The Bride Tournament (Hexed Hearts Book 1)(58)

Her heart beat fast. “When the mirror shattered, I bet it lifted the curse.”

“No one else will suffer Marie and Veronica’s fate.” Gerard rubbed her back. “You saved them.”

“If only we’d challenged her earlier.”

“The plan might have backfired and she could have killed you,” Gerard growled.

She didn’t feel better, despite his worried words. She’d carry the deaths of Marie and Veronica to her grave.

James turned to Ellie and bowed. “Milady, is there anything specific you’d like to wear? People you wish present?”

Ellie looked down at her torn frock and bare feet, some of the blood had dried and caked off. “I probably shouldn’t wear blood and gore to my own wedding. James, there’s a gown in the back room of the Tea Emporium that I’d like to wear.”

“You look great, no need to change,” Gerard piped in.

She elbowed him in the ribs. The ghost of a smile passed over James’s face.

“In addition, I would like a few of my family and friends present.”

“I’ll see to it, milady. Their names?” James shut the door behind him and led the way down the hall toward the stables.

Ellie relayed the names and addresses for her father, Rufus, and Rachel. Meera would have wanted to be here. She wiped away a sudden tear. The news would have to be relayed to Rufus and she wanted to be the one to do it. Gerard gripped her hand tight, offering her comfort.

“Thank you, James.” On impulse, she reached forward and gave the manservant a hug.

He stiffened in her embrace and patted her back.

“Yes, of course, milady.” James extricated himself from her tight grip with a purse of his lips. “Now, Your Highness, I assume your parents should be notified?”

“Oh, yes, they can come.” Gerard urged Ellie toward the chapel.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she bemoaned as he led them straight to the altar. “Eager much?”

He winked.

The chapel was already a bustle of motion as servants swept, wiped down pews, brought in cushions, candles, and flowers.

“Gerard.” Ellie placed a palm on his forearm and he stilled. “An hour of prep is nothing compared to a lifetime of joy. Patience.”

He paused mid-gesture, a spray of golden sparks frozen in the air. He dropped his hand and glitter rained across the floor like mist.

“You make a good point, you look a bit frightening—” he held up his hand when she made to argue “—you will always and forever look gorgeous to me. I want the memory of this night to be joyous and perfect for you. There’s some twigs stuck in your hair, a streak of ash on your cheek, and mud a foot high on your dress, not to mention the bucket of blood. Go change. I will patiently wait.”

Gerard kissed her brow.

“Thank you.” She pursed her lips in a small smile and skipped out of the chapel. A maid walked down the hallway. Ellie waved her down. “Excuse me, miss, I’m getting married in an hour and I need help cleaning myself up.”

***

The hour passed in a blur of motion, and still Gerard felt like it dragged on too long. We could have been married by now. Or better yet, I could have said screw it in the library and taken Ellie, damn the ceremony.

The castle staff had been prepared for a wedding within the week but a few of the last minute details had yet to be decided, as the bride was to be given options. Ellie, it seemed, didn’t give a fig what the chapel looked like, but his mother did.

As soon as the thought entered, he shoved it away. Ellie deserved a beautiful ceremony, a beautiful dress. A groom who wasn’t breathing down her nape with unquenched lust.

He cleared his throat in an attempt to calm his rampant blood flow. Adrenaline pumped and he wanted her here, now.

His father stood at the altar in his best dressing gown and a plain crown on his head. His mother paced at the back of the chapel, awaiting Ellie. She, too, had not changed out of her nightgown but wore her royal robe, complete with rabbit and mink fur. A circlet of diamonds spun in the air as she twirled the tiara with her magic.

Gerard tapped his foot.

Edward rested a palm on his bicep. “She’ll be here.”

He nodded at his best friend.

Ellie’s father sat at the back of the chapel and warily watched the queen pace. Like most of the crowd, he was in his pajamas. During their brief meeting, moments ago, Gerard came to the conclusion that even if he’d been given proper time to dress, Ellie’s father still would have shown up in his dressing gown.

Rufus, whose dear wife, Meera, had died tonight saving Ellie’s life, sat silent in a pew, eyes vacant and wet. Gerard had sent out guards to find Meera’s body. They’d brought her back to the castle—servants were cleaning her body and dressing her for the death rites. They were to have a formal death ceremony in two days.

But the older man was here for Ellie. Gerard clenched his fists. It took a strong man to be here right now.

Rachel, Ellie’s dear friend, bubbled with glee. “She’s getting married!” She wore street clothes, a plain dress and a leather belt. Rachel was the best dressed so far.

Pierce yawned and checked his pocket watch. “Two minutes, brother. Nervous?”

Gerard smirked at his younger brother.

“Because, I can walk you through bedding a female for the first time if you need me to.” Pierce dodged Gerard’s soft jab. “I have loads of practice.”