Page 259 of Conquered

Willow steps forward, handing me my bouquet of beautiful rainbow coloured flowers, and keeping hold of my hand, Ryan leads us out of the mansion. An old fashioned white car, with a ribbon wrapped around the flying lady on the front, awaits us, glinting in the sun.

“Where on earth did you get a vintage Rolls?” I exclaim, eyeing up the beautiful vehicle with appreciation.

“Your soon-to-be husband has his ways,” Ryan tells me, a smirk of approval on his lips as the driver, who’s in a very smart dove grey uniform, opens the door. “You ready?”

I take a deep breath of forest air, our luck holding as the spring sunshine beats down on us, lending its warmth for the day.

“As I’ll ever be,” I reply, stepping into the car, and towards my future.

ASH

I stand gazing out at the stunning mountain view, beautifully framed by the floral archway. But I don’t see a damn thing, waiting for Lilly, my bride, to arrive.

“You okay, bro?” Loki asks, clapping me on the back, his hand squeezing my shoulder. Kai and Jax are showing the final guests to their seats, and have been greeting people as they arrive.

“Why am I so fucking nervous, dude?” I ask, bewildered at the butterflies that have taken flight in my stomach.

“Because you’re marrying the girl of our dreams, you fucker,” Loki replies, and I know that he’s only half joking, his hand tightening a little more on my shoulder.

“Yeah, I know, bro,” I reply, turning to look at him, just as the musicians start playing the bride’s piece of music.

My heart leaps in my chest as I face the aisle, and the sight that greets me stops my breath, the world pausing as she walks towards me. She looks...transcendent, her beauty surpassing everything in this universe and all the others. Her dress floats around her, hinting at her pregnancy, and I have to suppress a primal growl of satisfaction at her obvious fertility.

The dress is exquisite, and I follow down to the hem, which looks as though she’s stepped into the setting sun behind us, bringing it with her. The timing of the ceremony now makes sense at least. She wears a long veil, but her face is free, her hazelstare locked on me when I tear my gaze back up to her radiant face.

I almost fall to my fucking knees at the smile she gives me, unsurety and nerves there but a happiness that I never knew I could inspire.

“I fucking hate you, bro,” Loki grumbles in my ear, and I can’t blame him. I would hate me, too.

Finally, Lilly is standing beside me, Ryan placing her hand in mine. She gives it a squeeze, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she looks at me.

“Great song choice,” she comments, and I smile, wanting to laugh out loud.

I gave her free reign over everything, bar the music for today. And I didn’t tell her either, as I wanted to keep it a surprise. The song being played on a baby grand and cello by The Piano Guys is a rendition ofA Thousand Years, and I chose it after hearing that she went to see the Twilight films at midnight with a group of friends, and squealed when that werewolf took his shirt off.Fucking amateur.She laughed at me when I commented that I never understood why Bella had to choose between the two, although personally I was always team Jasper and Alice.

The piece comes to an end, those damn butterflies still flying around inside me.

“Dearly beloved…” The registrar begins, the rest of the ceremony passing by in a blur until suddenly I’m placing a ring, my ring, on her finger, and she’s doing the same to me. Her hands don't shake, her words don’t falter as she looks me dead in the eye and becomes my wife.

“You may now…” I don’t wait for the fucker to continue, cupping her face with my hands and pulling her soft lips to mine.

It’s the kiss of a new beginning, all fresh and sweet like the twilight mountain air that surrounds us. I kiss her as if she’s the very air I need, the thing that keeps me breathing because sheis. And she’s so much more, to me, to all of us. She matches me stroke for stroke, her hands on my chest, gripping my morning suit and pulling me closer.

I vaguely register cheers and whoops, mostly coming from Loki behind me, but I’m lost in this woman, my fucking wife, and I don’t ever want to be found. Reluctantly, I pull back, grinning when I see that she’s just as affected as me, her pupils blown and lips swollen.

“Hello, wife,” I murmur, tasting the smile on her lips.

“Hello, husband,” she replies, and damn, if my knees don’t go a little weak at hearing her call me that.

The registrar interrupts us, reminding me that we need to sign the register and marriage certificate, Loki and Jax following as witnesses. Once that’s done, it’s time for us to walk down the aisle, her hand tucked into the crook of my arm, man and wife. A delighted peal of laughter rings from her lips, echoing around us as the piano plays a version ofEarned Itby The Weekend. A blush coats her upper chest and cheeks, blooming under her skin, probably remembering what happened the two times she’s heard this song.

“Naughty, husband,” she teases with a smile as people throw rainbow petal confetti over us. I can’t even be annoyed at the petals sticking to me, a shiver running through me at her words. I lean down, close enough to whisper in her ear.

“The next time you call me that, I’ll be buried deep inside your sweet cunt, wife.”

I watch enraptured as her nostrils flare, the red on her cheeks deepening as she licks her lips.

It’s a promise that I intend to keep.