Page 27

“Hey, don’t freak out, but Noah and I are getting married today,” I say to Olivia, glad she answered her phone.

The line is silent for several seconds. Finally, she says, “You’re what?”

“We’re getting married. Cassian is going to perform the ceremony in a couple of minutes.”

“You’re in Miami, not Vegas.”

“That’s why we’re doing it on a beach and not a casino.”

“Piper!” she hisses.

“Okay, listen. Apparently, I’m not in Cassian’s line. I belong to this other vampire prince, and he’s kind of unstable. Noah and Cassian are worried he might use me to coerce Cassian into turning down the nomination.”

“I thought they were using Sophia for that.”

“Oh yeah, we got her back yesterday.”

“How does this wedding protect you?”

“If I marry Cassian’s heir, I get to join his line. Like, there’s not a backup for the duke, but there are backup princes.” I laugh, nervous as heck. “Or princesses. They stopped discriminating against women about fifty years ago, according to Sophia. Girl power, right?”

“Pip, you’re babbling.”

“I think I’m going to throw up,” I admit in a whisper.

“If you don’t want this, then don’t do it. Surely, there’s another way to protect you from the crazy prince.”

“I do want this.” I walk a little further down the beach, eyeing Cassian, Noah, and Sophia. “I want it more than anything. But I feel like I’ve diabolically trapped Noah into it.”

“Was it your idea?”

“No.”

“Is he acting edgy?”

“He’s completely stable.”

“Did he try to get out of it?”

“Not at all.”

“Okay.” She laughs a little. “Is he watching you freak out right now with that cute little half-smile that he only wears while he’s looking at you?”

I glance at my fiancé. “Yep.”

“You’re good. Go get married—but set up a video call so I can watch, okay?”

“Go do what ?” I hear Max say in the background.

“Um, yeah,” Olivia whispers urgently. “I’ll take care of your brother.”

“Don’t let him call our parents, or I’m dead.”

“Will do. Don’t forget the video call!” she exclaims before we hang up.

I walk back to the small group. Each of us has a specific job. Noah and I are getting married, obviously. Cassian is performing the ceremony, which I still find weird but apparently is something vampire princes do, and Sophia is our witness.

She’s currently huddled under the protective cover of a black umbrella, waiting for the sun to sink.

I’m wearing the white sundress again because I wasn’t about to let Noah buy me another white sundress when he already spent a fortune on this one.

“Are you doing all right?” Noah asks when I join him, taking me aside. He looks amazing in his tan slacks and white shirt. Casual, but dressed for the occasion.

He pulls off the beach wedding look exceptionally well.

“When I pictured our wedding, I always assumed you’d be the one freaking out,” I answer him.

He smiles. “I have nothing to freak out about, nor do I feel like I’ve been ‘diabolically trapped’ into this union.”

“Is your hearing that good?” I exclaim.

“I was standing downwind while you were on the phone, and yes.”

“But the ocean is loud.”

He shrugs.

“Are your parents going to be upset?” I ask him.

“Probably, but will they be surprised that I avoided a fussy black-tie ceremony? Probably not.”

“Don’t remind me. I want to see you in a tux more than just about anything.”

“I’ll have to wear one for the crowning, so don’t be too discouraged.”

“You’re going to that?”

“You think Cassian would let us miss it?”

One thing has become clear in the last few days—Noah has no doubt Cassian is going to take the throne.

“Isn’t it in Bucharest?” I ask.

“It is. You have a passport, right?”

I laugh. “No.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

The sun finally sinks. Sophia sighs, delighted, and tosses the umbrella aside. She’s wearing a tea-length linen dress in sage green, paired with tan sandals that look like they must have cost a fortune.

I’m not sure if she escaped Alfred’s hotel suite with her luggage, or if she convinced Cassian to take her shopping before the wedding.

“You look so lovely,” she says to me, her eyes misty like we’re old friends. “Don’t worry—I’ll take lots of pictures, and I’ll get a video with Cassian’s phone.”

“Thank you,” I say, not sure what to do with her yet.

Though I expected her and Cassian to fall into each other’s arms, it’s obvious that hasn’t happened. But they’ve been reunited for less than twenty-four hours, so I suppose I shouldn’t rush things.

The two vampires are friendly, but they’re giving each other a fair amount of space—like they’re not quite sure how to interact anymore.

But now is not the time to worry about their relationship.

Cassian stands with his back to the ocean, facing the shore so that when Sophia takes our pictures, we’ll have the water as our backdrop.

“Piper,” Noah says before I take my place, producing a bouquet of roses and orchids, all in snowy white.

I inhale, startled. “You got me flowers?”

“It seemed right.”

“Noah…” Suddenly, the reality of the situation hits me. We’re standing on a sunset beach, about to exchange vows. We’re getting married. Actually married.

My eyes begin to sting, and I’m worried I might not hold it together.

“Thank you,” I say softly.

He takes my hand, leading me to our spots in front of Cassian. A few tourists realize what’s going on, and they stop to watch. It’s a little awkward, but right now, the whole of my attention is on Noah. Let them gather.

“Let’s begin,” Cassian says.

I’ve arranged flowers for dozens of weddings and been in a few of my friends’ bridal parties. They were never like this—quiet, intimate.

Cassian speaks of forever. Of love and trust. Commitment and loyalty.

Noah nods, his eyes on my face and a smile on his lips.

We promise to cherish and love each other, to remain loyal for life despite hardships. Not once does Noah waver—not once does he look unsure.

“And now you will exchange rings,” Cassian says.

“We don’t have rings,” I whisper, a little self-conscious of the crowd we’ve drawn. It’s large now.

“We do.” Noah produces a gold band from his trouser pocket.

“Go ahead, Noah,” Cassian instructs.

“This ring is a symbol of my promise,” Noah says, looking a little nervous now. “I will stand by you for as long as I live, honored to have you by my side. I love you, Piper.”

He slides the ring onto my finger, and I’m done for. A tear runs down my cheek, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

Cassian produces Noah’s band from his own pocket and hands it to me. “It’s your turn, Piper. Would you like to repeat the traditional script?”

“No, I’ve got this.” I dab my eyes with the handkerchief Sophia gave me and then take Noah’s hand. “Noah, this ring is a symbol of my promise. Wear it knowing that I will honor our vows and the house you’re adopting me into.” My voice breaks, and I drop it to a whisper. “I love you so much.”

Noah clutches my hand after I slide the ring onto his finger, drawing me close. The sand shifts under our feet, and the ocean waves drown out the sound of our beating hearts.

Cassian finishes the ceremony, finally telling Noah he can kiss his bride.

My new husband draws me close, smiling as our mouths meet. Our gathered crowd whoops, celebrating the union of complete strangers and sounding quite happy to do so.

“Congratulations,” Cassian says, and then he turns to me. “You’re officially a daughter of House Chevalier. I will be expecting that Father’s Day card next year.”

“Don’t make it weird,” I laugh, clinging to Noah’s hand. “Now what?”

“In an ideal world, you two would jet off for your honeymoon, enjoying a week of overpriced alcohol and overrated room service.” Cassian frowns at his phone. “Unfortunately, Gerald has arrived, and we need to question him and make him aware you are no longer his.”

Right.

“Okay, cool,” I say with a sigh. “Let’s head to the NIHA office.”

Again.