Page 77 of Discord
“What’s going on—”
Raven interrupted him by placing a meaningful hand over his bicep. “Just watch.”
A silent understanding passed between the four of us. Colonel, David, and Carmen weren’t used to our madness. Though they were baffled, they kept quiet and watched the events unfold.
Happiness boomed inside my chest at the thought of not having to share this moment with an audience of two hundred. These were the only people who mattered in the world.
Reid opened the folder with the preapproved ceremony script and began to speak. His voice was only audible to our small group due to the anarchy around us.
Brandon’s expression was entirely unrevealing, only his eyes giving away the urgency to solidify this moment. I got the distinct impression that a comet could hit the Earth and he’d still insist on marrying me today.
Milo signaled the photographer with a swift finger crook to capture the impromptu ceremony. Once more, the photographer blinded me with a flash, and I could hear Milo grinding his jaw in frustration.
For once, he didn’t reprimand anyone.
The flash didn’t break the haze between Brandon and me. I couldn’t look away, and he hadn’t blinked in minutes.
“Do you have the rings?” Reid asked, and I realized we were deep into the ceremony.
“Oh,” David cued up, extending his palm that held two rings, a platinum and a diamond-encrusted one.
“Repeat after me,” Reid prompted.
I slid the band onto Brandon’s finger and repeated the vows as Reid fed me the words. My voice didn’t falter; nervousness unraveling.
Brandon returned the favor, placing the delicate band against my engagement ring. Reid had barely declared us husband and wife when Brandon grabbed me by the waist, his mouth on mine.
Faintly, I heard Reid declare, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
Brandon had somewhat jumped the gun.
David slapped Brandon on the back with a congratulatory pat, whose mouth was still latched onto mine. By the time he let go, Reid had a wolfish smile on his face, pleased with his role in making this happen. I watched Raven dab the corner of her eyes. Milo held Damien hostage under his arm but nodded curtly at Brandon. His mixed feelings might never subside, and this was as much of an approval he’d give Brandon.
The venue coordinators made an announcement, asking guests to return to their seats as the fire department had cleared the area.
Brandon paid them no mind. He led me down the aisle but in the opposite direction. The confused planners approached us, proposing we return to the altar and get married in front of the two hundred guests gathered to witness our union.
Brandon didn’t stop. Nor did any of my siblings stop us.
Brandon’s hand tightened around my waist, our gazes interlocked as we exited the great hall. The alarm blared again, but shockingly, I heard nothing over the thudding in my heart.
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