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Chapter Three

"DO YOU, LIANA, TAKEMonsieur Le Dernieras your lawfully wedded husband?"

Judge Grimault's voice echoes through the empty courthouse, and I look at him with wide-eyed shock.

"You're not going to use his actual name?"

Grimault gulps, and with his bloodshot eyes and rumpled suit, there's nothing dignified about him at all. He looks more like the hostage between the two of us, and it almost makes me feel bad for him.

Almost.

Grimault clears his throat. "Please answer with a 'yes' or 'no'."

But I don't, since here he is, officiating a marriage that can't possibly be legal.

I open my mouth so I can annoy him further. But then my groom gives me a look, andpoof.

My desire to stay alive outweighs my puerile tendencies, and I give Grimault an angelic smile."Oui."It's not much of a rebellion, but small wins are still wins,oui?

And besides...

"It is my honor and privilege—"

Who says I'm already done?

"To takeMonsieur Le Dernieras myawfully—"

My groom's security team starts coughing again (they do love to do that, don't they?) while Grimault releases a sound that's somewhere between a horrified wheeze and a whelp of terror.

"Oh, sorry. I meant to say 'lawfully'of course."

I'm not sure what it was exactly, to be honest. All I know is that it's music to my ears.

"It's my honor and privilege to takeMonsieur Le Dernieras my lawfully wedded husband." I slowly lift my gaze to his, peering at him from under my lashes like the virgin bride that I am (truly!), and...oh my goodness.Was that an actual twitch of his lips?

Whoever knew a monster like him is capable of smiling?

"Then by the power vested in me..."

Grimault's speaking again, and I lower my gaze to the marble floors, with its ultra-polished surface reflecting the fluorescent lights like a distorted world under my thrift-store-bought Louboutins.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

I'm not sure why, but I just feel like pretending I'm the very mindful, very demure, very cutesy type.

"You may now kiss your bride."