Page 19 of Blood of the Damned: Thorn (Vaughn Winery #1)

Ledger

A trembly-limbed Ledger slowly strolled towards the mirror as he heard the door click closed behind him. How could it be his wedding day already? Where had the four weeks gone?

It was all a blur. He’d blinked and the time had simply disappeared in a whirlwind of activity. It felt like he hadn’t taken a full breath since Thorn had proposed.

Coming to a stop, he got a good look at himself for the first time. He trembled, staring at himself now that ‘ the primpers’ , as he’d called the team that Thorn had sent to help him get ready, had left him alone.

He shook his head in wonder. Was this really him? Was this really his life?

An image of himself, distraught and alone outside the home he was no longer welcome in, pushed at his subconscious.

It had gotten harder to shove it back into the box marked unwanted junk.

Today, he let it be a reminder that for him it wasn’t about the past, but the present and the future. One he would have with his family.

He’d succeeded, despite the rejection of the one he’d been born into. Family, he’d discovered, could be anything he wanted it to be. Genetics be damned.

The man staring back at him with an air of sophistication and polish, which was achievable when money was no object, was not the lost boy he’d once been.

Not that Thorn’s money had made a difference.

Not really. That added a layer of sophistication, yes, but nothing more.

What was inside Ledger, the drive, the need to show the world he was worth something, was what he’d done alone.

He alone had been the one to make something of himself, and this was the reward.

Finding Thorn was the gift for his bravery.

He wasn’t sure he’d have found him in this lifetime if he hadn’t wanted to prove he was more than divergent.

“I am worthy.” When he said it to himself now, he felt it.

“I am worthy of Thorn’s love.” He ran a hand over his stomach.

“Of my girls.” If he couldn’t speak to them the way Thorn could, it didn’t matter.

They were his to treasure and love. No restrictions.

No limits to the offer. They would know unconditional love from their parents until Ledger’s last breath.

His gaze met his own in the mirror, the determination there for him to see. “I’ve got this!”

Ledger knew he’d never looked better. Professionally styled, not a hair was out of place.

His skin glowed with health and vitality.

That could have been the products he’d had slathered on him, it could be the girls, or it could be Thorn’s blood flowing in his veins.

Moreover, it could be that he was just so damn happy it hurt sometimes.

He was accepted here for who he was, and he’d discovered that was enough to know he’d be a good parent when the doubt crept in.

He brushed his hands down the lapels of his suit, smoothing out an imaginary wrinkle.

The handmade suit made of the finest navy silk fit him perfectly and hid the slight bump.

A white shirt in the softest cotton went with the dark red cravat and matched the cummerbund at his waist. He gave himself one last sweeping look when he caught the time in the mirror of the bedside clock.

Checking his polished shoes had no smudges on them, he turned to walk to the door, and to his destiny.

A wide smile spread as he wondered what outfit Thorn had chosen to wear. They’d kept it secret for each other and Thorn had also spent the night in Dacian’s suite last night like a traditionalist. Ledger had loved the sentiment as much as he’d despised being in the enormous bed alone.

Before he reached the door, there was a tap on the wood.

He tilted his head, listening out. Hearing nothing, he opened the door and gave a start at seeing Calvert looking uncertain on the other side.

“Everything okay?” He shifted to the side to look around Calvert’s wide shoulders to see where Thorn was, paying no attention to what the other man wore. Ledger had expected to walk down alone to where they’d set up the wedding party.

“It is. I’m here to escort you, Ledger.” He bowed so formally Ledger was agog. Then he hooked out his elbow and, using his other hand, placed Ledger’s on the sleeve of the black tuxedo, which, Ledger now noticed, fit him like a dream. “Ready?”

A warmth flooded Ledger’s cheeks at the gallant gesture and he nodded wordlessly, allowing Calvert to guide him down the staircase, which was decorated with garlands of wildflowers.

They were holding the event in the walled garden and Ledger had scanned the weather reports frequently to ensure there were no unexpected storms brewing to ruin his day.

Thorn had stated the day before, when he’d fretted once more, “The weather gods would never mess with my Sweetling.”

When he stepped out into the walled garden, he could see Thorn was right. The weather was perfect. Light, fluffy clouds floated in a perfect blue sky. The heat was enough to warm the skin but not burn their guests.

Ledger smiled at those who turned to look in his direction as the music they’d picked played as he strode with eagerness to the beginning of the aisle, making Calvert increase his stride to keep up. Gone was the plan to move in time to the beat of the music.

When he moved past the last row of seats, his breath hitched at the sight of Thorn dressed much the same as Calvert, but his bow tie matched Ledger’s cravat. Sneaky.

I wanted the day to be perfect. Thorn’s reply made Ledger’s smile widen until his cheeks hurt.

Thorn stood shoulder to shoulder with Dacian under an arch of wildflowers that skimmed the top of their dark hair, making it appear they were wearing a halo of flowers. His lips twitched at the notion, which he shared with Thorn.

He flicked a quick look at his brother and when Dacian glanced up and frowned, Ledger understood Thorn, even today, wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to mess with his brother.

Finally, as Ledger stepped onto the pale gray carpet, releasing a shuddery breath, Thorn’s attention was on him.

His gaze held Ledger’s as the music changed from the wedding march to something soft and dreamy.

He had helped pick the track he wanted playing for this moment, but if someone would have asked him what it was, he wouldn’t have been able to tell them.

His mind was empty of all thoughts but one: Thorn.

He held Ledger’s entire focus. Everything else ceased to exist as he walked to him as he held out his hand.

Calvert gently took the hand off his sleeve and offered it to Thorn. When he took it, Ledger quivered at the love pouring through their connection. You will not cry. You will not cry.

He sniffed. Folded his lips together to stop them quivering and continued on repeating his new mantra .

He clung to Thorn as Calvert moved to stand to Ledger’s left, the brothers’ tall sentinels as the celebrant they’d chosen started the service.

Was it nice? Possibly?

Romantic as they shared their vows? Again, quite possibly?

Ledger, when he would look back on this day, was sure he would recall only the way Thorn held his gaze.

At the love directed at him that made him feel as if it cloaked him with strength and beauty of the mighty wings hidden beneath Thorn’s exterior.

Nothing else was important, no matter how much time and energy he’d put into creating their special day, this was what was vital: Love.

Those seated on either side of the small aisle applauded and finally brought Ledger out of his daze. “I love you,” he said with feeling, and the crowd cheered as Thorn gave him a misty-eyed smile.

“Someone has too,” Dacian said loud enough the cheers turned to gales of laughter.

“I love you too, Sweetling,” Thorn returned, feeling every bit of that love, and ignored his brother.

It was perfect.