Page 86 of The Christmas Trap

The chamber doors open.

Raya and Harper walk up the aisle. Dressed in satin, their smiles are too bright, as if they don’t quite believe this is happening. Once they reach the altar, they move to stand on the bride’s side, opposite James, my best man.

The doors open again.

Tiny strides down the aisle between the chairs. He’s wearing a black velvet harness trimmed with holly and silver ribbon.

The rings are secured at his chest like medals of honor.

Sighs and laughter ripples through the crowds.

When Lark proposed Tiny as ring bearer at our wedding. I agreed right away. She, of course, couldn’t resist dressing him up in festive fashion.

“Go, Tiny.” James chuckles from next to me.

The Great Dane ambles forward with calm authority. He makes it to me without getting distracted.

I kneel, pocket the rings, then pat him. “You did good, partner.”

He woofs, then parks his butt down and thumps his tail.

I straighten as the doors swing open a third time, and the world stops.

She’s there.Lark.

A shaft of sunlight slants through the arched windows, catching in her hair, turning the pale silk of her dress into something almost luminous. For a moment, my lungs forget how to work. I’ve spent years commanding boardrooms, entire companies, entire futures. Yet, one woman in white brings me to my knees without lifting a finger.

James leans slightly toward me. “You’re a lucky bastard.” I don’t look away from her long enough to answer.

Lark’s gaze never leaves mine as she moves up the aisle. Her mother sniffles from the front row. Her father beams. It feels symbolic that he’s not giving her away. She’s choosing. Choosing me.

And God help me, the weight of that nearly undoes me.

The rows are filled: Nathan and Skylar are glowing. Arthur looks smug with Imelda at his arm.

Tiny is next to me.

Quentin and Vivian, composed as ever, Knox with June, warm and smiling. Also, Tyler and Priscilla, as well as Connor and his wife Phoenix. Sinclair Sterling, our family friend, and his wife Summer are in attendance with their son.

Adrian and Toren, are here. Ryot can’t attend as he’s on a tour with his wife, the Princess Aurelia. Though her brother, the crown prince Viktor Verenza is in attendance.

There’s a woof, then Tiny ambles over to Lark, his claws tapping on the floor.

"Aww, Tiny." Lark scratches behind his ear. Tiny waves his flagstaff tail. When she straightens and begins to walk, Tiny is by her side. Laughter rolls through the assembled people.

She comes to a halt in front of me. Through her mini veil, her eyes shine up at me. With her lush lips, the radiant column of her neck, and her proud curves shown off to perfection by the lace and satin, she’s a dream come true.

My heart begins to beat fast. My pulse rate is unsteady. I hadn’t realized until this moment how significant this moment is for me.

The registrar begins to speak, his voice echoing through the chamber. I stand rooted, fists clenching and unclenching at my sides, as if that will keep me steady.

When I say, “I do,” the words leave me raw, rough-edged. They don’t sound romantic. They sound like an oath. A contract I’ll bleed before I break. How strange. It’s just a ceremony. These are only words. They shouldn’t affect me so much.

When it’s her turn, her voice trembles, but her eyes never waver. When she whispers, “I do,” I feel the ground shift under me.

I slide the wedding ring onto her ring finger. It’s a rose gold band which forms a set with the engagement ring.

I hand her a coordinating platinum band, and she slips it onto mine.