .
Hazel is a vision in a teal silk jumpsuit that flares around her calves. The shimmering material has a delicate silver chain on her waist, which I bet holds at least two of her daggers.
Giving me a rare warm smile, Hazel takes her place beside me as one of my Groomswomen , while Seiji takes a stand on Grace’s side as one of the Bridesmen .
Don’t get me started on the titles. It was a long, excruciating debate before everyone settled on these.
Next, my best friend and her mate walk down the aisle hand in hand, making everyone stare at the stunning couple with green monsters over their shoulders. I don’t remember a single day where these two haven’t matched or coordinated outfits .
Nevaeh strides to me in a black jumpsuit with sparkling gold stitching from her neck to the waist and a sheer black cape draped around her shoulders. When my eyes catch the poorly healed scars on her arms, just like every eye here, I clear my throat to get rid of the tightening sensation.
When Grace designed these attires, I suggested adding sleeves, but she shook her head with a smile and said this way, Nevaeh would be able to flaunt her strength if she ever felt ready. And until then, the cape would hide her scars while also making her look chic —as Grace called it.
Taking in the sheer black cape, I’m stunned at the realization that today is the day she has decided to not care about the judging eyes.
She’s not bound by her scars anymore.
Once Anxo helps his mate onto the stage, he kisses her head before running back to the start of the aisle, making everyone laugh at his rush. My best friend takes her designated spot next to me, and I bend to kiss her cheek.
Nevaeh grabs my hand and squeezes, knowing I’m a moment away from breaking.
I remember how hard it was for Grace to finally admit that her dad wouldn’t be walking her down the aisle. I think the fear of walking down this path alone is what made things worse.
Anxo solved that dilemma effortlessly by asking Grace if she wanted him to match his suit with her dress so they looked aesthetic walking down the aisle together.
That man is always on top of things. His ability to stay ten steps ahead of everything and everyone is sometimes so fucking creepy.
Grace was over the moon by the gesture, and it took us twenty minutes to stop her tears. Thoughts about how I really soothed my mate fly out the window when the most adorable mini werewolf walks down the aisle in slow, careful steps.
August refuses to take the next step until he’s sure there are enough petals for Grace to walk on as she follows behind him .
I’m definitely begging Grace to give me my own August.
My eyes search for my solace, and the second they find my jittery mate walking down the aisle with Anxo supporting her, it’s like the world around me stops existing.
The large, flowy ball gown drags behind her. Even when the fabric is bulky, I can see how incredibly light it is, and I don’t have to worry about Grace feeling weighed down by it.
Nevaeh gave me so much shit for being ‘a softy’ when I kept asking if what my mate was wearing was comfortable. Once I got my answer, I let it slip to Hazel how Nevaeh has become oddly fond of chilled soda these days.
Tit for tat monkey.
Seeing my beautiful bride, I understand why August was adamant about this suit. Grace is adorned in the exact shade of red as the rubies embroidered in my suit.
The thin off-shoulder straps fall to her smooth honey-brown shoulders, and I internally curse myself for not leaving a trail of love bites along her slender neck.
She’s marrying you, dumb fucker. The world already knows she’s yours.
“How are you feeling now?” Seiji’s dad pats my shoulder from behind.
“Like I’m the luckiest man alive.” I barely hide my voice breaking, but when Grace smiles at me with those warm caramel eyes, a tear falls on my cheek anyway. She shakes her head with a soft smile, and I keep staring at her like a lovesick fool.
This is the first time I’ve seen Grace in a dark color. She usually prefers cool pastels, but after tonight, I’ll try to convince her to let me see her in red more often.
The second she is close enough, I step in to help her onto the stage and ignore Anxo standing beside her, giving me the side eye. The feel of her soft hand in mine finally helps ease the tight knot in my stomach.
“Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of The sisters of Fate to witness and bless the joining of this man and this woman in their soul linking for eternity. The bond…”
Lost in her eyes and beautiful smile that gets brighter as the ceremony proceeds, I completely zone out of what’s happening around me. I could’ve missed the whole fucking thing if my eyes didn’t stop drinking her in, but when she tugs on my hands and chuckles, I turn my focus back on the ceremony.
“I take it you have your own vows?”
We both nod, and Horseman Nakaya asks Grace to go first. I can’t help the flash of panic at that.
What if she says all the perfect things, and when it’s my turn, I spew some nonsense instead of what took me weeks to prepare? My rapid thoughts come to a halt at her soft voice.
“Harvey Adler, you’ve mesmerized me since I first saw you. A part of my heart clicked in place as if it always knew I was supposed to find you, even when my mind didn’t believe it. You’ve held my soul in your hands since the first time we talked, and you didn’t dare blink in fear you might miss something.” I duck bashfully.
And here I thought I was being cool about it.
“You became my whole life from the first time we touched, and my heart found its home the moment my eyes met your stormy ones. I promise to be by your side, storm comes sun . To keep your worries locked away and to pour all my sunshine into your life.”
I lightly wipe the tears from her cheek, making sure not to ruin her perfectly applied makeup.
Before my doubts hinder our moment, she brings my knuckles to her lips for a kiss—knuckles that are covered in tattoos that hide my deepest scars. I promise myself that one day, I will have the same faith in myself that she has in me.
With a shuddering breath, I try to put my heart into my words. “Grace Blackburn. My mate .” The ache in my heart simmers down at her encouraging smile. “I’ve put on a brave face in front of the world most of my life. Showing no weakness, keeping everyone at arm’s length so they don't find out how broken I am. ”
Grace shakes her head, and I can practically hear her telling me not to let my mind bully me.
“But with you, I feel like I have a place… a place to hide from everything and just be. A place to let my mask fall. A place where I can sort my disoriented thoughts with no judgment. I can hide in your arms without worrying about someone stabbing my back because I know you’ll always look out for me. Save me... even from myself.”
With all my sincerity, I vow to her. “I promise to be the person who helps you grow, hold you up when you feel beaten down, to love you with every broken piece of my being.”
“ Ah fuck .”
Snapping my head to the voice, I watch Hazel turn to hide her face and grumble about ‘our sappy vows messing with her head’. The guests snicker before awing in sync when August runs to her with a handkerchief held out.
This kid has single-handedly given everyone baby fever.
Clearing his throat, Horseman Nakaya steals our attention again. “Grace Blackburn, will you have this man to be your husband? To live with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health? And, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
“Harvey Adler, will you have this woman to be your wife? To live with her in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, be faithful unto her as long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
Scanning the audience Akihiko warns, “If anyone attending has an objection to this union, meet me after the ceremony, and I will personally take care of you.”
A roar of laughter echoes above the sound of the waterfall. I’m thankful for these moments of humor, otherwise, one or both of us would’ve sobbed through the entire ceremony .
“Let’s see the rings!”
August comes to stand before us with a bright smile and two boxes clutched in his hands. Grace bends to kiss his chubby cheeks, which August assists by standing on his tiptoes so she doesn’t have to bend too far.
After his final task is complete, August beams with joy and runs to his dad, who picks him up and kisses his head for a job well done.
Horsemen Famine guides Grace to repeat the words while sliding the ring on my finger. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you in the name of the All-knowing Fates and our Divine spirit,” I repeat the words before slipping the ring on her finger and kissing her hand.
“With the power invested in me by Fates, I announce them husband and wife. You may kiss the bride... and he has already started .”
Our guests cheer when I don’t wait to grab my bride by her waist and smash our lips together. Holding her soft cheeks, I kiss her until we are breathless, and Seiji is begging us not to act like horndogs in front of the entire supernatural world.
With a bright smile on her face that I feel myself mirroring, Grace and I make our way to the ballroom hand in hand for our reception/coronation.
Unlike the garden outside, which had a fairy tale theme, Seiji didn’t restrict himself when it came to the reception/coronation. The massive ballroom sparkles with flowers, lights, and fire . I’m sure he had fun with this darker aesthetic.
My only concern is if Grace likes it, but when I watch her mouth drop open, I have to remind myself that we still have another ceremony to go through. I think about anything other than how much I want to run my fingers through the tight curls flowing down her back. How I'll slowly take out all the glimmering clips before— Okay, the bedroom will have to wait.
Soon enough, the ballroom is filled with supernatural allies who wish my wife and me a long happy life together before mingling around, filling themselves with the special brew our earth fairies came up with.
I’m disappointed that the King of Hell, couldn’t make it because of a ‘Heaven emergency’, but the shiny enchanted sword he sent with a letter promising a visit soon, almost makes up for it.
Once everyone has a drink in hand and is twirling around to a soft melody, Anxo decides it’s the best time for the second big announcement.
“I know everyone is anxiously anticipating the second big event of the day—I can hear you all complaining, you know.” Chuckles follow his words. “So, without waiting another moment, let’s get to it. Harvey, join me on the stage, brother.”
Turning to my mate, who already knows I’m thinking about bolting, she kisses me fiercely and whispers a few things I definitely mind sharing. Grace knows exactly how to make my nerves run along like little bitches.
I walk to the stage with renewed confidence, thinking about the promise I’m going to collect later tonight.
“Are you able and willing to take the blood oath?”
“I am.”
Satisfied with my answer, Anxo picks up the ceremonial dagger, which is polished to perfection. From the corner of my eye, I see Hazel practically salivating over the weapon. A crystal bowl sits on the center of the table as Anxo and I stand on opposite sides with our side profiles facing the audience.
The only question lingering in the air and sticking to my doubts is if the Fates see me worthy. Because if they don’t, this would be so fucking embarrassing. I haven’t been around for long, but that doesn’t mean anyone is more worthy of being the next War than I am.
Anxo gestures for my hand, and I prepare for when he will slash my palm open. To my surprise, he only nicks my index finger before guiding it directly on top of the War family ring proudly sitting in the center of the bowl.
A single drop of blood falls from my finger and directly on top of the ring, and before my eyes, the ring absorbs it completely.
The ruby smoke inside the crystal ring comes to life, glimmering like a fiery blast of unstoppable fire. The scarlet entirely takes over the white crystal of the ring.
Anxo wipes the dagger with a neatly placed napkin and asks for my hand again. Carefully—trying his best not to dig any deeper than necessary, Anxo cuts a line on the index finger of my right hand before turning my palm and doing the same. The cut looks like a blood ring on my finger.
I don’t remember it happening this way. This part of the process was much bloodier for the generation before us. A few murmuring voices complain about the process lacking the usual brutality, and it solidifies my thoughts that this is yet another thing Anxo changed for the better.
At first, I didn’t understand why everyone had a habit of following Anxo so mindlessly, but over time, I’ve noticed why.
The man doesn’t have a single malicious bone in his body as long as you don’t hurt the people he protects. For fucks sake, the man refused to wear his crown today because he wanted me to be the center of attention. That says a lot about the kind of man he is.
Anxo backs up before asking me to slide the ring on, knowing he’d get the shock of his life if anyone other than the destined successor touched it right now.
Here’s goes everything...
Once I nestle the ring on my finger without getting electrified, thank Fates , Anxo finally demands my oath.
“Harvey Adler, son of Henry and Stella Adler, now mate to Grace Adler, do you solemnly swear to remain loyal to the Tetrad kingdom and govern all beings justly? To be a faithful soldier to the sisters of Fate and act as a shield against any harm to your fellow Horsemen?”
“I do.”
Which was a little loose around my finger, the ring warms up until the crisscross veins holding the crystal move to fit me snuggly. The ruby gleams brightly as if agreeing with my oath. The crystal returns to its usual shine with red smoke floating inside... accepting me as its next owner.
The pain that came next was not something I could prepare for. I stumble from the sudden gut-wrenching ache, but Anxo is immediately on my side, bracing my shoulders. He keeps me upright instead of letting me fall in front of the world, withering in pain.
When I look up, the pride on his face is unmistakable as his eyes trace my neck and arms. The pain slowly subsides to a gentle tingle, and I straighten up with newfound strength.
It’s done. The Fates have marked me.
Every single tattoo on my body has burned off, and instead, the ancient markings of my destiny covers my skin. Red delicate swirls and cursive writings tell a different story than my tattoos.
Though the scripts are in Latin and only a few alive know how to read them, I know what every word and shape on my body represents. This is my pain, suffering, strength, and history, making way for my destiny.
“It’s my absolute honor to introduce Harvey Alder, The Horseman of WAR!”
Loud cheers fill the room, and the glass ceiling above us lights up with countless firecrackers going off at once.
For the next hour, I greet people and accept thousands of good luck and whatnot. I’m ready to take Grace to bed, knowing she is tired and sleepy, but the way her eyes linger on the dance floor longingly, I figure one last dance can’t hurt.
“Dance with me, my Queen ?”
“With pleasure, my Horseman.”
On the dance floor, I snicker when I turn to find Nevaeh standing on Anxo’s shoes because she can’t dance for shit.
The other day, Anxo cleared his entire schedule when Nevaeh told him she was nervous about the formal dance routine.
Their day ended with Nevaeh almost bursting into tears from her lack of dance skills when the idea struck him. Now Nevaeh is standing on Anxo’s expensive shoes as he moves them around in limited moves. He doesn't complain though. And why would he, given their intimate position.
Grace is wrapped around me as I sway us to a soft melody, smiling at each other and stealing kisses.
The sound of my best friend laughing freely after a decade of nothing but pain and tears hits me somewhere deep within.
This is it… we got out.
We’re finally home.