Page 41 of Code of Heart

Levi pulled the rings he commissioned from his pocket. In his extended palm lay a turquoise cabochon engagement ring encircled with fire diamond accents and wrapped in golden vines, paired with a wedding band echoing the design. While nontraditional, they were delicate, detailed, earthy, and in retrospect…exactly her.

Owen guided them through the vows. Levi slid the rings onto her finger, repeating, “I give you these rings as a symbol of my commitment and devotion, as we join our lives together today, tomorrow, and however many days Fate gives us beyond that.”

Aurelia inhaled sharply, wordlessly staring at her hand.

Estrella passed her Levi’s ring. His band was broader but shared the same organic, vine-like style with turquoise and diamond accents. A perfect match.

Aurelia’s hands trembled as she unenthusiastically repeated her vows and slid the band onto his finger. He couldn’t blame her; this entire experience was the opposite of how he expected to feel on the day of his wedding.

For a long moment, they stood in silence, looking at one another apprehensively.

Owen naturally broke the spell. “Marriage is more than legalities. It’s a promise to show up for one another. On the best days, the worst days, and the utterly chaotic days. May you discover the missing pieces of yourselves in each other. And hopefully, populate the world with an entire brood of children.”

Oh, for shit’s sake…

Levi sighed loudly and shot him a pointed glare. Owen really couldn’t stop and be normal for once. Judging by the cheeky grin he threw back at Levi, Owen didn’t care either.

“By the power vested in me by the Joia City Clerk’s Office, who graciously approved my online officiant application only this morning,” he blew a kiss in the court clerk’s direction, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share your first public kiss as a couple.”

Owen gleefully pulled out his phone.

All the oxygen was sucked from his lungs. Of all the moments Levi had mentally rehearsed, this wasn’t one of them.

He turned toward Aurelia…right when panic began to bloom across her face.

CHAPTER 22

Aurelia

The ceremony happened so fast, and she was still reeling from Owen’s ridiculous antics, the bizarre vows, and the recording camera. She scarcely had time to process any of it before it was over.

And then, without warning, Levi’s face was right in front of hers, closing the distance for a kiss. Panic flared.

This was a mistake.

She wasn’t ready.

Unfortunately, her instincts kicked in.

Just as Levi’s breath brushed her lips, she twisted her head to the side at the last second…and right into the path of Owen’s phone.

He recorded the whole thing.

Owen let out a victorious cackle as he captured Levi’s lips grazing her cheek, and the exact moment Levi realized what had happened.

Levi stepped back abruptly, his posture stiff, his gaze fixed somewhere,anywhere, that wasn’t her. A red flush crept up his neck, spreading across his cheeks as his jaw ticked.

No one else seemed to notice his reaction. But she did.

And it was her fault.

Her breathing grew shallow, emotions beginning to overwhelm her senses. She took a slow step backward, trying to steady herself.

Owen had already moved in, pulling Levi into a celebratory bear hug, laughing loudly.

She took another step back.

The ceremony had become a spectacle—exactly what she had askednotto happen. Owen treated the vows like a colossal joke. And she…she had no idea how to respond, caught off guard and put on display.