Page 52

AMbrOSE

“ S top fussing,” Odie signs and tugs my hand away from my tie before straightening it. “You look perfect.”

“Why are you so nervous? Having second thoughts?” Bram asks. He’s standing with Odie and Roman to my left. Odie pushes at his shoulder and rolls her eyes.

“I’m excited.” I button my suit coat and then unbutton it.

There’s not an ounce of nervousness in my body, but I’m ready to see Piper.

She spent the night at Josephine’s last night when Ava insisted it would be bad luck for us to be in the same house the day of the wedding.

I got a dirty look when I pointed out that we’re already married.

Piper kissed me and told me it was just for one night.

One night away from her was too long.

The backyard of the chateau has always been beautifully landscaped, but with a little magic, the flowers are blooming, and it’s been transformed to look like an ethereal garden.

Twinkle lights are strung back-and-forth across the yard, and once the sun finally sets, they’ll cast a warm glow over the crowd.

I don’t know whose idea it was, but someone decided that we needed to have a wedding repeat since our friends missed out on our first one.

That and Piper and I never officially celebrated our nuptials.

Of course, in the beginning, our relationship was simply an agreement between the two of us.

I don’t think Piper or I could’ve imagined what our affair would blossom into, so it does deserve celebrating.

That and I’m always up for a good party.

Plus, Piper is long overdue to be the center of attention.

She’s spent so much of her life in the corner, trying to avoid notice.

Now that she’s free of the hex her father put on her, and her uncle is no longer a threat to anyone, she’s truly bloomed.

A string quartet finishes playing a song, and then the crowd rustles in their seats and spins toward the house.

A new tune begins, and Ava comes walking down the aisle.

Josephine isn’t far behind. I expect Stellan to come out next.

He’s supposed to be one of Piper’s bridesmaids–his choice of words.

Instead, it’s Piper that steps into the backyard next, stealing my breath away.

My whole world collapses down into one pinprick of focus.

My wife.

I’ve never seen anything so lovely in my entire life.

My heart aches and my chest and my magic burns bright at the sight of her.

She’s wearing a lace dress that clings to her curves and flowers adorn her hair that tumbles down her back.

Her eyes sparkle and she smiles as she walks down the aisle toward me. There’s no reluctance, no hesitation.

Ava takes her flowers, and Piper slides her hands into mine. Lucida smiles at us both, ready to marry us in front of our friends and half the town.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the bonds of a love so strong that they can break a curse. There is no magic greater than that. The bride and groom would like to share their own vows.” Lucida takes a step back.

Piper nervously swallows and clears her throat.

“Ambrose, I never thought I’d be lucky enough to find love like ours.

I never thought I was worthy. You taught me to believe in myself, and you showed me what it meant to be loved simply for being myself.

I was doomed from the start.” She laughs.

“How could I resist your humor and charm? But most of all, it was the way you treated me like I was important. You saw me. You are the love of my life.” She squeezes my fingers, tears shining in her eyes.

“Piper.” I get lost in her blue eyes, love swelling up in my chest. “The world might see a shy woman, but I’m so grateful that my Piper is the sharp, funny, and sexy version that only the most fortunate ones get to see.

Every moment with you, my heart grows fuller with a love I didn’t realize existed.

You are my world, and I vow to love you for an eternity.

We were fated in the stars.” I brush my finger over her ring where that phrase is etched on the inside.

Roman passes me a box, and then I pull out a ring.

“What’s this?” Piper peers down at the box.

“Mabel tried to shame me at our last wedding for not giving you an engagement ring. We wouldn’t want to repeat that humiliation.” I open the box, and Piper gasps softly, her eyes lifting from the box full of tears as she stares at me.

“It’s beautiful.”

It’s a simple solitaire diamond in a delicate antique setting. I slide it onto her finger where it nestles against her wedding band.

Lucida holds out a strip of red ribbon. “With this, I bind you together. In good times and bad. Love will always lead the way.” She ties our hands together, and then steps back with a smile on your face. “Go ahead. Kiss each other.”

I use our bound hands to tug Piper against me. The crowd claps when I dip her back and capture her mouth in a searing kiss that leaves me tempted to throw her over my shoulder and march her straight back into our house.

Shouts and laughter ring through the air around us.

“I love you,” I murmur against Piper’s mouth. She tightens her hold of my neck and kisses me once more.

“I love you too.”

The party is already loud and rowdy before we get the seats moved to create a dance floor. I’ve barely left Piper’s side all evening, but after talking to so many people, Piper and I both needed a drink. Bram and I are waiting for the bartender to mix our drinks.

My eyes are drawn to Piper again and again. She’s across the lawn, speaking with Ava. Her smile is bright and the red in her hair catches in the setting sun making her look like an otherworldly creature. My nymph from a fairy tale. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life.

“Married life suits you. I never thought I’d see the day.” Bram takes his drink from the bartender and takes a sip, his eyes focused on Ava. I recognize that look of complete and utter devotion. I’ve been wearing it for weeks.

“Are you getting inspired?” I expect Bram to scoff at the suggestion, but he just grins.

As if sensing our stares, both Piper and Ava turned to look at us. Ava flips Bram the bird. Piper smiles sweetly and waves at me.

There are a lot of people from Mystic Hollows who’ve come out to celebrate.

The dance floor is already full, and the band keeps playing lively music.

There’s a table full of food and another completely stacked with desserts.

No one is going hungry tonight. They won’t be thirsty either.

Beside the bartender are giant tubs of ice stuffed full of soda, juice, and beer.

Everything is perfect.

The smile falls off Piper’s face, and she takes a step toward me. I cock my head and mouth, what’s wrong?

She jerks her chin behind me and crosses the lawn until she reaches my side.

I turn to find my mother walking out into the backyard.

Surprisingly, she hasn’t dressed herself in a mother-of-the-groom dress.

Despite our distance, I can see her wanting to milk this moment, but she didn’t even show up for the ceremony.

Maybe she’s learned something. She’s wearing a pair of linen pants and a quarter-length-sleeve blouse that’s elegant and gives vacation vibes.

Piper slides her hand into mine and stands at my side as Bianca heads our way. Her mouth is pinched and her gaze wary as she stops in front of us.

“I didn’t want to take away from the ceremony, but I thought I would stop by and offer my congratulations.” She runs her hand over her hair and fluffs the bottom. “It seems you’re now members of the coven council too. I’m surprised you finally found time to celebrate your wedding.”

“Thank you,” Piper interjects before I think of something snarky to say. “We appreciate your well wishes.”

My mother looks like she’s about to say something snooty, but she reels herself in.

She offers Piper a tight smile before she turns to me.

“Your father and I are leaving for Nice tomorrow. You seem to have things figured out here at home,” she says softly, and there’s a flicker of something in her eyes.

Regret, maybe. “I really do wish you the best, Ambrose. You deserve it.”

“Thank you.” I don’t know if my mom is looking for a hug or for me to forgive her lack of involvement in my life.

But I’ve learned something these past few months.

I don’t actually owe anyone anything. I’ve tried to please people my whole life.

I was afraid they would leave me if I wasn’t the funniest, most cheerful person, but that didn’t matter in the end.

My mother has her own demons she needs to work through.

I’m also not obligated to forgive her. She chose to curse me and then she chose to run away from the consequences of her actions.

Piper loving me unconditionally made me realize that I don’t have to put up with scraps.

“Have a safe trip, Mother. Thank you for stopping by.”

Bianca hesitates for a moment, and then nods, as if she knows that’s as good as she’s going to get.

“Congratulations again. I hope…” she trails off, as if she has no idea what she hopes for.

Reconciliation, peace, forgiveness. “Yes. Well, take care.” With those parting words, she turns around and leaves the party.

Piper sinks against my side as soon as my mother disappears through the door. “I’m sweating. Why was that so tense? She’s not even my mother?”

“Oh, but she is your mother-in-law.” I chuckle when Piper gives me a stricken look.

“Don’t worry, they rarely come to town. I have a feeling they’ll be visiting even less now.

” I pull her into my arms, dragging a hand down her back and leaning in to kiss her.

I’ve probably kissed her a thousand times since my curse was broken, but it’s never enough.

Each brush of her lips against mine feels like a gift.

“I love you,” I murmur and kiss her again.

“I love you, too.” She sighs against my mouth. “By the way, have you heard from Stellan? I’m starting to worry something is really wrong.”

In all the craziness of the wedding, I completely forgot about him. Our friends gather around, wanting to check and see if everything is okay after my mother’s departure. Everyone has a drink in hand, except Odie. “You need a drink. Let me go get you something.”

Odie shakes her head. “No, I'm not drinking. Thanks.”

“What do you mean, you’re not drinking?” Bram frowns at Odie. It’s not that she’s a party girl, but she’s never walked away from a good time.

“We don’t need any designated drivers tonight. You can crash here.” I don’t know if Odie, or any of my friends, think they can’t stay at the chateau because I’m married now, but that’s nonsense.

Odie’s cheeks flush. “I’m just not drinking. Has anyone seen Stellan?”

Piper’s head is cocked and she’s watching Odie.

“No.” Ava frowns and pulls her phone out of her dress pocket. “I’ve been texting him since he no showed on the ceremony.” Ava gnaws on her lip.

Everyone’s frowning now. It’s not like Stellan to blow people off. He might be a giant goof, but he’s reliable. Ava calls her brother, her face growing tighter the longer the phone rings.

“Pick up,” Ava commands as she calls again.

“Wait, do you hear that?” I cock my head. It’s hard to hear over the noise of the party, but there’s a phone ringing and it’s getting closer.

I face the back door of the house, and a moment later, Stellan comes stumbling out.

“Crone’s sake. He’s already wasted. I’m going to strangle him,” Ava says, but Odie takes a step forward, her hand pressed to her mouth.

Stellan. She mouths his name, and then runs toward him.

“What’s happening?” Piper asks as we take off after Odie. Stellan falls to his knees, and Odie practically slides across the lawn to get down to him, staining her knees green.

Stellan looks up. His brown hair is matted to his head. It’s so dark I don’t realize at first that it’s blood. There’s a gash on the side of his head.

“What happened?” Ava reaches out to her brother. Odie has his head in her hands, trying to inspect the wound.

Stellan’s eyes are glazed as he stares at her. He blinks and looks up at his sister. “Who are all you people?”

The End