GAISCE (At Our Best, Book 3, Part 2 in Baile Series)

Epilogue

Riley

"There you go." I tugged at the ends of the bowtie before stepping backward.

Alick released a nervous breath, surveying his white tux in the mirror. "You don't think it's too much, the white?" He glanced at me.

"No. It suits you, literally." I tried to ease his nerves with humour.

He managed a short laugh. "I'm freaking out."

I clapped his shoulder encouragingly. "I know it's not everyday people like us get married, but think about this, you're going to be a Prince."

Alick rolled his eyes, tugging at his cufflinks. "It's not about the title. It is a perk that we are bringing together two species that have notorious hated each other, but I love her and that trumps everything. Is Isla here yet?" He changed the subject.

"No." I looked to the sky beyond the window, my own nerves spiking at the somber possibility that she could possibly not show up.

"Speaking of weddings, when are you going to pop the question?" His hazel eyes saw right through me.

"Well, whenever she's here." I turned away so he couldn't read my expression.

"If you want to, you should do it. Do you even know the next time you'll see her?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, my fists clenching at my sides in near agony.

"I'm sorry if I touched a nerve."

I shook my head. "I don't want to ruin your day."

"You won't, talk to me." He entreated.

"I love her. It's hard when she's never there, when I need her." It was hard for me to admit my feelings, even to my cousin and a fellow man.

The doors to the changing room opened and Devon waltzed in.

"Bold move Al." He regarded Alick's attire with a grin.

"I'm surprised you were invited." I joked.

Devon shrugged. "If you can invite a dozen strangers from realms at war you can invite a Faerie."

"It's purely for political purposes-the strangers, not you." Alick clarified.

"I have plenty of political connections." Devon defended.

"Shagging the King's sister doesn't count." I stated.

"I beg to differ." On cue Amaranth entered the room in a floor length silver dress. "Everyone's ready." She spoke to Alick.

Alick's nerves returned, my attuned ears picking up an increase in heart rate.

"Let's go." I ushered him forward, knowing he needed a little push.

Alick led the way outside and down the isle to a large oak tree that was strung with fairy lights and wildflowers.

I took my place as best man, overlooking the small number of family and friends that had been invited. The wedding was planned to be small and traditional, situated in one of the fields as part of the Byrne Estate that April had inherited.

I searched for a particular blue haired girl but she could not be found.

"She'll be here." Alick reassured me.

Eliza began to play a large gilded harp and all heads turned to watch April walk down the isle.

April had surely made herself hard to miss in a sparkling red wedding dress that fanned out around her legs in a long train. The ruby bejewelled crown also added weight to her beauty, her sapphire eyes solely focused on her husband to be.