Page 190

Twenty-Nine

Marry Us

I ’m exhausted and covered in blood, so I don’t even think twice about my men’s choice not to join me in the shower.

We got back just after sunrise, so the heat is slowly increasing as I strip off and get into the shower.

Leaning into the wall, I let it wash me clean, and when I step out, I dress with a frown…

Why didn’t they join me? They take every opportunity to feel me up. Fuck, are they up to something bad?

Probably, they promised me something was happening. Ripping open the door, I narrow my eyes as I hunt for them, but they aren’t in the room. Storming into the bedroom, I freeze at the material on the bed, along with a note.

I pick it up, and my mouth drops open.

Mia Alma, soulmate, angel, baby girl, sweet cheeks,

We are yours and you are ours, but we want everyone to know. You never had a family or a traditional life growing up, and we want to give you that. We want to show everyone just how much we love you and plan to spend the rest of our lives together.

So, will you marry us…again?

If yes, wear the outfit and meet us by the tree for our wedding ceremony, Tazanna Worth.

Love,

Your Champions

I drop the note and stare at the fabric, leaning over and fingering it. I can’t help but laugh as my heart soars. They want to marry me again? Do it legit this time? And the best bit? They didn’t pick a dress.

No, they picked leather. Leather trousers, a corset top with buckles for knives, and a white puffy shirt underneath. There is a black lace cape that looks like it clips onto the shoulders with a pin. I can’t help but stare at it—it’s our symbol, my symbol…ours.

Tears fill my eyes as I stare. They planned this? They planned a wedding for me? It’s never something I thought I needed, but looking at the note, I realise I do. I want to stand before everyone and vow to love them for always. I want to watch them celebrate our love.

The time for pain and hate has passed. Now, it is time for hope and love.

A knock comes at the door, and it swings open. “Okay, hot stuff, let’s do this!”

I move to the other room with a bounce to see Piper. She frowns at me. “You’re not dressed yet? God, they said you would need help. Don’t worry, I won’t look much.” She winks as I just gape at her.

“What?” I ask, confused.

She props her hands on her hips and grins. “They’d never been to a wedding either. We had them all the time in Paradise, so I helped. I’m here to get you dressed and do your hair. It’s a tradition as maid of honour.”

“Maid of honour?” I echo, just repeating everything in shock.

She claps with a grin. “I’m so honoured you asked,” she squeals, making me grin, and she drops the crazy for a moment. “They are waiting for you, my queen, are you ready to marry them…again?”

“Always.” I nod, and she sniffs.

“God, that’s beautiful. All right, hottie, let’s cover you in leather that they will rip off of you later.” She rushes to the bedroom, and I follow after her.

“Piper, what about all my people and the trade route—”

She turns with flare. “No work on your wedding day. Everyone knows, and they are all invited. Don’t believe me?

Look out of the window. Everyone is here from all four corners of The Wastes to see their queen get married.

” She steps closer and grasps my hands. “This is about more than just you. This ceremony brings them hope. Hope for a better future where marriages are normal, and so is love. Today is the start of the new beginning, and as you say ‘I do,’ they will know this world is more than a wasteland. It’s a community, a place of happiness, even in the sand and heat. ”

I’m speechless as she hugs me. “You’ve done so much for everyone, your men wanted to do this for you. They are also possessive and think it means men and women will stop wanting you, but I’ve told them I will still have you in my wank bank,” she assures me.

I laugh and push her away. “They want this, everyone?” I frown.

“Worth, they are used to accusations and death, this? This is something new, and they are excited to see their badass leader walk down that aisle. So let’s make you look like the queen you are.”

I lick my lips and nod. “Then let’s do this.”

“That’s the spirit!” She claps. “Oh, talking of spirits, I snuck some in. It’s tradition,” she informs me, as she pulls a bottle from her bag and takes a swig before passing it to me. Grinning, I take a drink and watch as she starts to get everything ready.

“Piper?” I call, and she hums but carries on.

“Will you ask Nan to walk me down the aisle? And will you be with us?”

She freezes before turning her head to look at me. Her eyes are filled with tears, so I step closer. “You are my family, my sister, and Nan is family too, even if she is cranky… I wish Major was here to give me away, but I can’t think of two better people.”

“Yes,” she whispers, and turns away with a choked laugh. “Fuck, I think it’s supposed to be the bride crying on the wedding day, not me. All right, let me get her. You get dressed, and no swords, okay? Just the knives for today.”

She spanks me as she passes, and when the door shuts, a wide grin covers my face as I finger the butterfly necklace around my neck. “It got better, Major, like you always said it would. I miss you today, old man, but I know you are with me, walking me down the aisle.”

Dropping the necklace, I look at the clothes. “Let’s do this. Let’s get married,” I whisper to no one, but my heart flips at the word, and a happiness like I have never known before fills me.

Last night was dark and bleak, but the sun rose, and with it, the light brought new possibilities and new happiness, if only we are strong enough to take it.

I am, and I always will be.

Because no matter how long or how bad the night seems…that sun will always rise, every day, and you are never alone. Not in this magnificent world filled with such beauty and happiness. If you remember to look for the light, you will always find it.

They are my light, and today, I will stand before my people and declare them mine.

I’m dressed, and Piper is putting on the final touches. She clips on the cape, which flows like water down my back to the floor behind me, and I realise images of crowns, swords, and my symbol are interwoven into the material again.

They had this made for me.

The corset cinches in my waist, the knives there gleaming, and the trousers look painted on.

I am wearing my usual kickass boots. I look regal, like a Viking queen.

Piper also managed to tame my hair, and it hangs around my shoulders in waves, some of it plaited with what looks like jewels interwoven so it sparkles.

“Kneel,” she instructs, so I do, and she places the crown on my head.

Standing, I look into the mirror and see me, but a better version.

A true queen ready to marry her kings.

“You were always a queen, Worth. You just look it now,” she comments, like she can hear my thoughts.

“She looks too fookin’ clean, rub some dirt on ’er.” Nan cackles and, with a grin, I turn to her.

“Shut it, old lady, I’m all regal and shit,” I retort, then I grab the bottle we are sharing and down some.

“Oh, aye, so queenly.” She laughs, even as tears fill her eyes. “Ya look beautiful, lass.”

“Are you crying, you old bitch?” I laugh.

“No, something flew in my eye,” she snaps.

“Uh-huh, you’re crying, admit it,” I tease.

“No am fookin’ not,” she snarls, yanking out her gun and pointing it at me. “Say it again and I will shoot ya, understood?”

Grinning, I push the gun aside and hug her. She freezes before she melts, both of us unused to showing weakness. “Thank you for walking me down the aisle.”

“We are family, kid. It should be Major, but I will do it for him. He would be so happy for you…and so am I, kid. Ya done well, am so fookin’ proud,” she murmurs as we embrace.

“I love ya, kid. I’m honoured ta walk you to your men.

” She pulls back and points in my face. “Tell anyone I said that, and I will kill ya.”

“Got it.” I laugh before looking at Piper. “Ready if you guys are.”

“Then let’s get this bang train moving!” she calls.

“Bang train?” I reply.

“Yeah, cho-cho, all aboard the cock train! We all know that’s where this will lead to, after all,” she jokes.

Rolling my eyes, I follow after her with Nan in tow.

“She ain’t wrong. Fuck those boys real good for me, let ma live through ya.” Nan offers with a belly laugh.

“You are both weirdos,” I mutter.

As we head downstairs and outside, nerves fill me, nerves that won’t stop until I see my men.

The Ring is quiet and empty, which is strange as Piper leads me around back to the tree, and then she stops me there.

“Okay, I go first. Are you ready? It’s not too late to run away and elope with me,” she teases.

“You couldn’t handle me,” I fire back, and she sighs.

“I know, but it was worth a shot.” She stands taller. “Wedding time, let’s do this.” She turns and steps out.

Music starts, making my mouth drop out. It’s sounds like someone is singing, but there is some form of guitar as well, and I look at Nan to confirm. “It’s Jon, seems the young en likes to play.”

She steps up next to me, claps my arm, and watches me. “Are you ready for the beginning of the rest of your life?”

The words are loaded, but I know she didn’t mean them to be. This is the end of my old life and the start of my new life… Am I ready?

“Yes,” I murmur, and together, we step out from behind the building.

Laughter starts up, and when I spot why, I begin to laugh too. Bern is skipping down the aisle in a tiny frilly dress, throwing what looks like leaves down behind him. The gathered warriors howl and shout lewd comments as I stand there with such a wide smile it feels like it might break.

Is this the happiness I deserve for a lifetime of pain? If so, it’s worth it. I would take a thousand years at Ivar’s hands, a thousand fights to make it to this moment. Happiness always eclipses pain if you let it.