Ash's Place

Chapter 12

Ash's POV

"I don't think I can go in there," I whisper to Finn.

Scoffing, he says, "Lady Locklynn can take on four people at once and beat all of them with her magic alone but is scared to marry a man who is obviously smitten with her?"

"Yes."

"Wow, and she is honest this evening," he teases but when he looks at my face and sees the unshed tears welling in my eyes, he softens, "You don't need to be afraid, I will be by your side during the entire ceremony, and I will be with you tomorrow."

He gently takes my hands in his, and I feel some of my anxiety lessen at his touch, "If anyone can do this, it would be you, Ash. Lord Canmore obviously likes you so let's walk in there and you hold your head high. As you reminded him this morning, you are not afraid to be yourself."

Unconvinced by his pretty speech, I sigh so he continues, "Will you make me a promise this time?"

I nod my head and he says, "Promise me that you won't stop being yourself. Ever. Because who you are right now is simply amazing."

I offer him a wobbly smile, "I promise."

Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand back in the crook of his arm and nodded for him to knock on the doors to the high hall.

He raps his knuckles twice against the large doors and they swing open with a gentle grace.

The King's voice echoes from his temporary throne placed atop the dais, "Enter my daughter, Lady Ashlee Locklynn."

Finn and I step into the high hall, the aroma of the cascading flowers hitting my nose with their beautiful sweetness. We slowly move down the aisle, allowing me to truly appreciate the decorating that has happened while I have been getting ready. White tulle with loose fairy lights have been strung between the massive white columns that line the sides of the room. The flowers travel down each of the columns in an array of purple, yellow, and white. Their petals scatter along the ground, making the floor seem more like outside than in but I love it.

I offer Xander a smile as we approach, and he gives me a small wave in return, making my smile grow a little wider at the nontraditional gesture. Standing at the bottom of the dais, he is wearing a black suit that has been trimmed with purple and silver along the cuffs, matching his tie. Looking over him, the King and Queen are sitting gracefully on their thrones, their matching crowns adorning their heads.

The Queen's mark on her forehead is completely gone, shocking me more than the fact that I am getting married right now because it means the King actually allowed a healer to tend to her. But I guess preventing her from attending my wedding or celebration or having her have marks on her face would raise more questions than the King is comfortable with.

Aiden is standing off to the left of Xander and looks especially disengaged with the entire process. His silver hair is messily arranged on his head, falling into his face in blatant rebellion against the King's definite instruction to appear nice. Just in case Aiden is not doing it on purpose, I send out a discreet strand of magic that gently brushes his hair out of his face. He startles at the touch of my magic against his forehead, deciding to finally look at me, and for the first time in my entire life, he actually looks happy to see me.

A heartbeat later, I hear his voice in my head, 'You actually look beautiful tonight, big sister.'

I smile brightly at the extraordinarily rare compliment from my brother, 'Thanks. And you look pretty good yourself, little brother.'

He winks at me, and I shake my head at him, but I know there is a huge smile on my face. I return my attention to my almost-husband and feel myself blushing at the intensity of his gaze. His hazel eyes are sparking with something almost akin to love which makes my heart skip a few beats in my chest. I am close enough now to see his facial features and mentally thank my parents for choosing someone so handsome. Finn and I stop right in front of him, and I step to Xander's side as Finn dips into a low bow at the waist. Xander quickly releases him from his bow and Finn offers both of us a smile before stepping to my side.