Lucky Charm (Reverse Fairytales Book 2)(67)

I recognized it as the pumpkin carriage that Daniel had magicked up a few months previously. Dean sat proudly wearing a white suit in the driver’s seat holding the reigns of six beautiful white horses.

I stepped up into the carriage and immediately we started to move. Taking Leo’s advice, I closed the curtains. Even though I could no longer see the crowds, I could hear them. The cheering was almost deafening, making me smile.

Even though I’d been taking a break from public view for the past couple of months, I knew that Silverwood’s universities and colleges were experiencing record numbers of Magi enrollments and the recruitment drive for the police had been hugely successful. The fear that the Magi would leave again after Cynder did, had not come to pass, and even more encouragingly, the Magi were still coming back into the kingdom. All in all, I had a lot to be grateful for.

Jenny had been right. Today was the beginning of a bright new future with Luca, and I could finally lay to rest everything that had happened in the past year. I ignored the pang that stabbed my heart at the thought of Cynder. He was gone for good.

The carriage came to a halt, and a guard opened the door for us. Daniel climbed out first to help my mother and Elise down the steps. Mother hurried into the cathedral to take her place, leaving just the three of us. Guards held up screens to allow us to get into the cathedral without being seen by the crowds. They might not have been able to see us, but they knew we were there. The screams and cheers were deafening as I climbed out of the carriage. After the wedding, the screens would be taken down, and Luca and I would walk back to the carriage in full view of everyone. For now, I was grateful for the privacy they afforded me. Elise fussed around me, pulling my dress straight and handing me my bouquet of white flowers tied in a gold ribbon. As I’d been very specific about not wanting a long train, she had nothing to hold behind me, so she went first, walking the huge aisle to the front. I heard the wedding march begin to play as she passed through the huge oak doors of the cathedral.

“Ready?” asked Daniel and he held out his arm to me.

“As I’ll ever be.”

I took a deep breath and together, we walked step by step towards my future husband.





The Wedding


I gave my broadest smile as I walked down the aisle. There were so many faces I recognized, including Luca’s family. Because of Luca’s dedication and hard work, Silverwood was now safe enough for Seraphia to attend the wedding, which pleased me no end. I’d not seen her, nor any of them since Cynder had taken me from their palace. If they held a grudge against me, they didn’t show it. Luca’s parents smiled with genuine happiness as I slowly walked past them.

At the front of the church stood Luca. I’d never seen him looking so utterly gorgeous. He was dressed smartly in his royal attire, but it was the look of joy on his face as he watched me walk up to him that topped any outfit.

Daniel kissed my cheek and passed my hand to Luca.

His hands were cold and clammy which I could understand. He looked as nervous as I felt. Getting married was nerve-wracking enough for anyone, but our wedding was being broadcast into the homes of everyone in Silverwood, not to mention the surrounding kingdoms. Outside the palace and the cathedral, huge screens had been erected so that those who had chosen to come out, could also watch. He must also know about the threat against us.

The priest began his speech, but I could barely hear it. I was too busy gazing up at the man who would stand by me for the rest of my life.

He smiled down as though everything was fine, but his pale face gave him away. I noticed a bead of sweat appear on his forehead. I hoped it was nerves and he was not coming down with something. I desperately wanted to ask him if he was alright, but I couldn’t interrupt the priest when hundreds of thousands of people were watching.

As the priest welcomed the people to the cathedral and introduced the reason we were all here, I took the time to really look at the man I was going to marry, the man I was going to grow old with. He truly was beautiful, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. On the surface, he seemed calm and collected, but I felt the slight tremor in his hand.

“Is there any reason that these two shouldn’t be joined in matrimony today? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The cathedral was deathly silent as everyone waited for someone to speak. Even the massive throng of people outside quietened down.

I looked out over the hundreds of people packed into the pews. My heart hammered, terrified that someone would say something to stop the wedding, and then it dawned on me that my fear was actually that someone wouldn’t. I’d spent nearly a year to get used to the fact that I was going to be Luca’s bride and now the time had come, Luca’s nerves were beginning to rub off on me. Was I ready? I wasn’t sure.

No one spoke, and so the priest continued.

“Luca James Alexander Phillip Tremaine do you take Charmaine Elizabeth Mary Annesley to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

As he looked at me, with fear rather than love in his eyes, I felt my stomach lurch. He’d dressed for the occasion, but now that I was looking at him, I saw he’d forgotten to shave, and his eyes were red as though he’d not slept well the night before. Could this just be nerves?

“I do.”

“And do you Charmaine Elizabeth Mary Annesley take Luca James Alexander Phillip Tremaine to be your lawfully wedded husband?”