Page 87 of Sire

He brushes our lips together. “But as my queen, I’ll serveyou. I’ll share you with the kings, butonlythe kings. They care for you, too. They’ll protect you and never hurt you. So, if you want to explore your fantasies, explore them with us.”

“But what aboutyourfantasies?”

“My only fantasy is to make you MY wife.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

WREN

Walking down the aisle,I have to blink back tears.

Sire said he had everything planned, and as always, he keeps his vows.

Golden candelabras flicker on the stairs to the pulpit. The chapel lights are dimmed. Blue hydrangea petals blanket the aisle runner. Glass votives flicker beside empty pews. Large sprays of my favorite blue flowers bloom with white roses, spilling in arrangements behind my handsome groom, while my small bouquet shakes in my excited hands.

This is what Sire’s mom can do on a moment’s notice, and she honors me by giving me away, too.

“You go on and cry, because my mascara is already shot all to hell,” Nadine side-whispers. With her arm hooked in mine, she escorts me down the aisle. “I swear, you, my son, and your love are sweeter than baby’s breath.”

“Thank you.” I try not to choke up. “Thank you so much for everything.”

This morning, Nadine met me at a wedding dress shop, where she had already chosen a dozen gowns in my size for me.

“We don’t have time for major alterations,” she said. “So, I hope you don’t mind. I picked one in almost every style.”

I didn’t mind. I was touched. Delphine joined us. So did Zar. It was my first time meeting him. He’s all tall, dark, and handsome with Texas swagger. And he really loved the simple, strapless white lace gown I chose.

“Darlin’, Disney can go to sleep,” Zar drawled. “Because you are a true princess.”

“So chic. So elegant,” Delphine agreed. “The tiny bodice with the long train, and the color against your glowing skin?Oui, tu es belle.You will wear a veil, no?”

Yes, I’m wearing my hair down and pinned back with a long, white lace cathedral veil sweeping behind me. I didn’t want a judging audience of parishioners at our wedding, but I wanted to give Sire something traditional. Something to respect his calling.

Slowly, I march his way, and he must like it.

He stands at the altar in the dark grey suit I love, quickly swiping away a tear.

Don’t.He makes my tears escape, too, streaming to my smile.

I don’t recognize the beautiful song the acoustic guitar musician is playing. But I recognize Sire’s brothers and their queens. I’m surprised they aren’t sitting in his row, all on the groom’s side.

Fighting a sob, I chew my trembling lip because…

Sire knew my side would be empty.

I have no one else.

So, Nash, Grant, Delphine, and Zar stand on my side like my honored attendants, while Axel, Jace, Loch, and that must be Nick—God, he’s cute—stand with Sire.

The guitar fades when I stand before him, my heart fluttering like a leaf. The minister in her black suit and white shawl tenderly asks, “Who presents this bride?”

“We do.” Nadine cups my hand. “We’ll never give Wren away. She’s our family forever.”

Family.

Forever.

All the times I was given away and not wanted. All the school events when no one came to see me. Every time I saw a mother hug her child, and I had no one.