12. Cassie

12

CASSIE

I slipped into the chapel, its stone walls holding whispers of ancient vows. The room, lit by flickering candles, cast a warm glow on the small gathering of friends.

Roma and Bran were marrying in the grand hall, but Shay and Martellus had opted for this room.

Shay stood by the door, a vision in a metallic wedding gown that seemed to flow like liquid silver around her petite frame, catching the hazy light with every subtle movement.

"Wow," I murmured under my breath, unable to peel my gaze from her unique dress.

"Stunning," Tanni agreed softly beside me.

Martellus, large and imposing with his troll lineage, waited for Shay at the makeshift altar, his violet-blue eyes softening when he looked at her. Arete, his harpy seneschal hovered near him, her wings folded gracefully, an honor guard for the king of misfits and his bride.

"Quiet now," Duncan, Shay's good friend and assistant, whispered from behind me, his voice a gentle reminder as the officiant cleared his throat.

"We are gathered here today in the presence of close friends…" the officiant began, his words simple but heavy with the weight of the moment.

Shay's fingers danced nervously along the edge of her dress, betraying the nervousness under her guarded demeanor. Martellus reached out, stilling her movements with a firm yet tender touch. Her grateful smile was brief, but it spoke loudly of their quiet bond.

"Martellus, do you take Shay to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the officiant asked.

"I do," he said, his voice echoing slightly off the stone.

"And do you, Shay, take Martellus to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do," she replied, her quiet voice steady, yet laced with a hint of sweetness.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

As they sealed their vows with a kiss, a shared sigh flowed through us. Even Bran, dignified and solemn, allowed himself a small smile. Roma leaned into him, her often hidden tender side on display for the moment.

"Let's give them some time alone," Rey suggested with a mischievous wink, ready to lead the charge out of the chamber.

"Agreed," Cathy said, looping her arm through Rey's with a laugh.

Shay and Martellus stood together as we filed past, their eyes locked in a world entirely their own.

We moved into the next room to wait as Roma changed into her wedding dress. The thirty-minute break also gave Shay time to change into her bridesmaid's dress as well as giving Shay and Martellus a minute alone before having to prepare for Roma and Bran's wedding.

The thirty minutes passed quickly, and the hush of the room gave way to the murmur of anticipation as I stepped into the grand hall. This was it, from the intimate to the grand. The ceiling soared; banners draped in regal splendor. Shay's castle transformed from a place of quiet history to one of majestic declarations.

"Wow," I breathed, taking in the rows of guests that filled the space. They were a sea of finery and eager faces turned towards us—monster and human, a bridge between two worlds.

"Stick close," Cathy murmured beside me, her green eyes bright with excitement. Shay, now in a bridesmaid's dress like my own, gave me an encouraging nod.

"Ready?" Tanni asked, adjusting her glasses.

"Let's do this," I replied, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and adrenaline.

Bran and Roma made their entrance, and it was like stepping into a painting. Roma, radiant and regal, wore a gown that seemed crafted from the dreams of queens. Ivory silk hugged her curves before cascading into a train that whispered secrets of old-world grace. Delicate lace adorned the bodice, studded with pearls that caught the light like stars plucked from the night sky. Her full wavy hair framed her face, a dark cascade against the light fabric, and a crown of roses perched like a promise upon her head.

"Stunning," Rey whispered from his strategic position as best man, his foxlike eyes gleaming with approval.

"Absolutely," I agreed, barely recognizing the solemn Bran beside her, his white hair and goblin-gray skin a statement of otherworldliness.

Christian, Harold, and Ike, Bran's goblin attendants, stood stiff and formal, an odd contrast to the lively energy of the room. Their presence was a reminder of the worlds colliding and merging within these walls.

As the officiant began, I tried to focus on the ceremony, but my gaze kept drifting. Aiden was nearby, part of the crowd yet undeniably separate in my mind. Once or twice, I caught him looking back at me, and I had to reel in my runaway thoughts.

I shook off the fantasies of a day when it might be me standing where Roma stood, vows of everlasting love hanging in the air.

The officiant's voice softened. "Bran, do you take Roma to be your lawfully wedded wife, to rule by your side, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Bran replied, his voice laced with the gravity of his words.

"Roma, do you take Bran to be your lawfully wedded husband, to rule by your side, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," she returned, her voice firm, leaving no room for doubt.

"Rings," the officiant prompted, and Rey stepped forward, presenting them with a small, velvet cushion. Bran took Roma's ring, a band of silver with intricate runes, and slid it onto her finger. Roma followed suit, her hand steady as she adorned Bran with a matching band.

"By the exchange of these rings," said the officiant, "you are bound together with the strength of your love and the depth of your commitment. Let these rings be a reminder of this moment, your promises, and the ties that now join you both."

Then the officiant moved to the side. One of the goblins stepped forward, with the crown resting on a velvet pillow.

Bran faced the crowd, solemn and dignified, holding the ornate circlet aloft. It gleamed in the grand hall's light, the jewels encrusted on its surface mirroring the determination in his eyes. Roma stood still as a statue, her own gaze locked onto Bran with fierce pride.

"By the power of my reign and blood" Bran intoned, his voice carrying through the silent hall, "I crown you, Andromeda de Clare, Queen of the Goblins."

He lowered the crown onto Roma's head, the metal whispering against her hair. The crowd held its breath, and for a moment, even the air seemed to still, acknowledging the weight of what was transpiring. Roma's shoulders squared under the crown, and she embraced her new role with a nod that was both graceful and commanding.

The couple turned to face the assembly, hands joined, their rings catching the light—a silent testament to their united front. A chorus of applause erupted, celebrating the union of two worlds, the merging of hearts and kingdoms.

"Let the festivities begin!" the officiant declared, and music swelled to fill the space, lifting the spirits of everyone present. But for a moment longer, I watched the newly crowned queen and her king, thinking about the power of vows and the beauty found in the simplest of rituals.

The rest of the bridal party flocked together like a bevy of exotic birds, their dresses a cascade of colors that had been meticulously chosen for the grand event. I stood to one side, feeling the soft fabric of the bridesmaid dress against my skin.

"Everything looks wonderful, doesn't it?" Cathy murmured, brushing imaginary wrinkles from her gown.

"Perfect," I agreed, though my gaze strayed.

Across the room, the men were a contrast in their sleek black tuxes. All except Reynard, who stood out in his emerald velvet jacket – a touch of boldness in a sea of formality. He caught my eye and winked, and I couldn't help but laugh. Trust Rey to break convention.

Then there was Aiden in the front row of guests, looking every bit the part of the dashing guest. Our eyes met, and something unspoken passed between us. I quickly looked away, feeling heat creep up my neck. But not before I saw him smile. It was subtle, barely more than a twitch at the corner of his mouth, but it was there.

"Stop it, Cassie," I chastised myself silently. Today was time to be happy for Bran and Roma, celebrate their love, their ceremony. Not about fleeting gazes or what-ifs that churned in my heart.

"Hey, are you okay?" Tanni's voice pulled me back into the moment.

"Absolutely," I said, plastering on a smile. "Just... soaking it all in."

But as I turned my attention back to the festivities, my resolve wavered. I bit my lip, squashing down the quiet fantasies. Today wasn't the day for them.