Chapter 15
Harper
I’m standing on a pedestal in the center of a room surrounded by people.
They’re talking about whatever the hell they’re talking about, and I’m having a hard time not thinking about last night and this morning.
I mean, the sex was unbelievable. Just an entire night spent being rotated by a group of hot, horny men who wanted nothing but me.
And this morning? All four men were perfectly fine. More than perfectly fine. They were joking and smiling in a way I’ve never seen them do before. The three princes had never acted like brothers. But, somehow, the four of them are acting like brothers now.
“Turn,” the short woman says beside me, and I obey.
She puts a few more stitches into the wedding dress. Then she steps back again. The other seamstresses are messing with my veil and my shoes, almost in a near-panic. Not that I blame them. I’m pretty sure I was supposed to be walking down the aisle ten minutes ago.
I catch sight of Arthur strutting in in the reflection of the mirror. He’s in a finely made black suit, his hair perfectly done, but he has a look on his face that I can’t quite read.
“Everything okay?”
He nods. “I just wondered if you wouldn’t mind a few visitors.”
Visitors? “Of course.”
He steps back into the hall, then comes back in, followed by… my parents. He doesn’t say another word, just leaves once more, giving us time to ourselves.
“Mom! Dad!” I exclaim. Ignoring the seamstress, I jump off the pedestal and bolt for them, wrapping them in a hug. “I didn’t think they could get you here in time!”
They hug me tightly, and I can feel my mom’s teardrops on my shoulder. Pulling back, I smile at both of them. They’re finely dressed, my mom in a pink dress, and my dad in a blue suit.
“How did this happen?”
My mom actually grins. “The princes had us flown here on the backs of dragons.”
“What?” I’m truly shocked. Dragons don’t like having people other than their riders on their backs. The princes must have worked magic to make this happen.
Man, they really know how to steal a girl’s heart.
“I guess they said it was essential that your family was here. Even though, we can only stay today. We can’t just leave the farm. I’ve got two pregnant women near their due date, and–”
It’s hard to ignore the stinging in my eyes. “It’s okay. I understand. I’m just so glad you made it!”
My mom holds my hands. “And how are you doing? It seems that so much has happened so fast.”
“And you’re marrying a Hollowborn,” my father says darkly.
I smile. “A Hollowborn who is kind, sweet, and loving.”
My father raises a brow.
“Seriously. They’re not what people think they are.”
Relief flashes across his face. “I’m glad.”
“So.” My mom hesitates. “You’re happy about this?”
I don’t even need to think. “I’m really happy.”
She pulls me into another hug. “You have no idea how wonderful that is to hear.”
“And you guys are okay? There was no backlash for anything with that asshole…?”
My mother smiles. “When the dragon riders showed up, they not only made sure to speak to Lord Montclair, but they brought with them a dowry price that will allow us to do things to the farm, actually enough to do anything we could possibly dream of. I can’t believe how generous the princes were!”
They really did that? It warms my heart to know they thought enough to take care of my family. While I’ve been worried about them caring about me, it seems they’ve been taking care of me from the shadows all along.
“Lady Harper,” the seamstress says. “We’re running late.”
“Of course,” I say, turning back to my parents. “Mom, you want to find your seat. Dad, if you want to walk me down the aisle…”
He gives one of his rare smiles. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.”
My heart just about explodes.
The seamstresses wave me back to the podium where they put my shoes on and arrange the veil in my hair. My dad stays to one side, not saying a word—not that I expected him to—until they’re finally done. One of them runs off to inform the king, and the others step back.
“What do you think?”
I look at my reflection in the mirror. The gown is a pure white shade that I’m sure only the wealthy can afford.
The dress is made of the finest lace I’ve ever seen.
It’s delicate and soft all at the same time.
It hugs my body like a spiderweb. There are no sleeves, and it’s tight until it reaches the bottom.
My hair has been left down, with curls going down my back, and the veil on my head is simple and beautiful.
“I love it,” I say. “Dad?”
He comes closer. “Those royals are lucky to have you.”
I smile at him. He takes my hand and helps me down from the pedestal, and then I put my hand in the crook of his elbow. He puts his hand over mine, and we start walking, heading for the ballroom. He doesn’t know the way, so I lead us along.
No one is in the halls except the guards. It’s quiet. Eerie.
When we reach the ballroom doors, two guards open the doors.
I don’t even have time to ask my dad if he’s ready, when the music starts playing, and we’re marching our way down the aisle.
In the audience are mostly dragon riders and other lords and ladies, but I see my mother, brothers, and Arthur all sitting together, looking just perfect.
Tears sting my eyes, and I finally chance a look ahead. All four of my men are dressed in matching black suits, looking so handsome that it takes my breath away. They’re staring too, not even trying to hide the devotion in their gazes.
We reach each other, but my dad’s hand curls around the one in the crook of his arm, and he stares down the four of them. “Royals or not, I’ll kill you if you hurt her.”
Sevrin, still wearing his face paint, gives a little nod. “That seems like a fair deal to me.”
My father gives me a kiss on the cheek, hesitates, kisses me again, and then, finally, pulls back and sits beside my mother. It’s strange as I look between them and my men. I’ve never been happier. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.
I stand across from my men, and the king comes to conduct the ceremony.
He talks very little about love or happiness, and a lot about unions, treaties, and peace.
My men don’t look happy about what’s being said, but I feel like the whole thing is silly anyway.
We’re bound together in the ways that matter already. This ceremony was never really for us.
I start to smile. I catch Alaric’s gaze, and he mirrors my smile. Soon, all of them are smiling. It’s like we’re sharing a thought. Like we all know that we just have to get through this moment, and then we can be together.
The king starts to wrap up. A ring box is produced.
We’re all given matching gold bands, although mine is more slender than theirs.
Sevrin puts my ring on my finger. I put each of their rings on them.
The king says something about a kiss, and then each of them gives the chastisest kiss they’ve ever given me.
Everyone begins to cheer, and then we’re led off so they can remove the chairs, and we can begin the reception. We mill about in the courtyard as drinks and hors d'oeuvres are passed out. The moon and the sun are both in the sky as the day turns to evening.
I introduce my brothers to my men. They joke about killing my husbands, but it’s less of a joke and more of a friendly threat. We all go back inside and dance the night away until guests begin to head home, and my family goes to bed. Then the king calls for us to join him in his study.
The good mood dampens, and I look at Sevrin, trying to read his expression, but there’s just tension behind his eyes. My heartbeat picks up, and for the first time, I really wonder about his information about making more male dragons.
He really knows how to do it. Doesn’t he?