Marry or Kill

54

M I N A

As the week passed without Atticus's presence, a sense of calm settled over Sol like a tide. With a graceful spin, she admires the way my wedding dress cascades around me, the silk material flowing like liquid moonlight to the ground.

"You look beautiful," she says, applying blush onto my cheekbones with a soft swipe of her brush.

I can't help but offer a playful retort, a hint of humour lacing my words as I jest, "Would you like me to be a tomato?"

Sol chuckles softly, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "It's only the finishing touches," she assures me, her hands moving with practised ease.

"I'm nervous," I admit, my fingers trembling slightly as I nervously smooth the fabric of my dress.

Sol offers a sympathetic smile, her gaze softening with understanding. "I know, that's why you're getting so angsty," she says gently, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

It's more than just a union between Elias and I—it's a pivotal moment that will solidify the alliance with the East. The weight of responsibility hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the heady scent of anticipation as guests begin to gather for the ceremony.

Sol is radiant in her baby blue gown, the colour a perfect complement to her complexion. The dress, elegantly tailored, drapes over her figure with effortless grace, accentuating her slender frame and delicate features.

For the first time, she bears her arms, revealing the intricate marks that adorn her wrists.

With a final nod of approval, she steps back, allowing me to stand before the mirror and take in my reflection one last time.

The wedding dress drapes elegantly around me, the silk material flowing gracefully to the ground.

Every intricate detail, from the delicate lace to the shimmering embellishment makes me gasp.

I turn to Noah, who extends his arm for me to take. With a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, I loop my arm around his, feeling the reassuring strength of his presence beside me.

Together, we step out into the open, and the aisle unfurls before us like a pathway to destiny.

Overhead, strings of delicate fairy lights twinkle like stars in the night sky, casting a gentle, magical glow that illuminates the scene. The trees lining the aisle are adorned with strands of twinkling lights, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, creating a canopy of shimmering beauty overhead.

The atmosphere is suffused with the warm, flickering glow of countless candles, their flames casting dancing shadows that play across the surroundings, painting the air with a soft, golden hue.

The scent of burning wax mingles with the subtle fragrance of flowers, wafting gently on the breeze.

Elias's gaze is unwavering, fixed solely on me, as if the world around us fades into insignificance in comparison. His hair is neat as always, his outfit all black, as dark as his eyes when he watches me.

As our eyes meet, a surge of emotion courses through me, sending my heart racing within my chest. I can feel the intensity of his gaze, piercing through me with a depth of feeling that leaves me breathless.

My heart leaps in my throat.

As I stand before Elias, his eyes locked on mine, I can sense a myriad of emotions swirling within them—admiration, shock, and unmistakable lust that ignites a fire between us.

It's a gaze unlike any I've seen from him before, one that speaks volumes without a single word uttered.

With a steady hand, I produce the ring—a golden band adorned with a gleaming jade crystal, a symbol of our union and the strength of our love.

Elias hardly seems to breathe as I lift his hand.

With deliberate care, I slide the ring onto his ring finger.

"Thank you," Elias whispers, his voice barely audible amidst the hushed reverence of the room.

I nod in acknowledgment, my heart swelling with a mixture of emotions too complex to put into words.

As we stand before the priest, Elias and I recite our vows.

With each word spoken, I feel his gaze fixed upon me, his smile growing more pronounced with every promise made. "Today, I vow to fill your life with warmth and love. Since our first meeting, I've known, though perhaps not consciously, that I had loved you intensely. I never imagined I could feel such profound affection for someone until you came into my life," he breathes. "I love you, Mina."

My eyes spring with tears.

When he takes my hand in his, a gentle warmth spreads through me as his thumb traces soothing circles over my skin.

And then, as the priest pronounces us husband and wife, Elias takes my face in his hands and kisses me, his lips meeting mine in a tender embrace that speaks of a love deeper than words can express.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth and love of our friends and family, I know that I am exactly where I belong—wrapped in the arms of the man I love.

As we release our lips, the coolness of Elias's new ring touching my cheek, I turn to Sol. Her smile is bright, a reflection of the joy that fills the room. Beside her, Castiel stands, his whistle piercing through the air as applause erupts from our gathered friends and family.

Noah's smile is infectious, his eyes alight with happiness for us.

But it's Elias's mother who captures my attention next. Standing up, she bears a striking resemblance to her son, her features mirroring his. Her eyes are filled with pride and love as she looks upon us, her smile tender and filled with warmth.

"I love you," Elias whispers, his voice soft but filled with conviction. "So much."

Tears spring to my eyes at his words, emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "I love you, as well," I reply, my voice choked with emotion.

With a burst of excitement, I grab the bouquet of flowers and toss it into the air, the vibrant colours scattering like confetti as they soar above us.

Laughter bubbles up from deep within me as we begin to make our way down the steps, Elias's strong arms enveloping me in a tight embrace.

As we step off the last stair, Elias lifts me effortlessly into his arms. The world seems to blur around us as we walk, the cheers of our loved ones fading into the background as we move forward together.

With each step, the aisle stretches behind us, a path filled with memories of our past, but ahead lies a new future, one that we will carve out together.