Tangled In Vengeance

Chapter 22: Isabella Continued

His fingers intertwine with mine, and he leads me closer to the makeshift altar. His hand is steady, squeezing mine reassuringly as if to say, 'We're in this together.' 

The priest clears his throat, signaling the beginning of the ceremony, and the soft murmur of our small assembly quiets.

"Dear friends," the priest begins, his voice resonating in the room. "We are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses to join Damien and Isabella in matrimony, which is an honorable estate. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

I stand beside Damien with my hand in his as the priest invites an objection that will not come. I find myself comforted by the pressure of his hand and the concern in his eyes that meets mine.

 He gives me a slight, reassuring nod, and my heart flutters with a mixture of anxiety and something akin to hope.

"Repeat after me," the priest says. "I, Damien," he prompts, and Damien repeats in a strong, clear voice that counters the fragility of the moment. "I, Damien, take you, Isabella, to be my lawfully wedded wife."

The priest turns to me, and my heart races as I echo. "I, Isabella, take you, Damien, to be my lawfully wedded husband."

Damien continues, his voice steady. "To have and to hold, from this day forward."

My voice wavers with emotion as I vow. "To have and to hold, from this day forward."

"For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health," the priest leads Damien through the promise that feels heavier with each word.

Following in turn, I commit. "For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health."

Damien's eyes lock with mine. "To love and to cherish, till death do us part."

My throat tightens as I reciprocate the solemn oath. "To love and to cherish, till death do us part."

"According to God's holy ordinance, and thereto, I pledge myself to you," the priest continues.

Together, we speak, strength found in unity. "According to God's holy ordinance, and thereto, I pledge myself to you."

The priest gestures towards Damien, and with a fluent motion, he turns to face Victor, who holds out a small velvet box. Damien opens it to reveal our rings. My ring, a diamond wedding band, glistens with an array of intricately cut gems. 

It's an elegant ensemble, where each diamond, pristine and ethereal, is meticulously set in a band of polished platinum, reflecting the light with every subtle motion of my hand. 

The edges are soft and delicately carved to accentuate the stones, promising a comfortable embrace around my finger.

Damien's band is no less striking, yet it speaks of his character, being notably plain, robust, and timeless, with a finish that evokes strength and a lifetime of durability.

 In its simplicity lies its beauty, and a part of me thrills at the thought of these rings symbolizing our union. They're beautiful. Evidence of a sentiment that might grow in the long term.

The priest continues. "Damien, do you take Isabella to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Damien says firmly, his voice carrying a solemn promise.

The priest then turns to me, repeating the question. "Isabella, do you take Damien to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, for as long as you both shall live?"

I open my mouth to speak, but as I look into Damien's eyes, I find myself getting lost in them. They hold a depth of emotion and a silent conviction that we can make it through whatever lies ahead. 

My surroundings begin to dissolve, the voice of the priest a distant echo as I stand there, gazing into the eyes of the man who is all at once a stranger and yet my rock in this stormy moment. The priest clears his throat, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"I do," I whisper.

Damien takes the ring from the velvet box, and with a tenderness that contradicts his steady hands, he slides it onto my finger. It's a perfect fit, snug against my skin.

I, in turn, take his ring and, with slight trembling from the rush of emotions, place it on his finger. It sits there, a declaration of our commitment, simple yet so profound.

The priest looks at us with a smile. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Damien's eyes meet mine with a spark of mischief and challenge in them. He smiles, a captivating, heart-stopping smile before he leans down and captures my lips with his. The kiss, wild and unrestrained, ignites a fire within me. 

It's passionate and full of a heat that surely isn't suitable for the eyes of our audience. At this moment, Damien doesn't care, and neither do I. His lips assert his claim over me in front of everyone here, especially his mother and sister. 

As we break away, breathless and flushed, I understand. This is Damien making it known that I am his, now and forever.

This journey to the altar wasn't one paved with the dreams of a young girl filled with tales of romantic love. It was one of necessity, of strategy. Yet, standing here, holding Damien's hand, something shifts within me. 

Perhaps it's the way his thumb rubs small circles on the back of my hand or the way he looks at me, not as a duty but with a genuine warmth. I allow myself a small smile as we turn, stepping together into our new life. 

Hand in hand, we make our way out of the room, and an unfamiliar sense of happiness bubbles inside me. At this moment, I entertain the thought that maybe, just maybe, marriage to Damien won't be so bad after all.