31. Blue
31
BLUE
J udge Montgomery owes me a favor, Jericho says once Zeke and I announce that we re going to get married.
You re getting married? Angelique asks. The other kids are already upstairs being bathed by Cynthia and getting ready for bed.
I only said yes after Zeke got down on one knee. He thought I was joking at first.
I ll make the call. We won t be able to get a license anywhere else and he ll be able to perform the ceremony. If you re both sure, that is? Jericho says.
Zeke looks at me, eyebrows raised.
I nod.
He smiles. It may be sooner than either of us expected but it is exactly what we want.
I turn to Jericho who I know is still hesitant about me. I love your brother. I ll prove that to you, I tell him.
You don t have to prove anything to him, Isabelle says, taking my hand. I see it.
Jericho smiles. He bent a knee? he asks, gesturing to Zeke.
Sure did, I say wide smile on my face. Would you like to see? I took video?—
Give me that. Zeke snatches the phone from me as Isabelle laughs and Jericho makes the call. I owe you two now. One for eavesdropping and a second for trying to embarrass me.
I can t wait for you to deliver on that, I taunt.
We ll be over within the hour, Jericho says, thanking Judge.
An impromptu wedding! Isabelle claps her hands together. Blue, come upstairs. I ll find you something special to wear.
Can I help? Angelique asks.
Of course, Isabelle and I say in unison, and they take me upstairs. Isabelle chooses a long, satin dress off the rack and holds it out for Angelique s approval before showing it to me. It s pale pink and comes to mid-shin with sparkling crystals for straps. It s beautiful and simple. I love it.
It s gorgeous, I tell them, and they help me change quickly.
I ll be right back! Angelique announces and rushes out of the room as Isabelle dabs blush on my cheeks and mascara on my lashes. I m just stepping into a pair of sandals when Angelique enters carrying a bouquet in varying shades of soft and intensely pink peonies.
Is it okay, mom? she asks. They re from the flowers dad brought home the other night, she explains to me.
They re perfect, Isabelle says. As long as you like them, Blue.
I love them, I say, realizing something. Wren won t be here to see it.
Okay? Isabelle asks, squeezing my hand as Angelique ties a ribbon around the flowers.
I wish my sister could be here.
This part is just for Hildebrand. We ll plan a proper wedding later.
I don t know if Zeke and I are big wedding people.
She raises her eyebrows and chuckles. Yeah, you re going to get that anyway.
You ready in there. We need to get going, Zeke says, knocking on the door but staying outside.
Go on. We ll ride separately. You can t see your bride in her wedding dress before the wedding. It s bad luck, Isabelle tells him.
Fuck bad luck.
Angelique gasps.
There are children! Isabelle exclaims.
We wait until he s gone to head downstairs. Zeke and Jericho are in the first car and the three of us climb into the second with Dex driving. It takes half an hour before we reach Judge Montgomery s estate and Isabelle explains who he is as we drive down the long drive lined with giant oaks.
He s not like the others, Isabelle whispers as I stare, mouth hanging open at the opulence of the house as it comes into view.
No? I ask.
No. From what I ve seen at least. I mean, don t get me wrong. He s still scary. She makes a face, and we giggle.
When we arrive, Zeke climbs the stairs and waits there for Isabelle while Angelique hurries up to meet him, holding onto my bouquet. Jericho kisses his wife, and she follows them. They disappear inside. I m a little nervous when it s just Jericho and me and I take his hand to climb out.
You look beautiful, he says.
Thanks, I say, thinking about Isabelle telling me Judge Montgomery is scary because I think Jericho s plenty scary.
I want the best for my brother. That s why I m hard on you.
I know. I want the best for him too.
And I ve never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you so… he extends his elbow. Can I give you away?
I slip my arm through his and we climb the stairs into Judge Montgomery s home where a striking, tall woman greets us, a huge smile on her face.
Jericho, she says, coming to kiss his cheeks in greeting.
Mercedes. You look lovely as ever. I hope this wasn t too inconvenient.
Are you kidding? Is this the woman who finally snatched Ezekiel St. James? She takes my hands and openly looks me over, but smiles. Vivien is going to be so pissed. Welcome to The Society, Blue. She kisses my cheeks and I m not quite sure what to make of her but then Zeke comes around the corner and stops when he sees me.
Jericho and Mercedes excuse themselves and I feel weirdly anxious and emotional.
Once we re alone he walks toward me. You can call it off if you want. I ll find another way.
I wipe a tear and shake my head. I m not sure why I m emotional.
You re getting married.
Shit. Yeah. I look up at him. You re sure you want this? Don t do it to save me again. I m not scared of the Councilor.
Now who s the dummy? he takes me into his arms and pulls me to him. I love you, Blue. I have lived too long without you.
A man clears their throat. Zeke keeps his back to him as I wipe more tears.
Ready to become my bride, my wife?
I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Zeke keeps one arm at my back and Mercedes comes to stand beside her husband, whispering something into his ear, a smile like a cat s on her face.
Blue, I m Judge Montgomery. It s nice to meet you, Judge says, taking my hand to shake it.
He s the first man in the Society to actually shake my hand. Nice to meet you, Councilor?
He nods. Just became official a few hours ago. His expression darkens momentarily but he s quick to adjust his features into something more neutral.
We follow Councilor Montgomery toward the living room where Zeke and I separate, and Jericho once again offers me his arm. Angelique hands me the bouquet and I take a flower out and hand it to her.
Will you be my flower girl? I ask her.
She opens her mouth into a big O and nods happily. Yes!
Someone clears their throat. I hear Isabelle ask, Are you sure? and I know why when the wedding march begins.
Because it s Sympathy for the Devil .
Jericho just raises his eyebrows, Angelique walks down the makeshift aisle scattering the petals of peonies and Zeke stands just across the room a glint in his eye, waiting for me.
My devil.
My love.
Mine.