Chapter 245
Soren
I’m standing at the altar, waiting. My hands are clasped behind my back, though my fingers itch to fidget. This isn’t like me–I don’t get nervous. I’ve fought battles, faced death, and dealt with betrayal from those I trusted. But this moment? It feels monumental in a way I can’t put into words.
My eyes flick toward the rows of guests. They’re all here- friends, council members who once questioned my authority and even enemies as I notice King Alaric at the back, my guards surrounding him but keeping their distance. Damian stands by my side, and I catch the slight quirk of his lips, the silent support in his presence. My father sits with Max, who’s squirming impatiently in his seat, trying to peer down the aisle, the rings on a pillow in his lap. I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips when I see him. Despite everything, my son is here, safe and whole.
And then, the music begins.
The soft strains of the piano play around us and every head turns toward the entrance. My breath catches in my throat, and for a moment, the world stills.
There she is.
Aubrey.
She steps into the courtyard, and it’s as if the air shifts around her, bending to her presence. She’s radiant, breathtaking in a
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way that defies description. Her gown is elegant and timeless, a cascade of ivory silk that flows around her. Delicate lace frames her shoulders and arms, and the intricate beadwork catches the light with every step she takes, glimmering like stars woven into the fabric.
Her hair is swept up, a few violet loose strands framing her face, and her veil trails behind her like a whisper of clouds. My mother nearly pitched a fit when Aubrey came out with her rainbow hair, but it was the first thing I noticed about her that day she brought Max home, so when I saw the boxes of dye in the bathroom, to change it back to her natural color I tossed them and got a hairdresser in. Wanting her as I knew her, not who she was before me.
But it’s her eyes that capture me–bright, wide, and
shimmering with unshed tears. They lock onto mine, and in that instant, everything else fades away. Every problem, every nuance. It’s just me and her.
My chest tightens as I take her in, and I realize that this
moment–this woman–has changed me in ways I never thought possible.
I’ve loved before. I’ve known what it’s like to be consumed by the intensity of a mate bond, to feel the unbreakable pull that ties two souls together. Jacinta was my mate, my heart, and her death shattered me in ways I didn’t think I could survive. I thought I’d spend the rest of my life carrying that broken heart, that void she left behind.
But Aubrey.
Aubrey didn’t just fill that void. She pieced me back together, one shard at a time. She saw the broken man I was and loved
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me anyway despite her best efforts to keep her distance. She didn’t complete me in the way a mate bond does–she didn’t need to. What we have is something deeper, something built on choice, trust, and an unshakable connection that goes beyond instinct.
Jacinta will always have a part of me. She was my first love, my mate, and I will carry her memory with me for the rest of my life. But Aubrey is the woman who made me want to live again, who made my heart beat frantically when for so long I wished it would stop.
And now, watching her walk toward me, I know with absolute certainty that this is where I’m meant to be. That no matter how we got here, no matter the lies or the mistakes, this was always the outcome. I was always going to marry her.
My throat tightens as she gets closer, her steps slow and measured, her hand resting lightly on her father’s arm.
As she reaches the altar and her father steps away, leaving her to stand before me, I feel a wave of emotion so powerful it nearly brings me to my knees.
I take her hands in mine, and the warmth of her touch grounds me, steadying the storm of feelings swirling in my chest. Her hands tremble slightly, and I squeeze them gently, silently telling her I’m here, that I always will be.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper, my voice rough with emotion.
A soft blush rises to her cheeks, and she smiles. “You don’t look so bad yourself, your Majesty,” she teases, her voice trembling just enough to betray the nerves she’s trying to hide.
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I can’t help but chuckle, the sound low and filled with affection. “And this King needs his Queen.”
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I lift her hand to my lips, pressing a soft kiss to her fingers, and in that moment, I know I’d do anything for her. Anything to keep her safe, to make her happy, to give her the life she deserves.
The officiant begins to speak, but the words blur in my mind. All I can focus on is her–her face, her smile, the way her eyes never leave mine. When it’s time for our vows, I take a deep breath, letting the weight of the moment settle over me.
“I never thought I’d get to feel this again,” I say, my voice steady despite the emotion’s threatening to overwhelm me. “From the moment I met you, you turned my world upside down. You challenged me, pushed me, and made me see the world in ways I never had before. You’ve given me more than I ever thought I deserved, Aubrey. You’ve shown me that love isn’t just about bonds or destiny–it’s about choice. And I 、 choose you. Today, tomorrow, and every day after that.” Max offers the pillow and I slip the ring on her finger.
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Her lips tremble as tears spill over, but she doesn’t look away. When she speaks her vows, her voice is soft but steady, each word wrapping around my heart.
There’s a moment of silence as the weight of our vows settles over us and Aubrey’s hands shake as she puts the ring on mine. Then, the officiant speaks again.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife-”
When the officiant declares us husband and wife, I don’t wait for permission. I pull her into my arms, capturing her lips in a
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kiss that speaks every word I don’t say aloud. She is mine.
The guests erupt into cheers and applause, but all I hear is the steady beat of her heart, the soft sigh that escapes her as she melts against me.
As we pull apart, I rest my forehead against hers, my hands cradling her face. “You’re my forever,” I whisper, and she smiles, her tears mingling with mine.
In this moment, surrounded by light and love, I know one thing for certain: Jacinta may have broken my heart when she died, but Aubrey is the woman who made it whole again. And for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel like I’ve found my home. Only it was never here in the castle, it wasn’t a place. Home is her.
Chapter 246
