NINETY-EIGHT
WILLOW
Wedding preparations have been, dare I say, overwhelming.
Juniper and Maeve have been relentless with the planning, organizing, fittings, and all the other miscellaneous things.
Killian and Rowan took Caz for a bachelor’s night at Blackwater Tavern, where apparently, Caz got so drunk he burned a hole in the wall.
Now that Faye is here, we’re inseparable. I don’t know how I’ve gone so long without her, but she fits right in. Juniper and Maeve loved her as soon as they met her and immediately got her situated in a bridesmaid gown. Black, silver, and gold is the color scheme, and it’s more than fitting.
For my bachelorette party, I’m taken (more like forced) to Vanora, where Alora arranges nonalcoholic games for us to play. She even takes us to the pool in the lower passages of the palace where the walls are made of sea salt rocks and the columns are lined with gold. The pool is warm, and when we’re settled, her assistants apply gold face masks to our faces then give us mani-pedis.
It’s the most soothing experience ever.
Now, the big day is here.
I always thought that if I ever got married, it would be a sunny day. But in Blackwater, sunlight is rare.
The sun attempts to shine through gray clouds as I stand on the terrace, the hem of my black robe flowing with the wind.
Juniper, Maeve, and Faye have been running in and out of the room, making sure things are in order while checking in on me.
I’ve had my makeup done, my hair styled, and now I’m waiting for the moment I walk the aisle.
Only two more hours.
I raise a hand, focusing on the sky. With a sway, I erase some of the clouds, but not too many. Just enough to reveal wisps of sunlight. When a ray splashes my face, I smile and tilt my head, basking in it.
A knock raps on the door, and I peer over my shoulder. Caz steps in, and I turn all the way around, gasping.
“Caz, you’re not supposed to see me yet!”
“I know. I snuck my way up. Drifted through the walls to avoid Maeve and Jun. Have you tried that one?” He flashes a smug grin.
I laugh. “I haven’t, but I’ll make a note of it.”
He grips my chin in his warm fingers. “Just wanted to see you one more time before you become my wife.”
My wife? Sounds so naughty and sweet coming from him.
“Your heart is racing,” I say, pressing a palm to his black button-down shirt. “Are you nervous?”
“A bit.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Didn’t think I’d get married, and as an Imperial, no less. I was thinking about it all last night, going over ways to not fuck us up.”
“Aw, Caz.” I collect his face in my hands as he lowers one of his to my waist. “You won’t fuck us up. We’re going to be okay. This day is ours, don’t you see that? This is the happily-ever-after we’ve been looking for. Me being in Vakeeli with you forever. Us sharing a child that we can raise and watch grow over time. There is nothing I want more than this.”
“Are you sure?” His mouth inches closer to mine. “Because I’d understand if you got cold feet and didn’t show at the altar. I’m a lot to handle.”
“You are a lot, but you’re my mate—my Cold Tethered soul mate. You’re mine . Nothing can tear us apart.”
“Well,” he sighs, picking up my hand and entwining our fingers, “in that case, I want to give you this.”
A crown appears, floating in the air next to him. It shimmers in the threads of sunlight, all silver and rubies. The design is intricate, the silver bands crisscrossing as they hug the red gems. When the crown floats to my head and settles, I look into his eyes.
“You are my queen. You are my life . Not only will the rings seal our fates and our bond forever, but this crown will be an embodiment of that. So long as you carry this, neither of us will fall.”
A smile sweeps across his lips, and another crown appears above his head. “Got one for myself too.”
A giggle breaks out of me, despite the tears in my eyes. “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, Caz,” I whisper.
He places a kiss on my lips. Once. Twice. They’re warm with just the right amount of pressure.
“Those are the wrong words, Willow Woman. The true question is what have I done in my horrible, tragic life to deserve someone as loyal, smart, and beautiful as you?”
That hand at my waist tugs, hitching my robe up. Before I know it, my back is pressed to the wall, and we’re both breathing hard as we kiss. His tongue slips through my lips, rolling and playing with mine.
I feel a clench between my thighs and moan as he picks me up in his arms. I manage to wrap my legs around his waist, even with my baby bump in the way, and hold his face in my hands.
“Should we fuck before the wedding?” he asks.
“I think that’s considered bad luck on Earth.”
“Good thing we aren’t on Earth then, eh?”
My laughter is shrill as he coats my neck and chest with kisses. He turns away from the wall to march to the bed, but before he can lay me down, I hear a thud.
Caz freezes as he peers over his shoulder.
“Are you kidding me?” Juniper stands in the doorframe with her hand on her hip. “Caz, get out right now!” She zips across the room and tugs on his arm. “We just had her hair styled, and you’re trying to ruin it.”
I can’t help laughing as Caz reluctantly pulls away, but not because Juniper is strong enough to make it happen.
“Just have the hair stylist come back up then.” He runs his palms over his rumpled shirt.
“No way. We need to stay on schedule. Now shoo!” She walks around him, pushing him on the center of his back. He doesn’t budge so she pushes harder, and that gets his feet moving. “You can do all the fucking and kissing after you slide that ring on her finger.”
Caz makes it to the door but not without looking back. He starts to speak until Maeve and Faye appear, slipping through the gaps.
“He tried to bang her, Mum. Can you believe that?” Juniper shrills.
“He what ?” Maeve turns her narrowed eyes to Caz, and this time I bust out laughing.
“Keep it in your pants, grumpy god,” Faye laughs.
“I came to give her a gift, and she’s my mate, so I have the right to?—”
“Yeah, yeah. See you later. Love you, bye!” Juniper slams the door in Caz’s face. Then she eyes me, pointing a finger. “That baby is making you hornier than usual.”
I snort a laugh. “I mean, he has a point.”
“You’re a mess,” Faye laughs as she helps me off the bed. “Come on. Let’s get you squeezed into your dress.”