Crimson {COMPLETED}

CHAPTER XLII

EMILY'S POV

NOVEMBER 19
1:46 p.m

JACKSON STANDS up once they announce that they're about to do the garter toss.

"Why do you even wanna do that?" I stand up, wanting more food. "You're more so the kind of guy that hides in the corner to avoid this kinda thing."

He smiles and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close. "You're right. But if anyone's going to put the garter on you, I want it to be me."

He kisses me and quickly turns to join the others in the field.

I sit back down once I turn and see the buffet table is just about empty.

The only person sitting here at our table with me is Lucifer. He's still sinking in his chair, as he has been the whole reception.

"Hey, you alright?"

He slowly looks up and me and nods a little. "Just a little anxious is all."

"About what?"

He shrugs. "Alice seemed like she was in a lot of pain."

"But why would-"

I stop myself halfway, realizing what he means.

His wedding is approaching. He'll be in Alice's shoes come December.

"Don't worry about it, yeah? I mean look at Alice, she's enjoying herself." I motion over to the field.

We both look over at all the others in the field. Alice sits on a chair as Christos retrieves the garter from her thigh.

"Yeah, I guess so." He mumbles.

I grab his glass and start to fill it with the bourbon that Jackson and I have been drinking.

"Now don't go making a habit out of this and if you do, don't go blaming it on me. But this might ease your nerves, at least for the night." I slide his glass back over to him.

He stares down at the drink and then looks over at the label on the bottle. "But I'm underage."

"Please, you're gonna be king one day. Who's gonna stop you?"

He laughs, giving me the first genuine smile I've ever seen from him. He takes a drink and grimaces.

"God, that's awful." He chokes out.

I shrug. "You've kinda got to ease into it. Besides, everyone had a preference. Mine is a margarita."

There's a loud burst of clapping from the field. Someone must have caught it. The crowd of spectators is too large for me to see who the winner is.

"I should probably have been up there. Maid of honor and bouquet winner."

"Yeah, I probably should have been there too. Adalia is probably gonna lecture me on being social." He pushes himself out of his chair, taking his drink with him.

With any luck, he's a confident drunk and not a sloppy one.

"Emily!" Christos calls, hurrying over with Jackson in tow.

Jackson spins the garter on his finger, a wide smile on his face.

"I should have never participated in that silly bouquet toss." I chuckle, standing up.

Jackson is able to snatch me off my feet with one arm, carrying me over to the field and putting me in the seat Alice previously sat.

As he slips the garter up my leg, I scan the crowd. My eyes meet up with Natalia's and she smiles at me. She's wearing the prettiest lilac dress, which stands out in contrast to the darker colored outfits.

After I stand up and the crowd starts to disperse, Natalia walks up to me.

"Hey Emily. You look really nice."

"Thanks, you too." I smile. "Where's Xander?"

"Probably playing with the boys or sucking up to Adalia." She scans the garden, holding the hat on her head so it doesn't get blown off by the wind.

"Why would he need to suck up to Adalia?" I look around too.

"Because Adalia will be queen very soon and Xander wants to make sure Adalia keeps Royal ties close with the Reed family and Reed Jewelers."

"Shouldn't be a problem, yeah?" I shrug. "What reason would she have to cut ties with you guys?"

She plays with the end of her dress. "Adalia admires the Reed work ethic but she does not appreciate the Reed family making deals with shady people. She's threatened to discredit the business in the future if we keep it up."

She glances around a little before she keeps speaking.

"And between you and me, that's why the whole family is secretly hoping Christos will inherit the throne instead."

"What makes Christos any different?"

"Christos knows the Reed family does some sketchy business and he doesn't care. He promised the family great benefits even."

"I don't know, chances of him inheriting the throne seem slim now. With Adalia being engaged now I mean."

She shrugs. "My mom always told me to beware of the calm before the storm. And with so many important people finding their mates, I'd say this is that calm."

She looks over at me, almost worriedly.

"Make sure to board up your windows, storms are approaching, I can feel it."

She walks away, leaving me in the middle of the field.

I find Alice with a crowd. So many people trying to talk to her.

I'm sure she loves this. It makes me happy to see such a wide smile on her face.

Been so long since I've seen her this happy. Too long.

She jumps up and down when she sees me. "After dinner, we're cutting the cake. I'm so excited, it looks so good."

I chuckle. "Make sure I get the second slice, yeah?"

"Of course." She grins.

Seeing her smile is enough to convince me that there's no reason to board up the windows and take shelter.

Or maybe I just want to believe she'll stay this happy.