Page 6

PIPER

I should be more nervous, but I’m only anxious because I can’t stop thinking that Tucker is one second from bursting through the chapel doors. It’s nonsense, of course. He’s still stuck in his house back in Mystic Hollows, but until Ambrose and I exchange vows, I won’t be able to relax.

Mabel has our rings and we’re waiting for the wedding that’s taking place to finish up.

It’s silly, but taking off the ring felt wrong.

As if it should be permanently fused on my skin.

The inscription is too much, and I should have picked another ring, but it’s beautiful.

Even if someday it'll just become a token to remember what Ambrose did for me, I love it.

“Nervous.” Ambrose nudges my side. He looks calm and not at all tired.

I’m sure I look a mess. It’s been over twenty-four hours since I’ve slept.

I didn’t brush my hair out after it dried from the rain.

I really want to wash the plane ride off and brush my teeth, but it was more important that we get this done first. Not that the wedding will fully take care of my problem.

I cringe when I think about the next conversation I need to have with Ambrose.

That’s going to be awkward, and maybe a step too far.

It’s deceptive of me not to tell him about what else needs to be done, but I was afraid if he knew, he’d say no to this whole marriage.

“No. Are you?”

Ambrose stops and thinks through his response before he speaks. “Surprisingly, no. Watch out, Piper, I might end up being a jealous husband. I’m sure I’ll be a horrible one at any rate.”

“There’s nothing you have to be jealous about,” I murmur.

Literally.

There’s no one who has ever been interested in me.

Not really. No one has ever stolen my heart.

I glance over at Mabel, who’s wiping down the glass counter that has no smudges whatsoever.

Ambrose just bought our rings and paid for the gold wedding package.

I tried to pay, but he scoffed and told me he had to be good for something.

I don’t like that at all. As if his only worth is in his money.

I tug on the front of Ambrose’s sweater, and he leans down. He’s so tall. He must be at least six-foot-three. A smile brightens his face as though he’s intrigued. I lick my dry lips, and his eyes drop to my mouth.

“There’s something I didn’t tell you.”

His grin grows wider, and I cringe.

“Oh, Piper, I’m aware that there are a lot of things you haven’t told me.”

His fingers snake around my waist, and I grow lightheaded. He smells so good, like a heady cologne. Even though we’ve been traveling and I know he didn’t stop to spray himself with anything.

“I mean, about this wedding. And after.”

Ambrose steps forward. He pulls me closer at the same time. My hands press against his chest and there isn’t even room for the Crone between us. “What are your secrets, Piper? I’m all ears.”

I stare at his chest, unable to look him in the eyes. “We have to consummate the wedding in order to…” I choke on my words because I can’t tell him why. Ambrose’s fingers squeeze my waist and concern replaces his glee. Whether it’s over my sudden shivers or my words, I don’t know.

“Consummate?”

“Bobby’s ready, y’all! Let’s get you two married.” Mabel swoops in and grabs Ambrose, practically shoving him toward the chapel. He shoots me a bewildered look, but then grins at me. Mabel slides the glass door open and pushes him down the aisle.

“Now it’s the bride’s turn.” Mabel swings her attention back to me and stares at me with her hands on her ample hips.

She nods before dipping out of view behind another counter and popping back up with a tiny veil and a bouquet of purple heliotrope.

They’re plastic and an odd choice. I would have imagined she’d have a bouquet of roses or lilies or something along those lines.

“Here. These will be perfect. They symbolize eternal love and devotion, you know.” She presses the fake flowers into my hands.

“Aren’t they poisonous?”

“Dear, they’re plastic. You’ll be just fine.” Mabel chuckles and begins pinning a tiny birdcage veil in my hair. It falls just below my eyes. It’s very reminiscent of the forties.

I look down at the flowers. I wasn’t going to eat them, but I can’t help but wonder about the symbolism. They represent a deep love but are also deadly.

“You’re a vision. Let’s get you married.” Mabel has tears swimming in her eyes when she looks at me. She must love her job, because I’m just some stranger she met thirty minutes ago. Not to mention, I’m wearing drawstring pants and a sweatshirt.

Mabel takes me by the shoulders and guides me through the glass doors.

With a nod, music starts playing. Her son is picking a sweet song on his guitar, and he’s actually a good musician.

My gaze lifts, and I find Ambrose waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

He’s still in his jeans and blue sweater, but it’s the challenging look on his face that draws me in.

I can practically hear him saying, “Are you going to run? Because that would be so embarrassing for me.”

He hasn’t snuck out the back door, despite the bomb I dropped on him just moments before.

I lift my chin, roll my shoulders back, and take a step forward.

Toward my future. It might not be what I dreamed of, but at least this is my choice.

One of only a handful of times I’ve taken control of my own life and tried to change things.

It takes effort not to hurry down the aisle. I try to slow my steps, but I still walk at a fast clip. Ambrose is grinning at me when I quickly reach his side.

“In a hurry?” he murmurs as his eyes drift over the veil. “I like this.”

My cheeks heat with a blush, and I hate how my body betrays me. A simple compliment and I’m lighting up like a Christmas tree.

“We are gathered here today to join these two gorgeous creatures in holy matrimony.” Bobby’s voice booms out as though the pews are full and it’s not just Mabel and her son. Ambrose’s mouth twitches at the words “gorgeous creatures,” and I find myself smiling back.

“Take her hands, man. Act like you love her.” Bobby pries my bouquet from my fingers and the blood rushes out of my head, making me feel woozy.

There isn’t love here. This is all a means to an end, but it feels like a lie, and I don’t like that.

Ambrose slides his hands under mine, grounding me, and sending warmth into my body.

Sparks of magic zip from his fingers into mine.

I don’t know if he did that on purpose or not.

When I lift my gaze to his, the usual playfulness is gone. Maybe this really is too much to ask.

Bobby says a bunch of stuff that I miss, but then Ambrose is speaking. “I, Ambrose Roth, take thee Piper Beaumont to be my lawfully wedded wife.”

Bobby hands over the ring and Ambrose slips it onto my finger. There’s a rush of magic that pulses out from my finger when the ring slides on. I gasp, jerking my head up. Ambrose is already looking at me, that smile back in place.

“That was unexpected,” he whispers, and then Bobby is nudging me.

“Your turn, darling. Repeat after me. I, Piper Beaumont, take thee Ambrose Roth to be my lawfully wedded husband.”

Bobby hands over the ring, and I slip it on Ambrose’s finger. There’s another, more powerful blast of magic. I sway from the whoosh of power that buzzes through me, but Ambrose has my hands tightly gripped in his.

“Oh, shucks. I forgot to ask if anyone objects.” Bobby chuckles and cranes his neck to look around the room as if more people showed up.

I know he’s joking, but a sudden bolt of panic has me looking around, too.

My heart beats against my ribs, stealing my breath away.

We’re so close, it would be my luck that everything falls apart here.

“No one’s objecting, Piper. We’re good,” Ambrose says.

“Maybe you should have objected,” I whisper.

He squeezes my fingers and shakes his head. “I never turn my back on my friends.”

Ambrose’s face is close, his eyes looking almost golden as he stares at me. I nod, and then he offers me a radiant smile.

Bobby slaps his hands on our shoulders. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss each other like no one’s watching.”

For the first time, Ambrose’s good humor disappears. Sure, he just drove for miles, flew for hours, and hasn’t slept in a day, but this is the first time he looks put out.

He doesn’t want to kiss me. He won’t want to sleep with me either. This is not going to work.

Ambrose leans down and my stomach flips. Maybe it won’t be a problem. My nerves jangle and bounce around in anticipation.

Ambrose is going to kiss me.

My head falls back, and I nearly close my eyes, but then Ambrose turns his head and brushes a kiss against my cheek. That stings more than it should. Why would he kiss me in front of Bobby, Mabel, and her son? Why would he kiss me at all?

This is going to make the next part of this plan so damn awkward.

“We don’t want to scandalize Bobby.” Ambrose turns his blinding grin on the man who just married us, but I see straight through the facade. Bobby just chuckles and shakes his head.

“You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen. Now you two go. You’re going to do just fine. I can tell.”