Chapter 19

NINETEEN

WILLEM

Three days. Three freaking days.

I hadn't heard one word from Indi, nor had I seen her. I felt her absence like a constant pain in my chest that I could hardly stand anymore. It hurt to breathe, and yet here I was attending her sister's wedding. If I didn't show up, then my family would know something was up. If I didn't show up, then Indi would know that she'd had an effect on me. Of course she had an effect, but I wasn't going to cower away from this or us. I would be here for Torren and Nash. If I kept my distance, then this night should go off without a hitch . . . I hoped.

Zita walked beside me as we made our way to the open space behind the castle where rows of white chairs were set up. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I don't feel like I have a choice," I muttered back to her.

"I think you both look fantastic." Ivy, my brother Archer's soulmate, walked behind us. "I love the Armani suit. It really suits you."

"You can thank your husband for that." I didn't have three-piece suits lying around, and Archer was the one with the most access to fashion.

"I only lent you the suit. I didn't wear it for you." Archer chuckled. "You cleaned up nice, brother."

I sighed and ran my hand over the navy material. "Thanks to you."

"Doesn't he sound so sour these days." My mother walked just in front of us. She stopped at one of the rows closest to the front. "I think this is good."

She motioned to the row and my father nodded in approval. "Perfect."

I moved to the side, letting him walk by into the row. My mother stopped in front of me and cupped my cheek with her hand. "Try to be a bit happy, dear."

"I am happy, Mom," I lied. She gave me a knowing smile and patted my cheek before taking her seat beside my father.

Ivy winked. "You know . . . Look good, feel good."

Archer held his arm out and let Ivy go into the row next. He unbuttoned his suit coat and moved in next to Ivy. Brian was next and he just shook his head as he passed by. At the last second, he smacked the back of his hand across my front, knocking the air from my stomach. He chuckled as he continued to shake his head.

"Keep that up. I'll feed you to the twins," I teased.

"They're too busy making sure all the food is perfect for the wedding, so I think he's safe." Jethro walked right by and took his seat along with them.

I gave a heavy sigh and motioned for Zita to go ahead of me.

She hesitated, "Are you sure you don't want to sit next to them?"

"Trust me, just having you there won't stop them."

She shrugged. "If you say so."

I waited until she sat down, and I took my own seat right on the end of the aisle. It felt logical to be there just in case I needed to make a run for it. The rows filled up quickly. Everyone was there. At the very front, the Vauntero family took up three rows. Lexington sat between Jimbo and Sal. He looked like he had a hand on each of them, and I found relief in that. If he had a hold on them, then they couldn't do anything to ruin the ceremony. As Carter was the one who planned the whole event, I knew he wouldn't let those two ruin it.

The Grahams were just behind us, and Zita waved to them as they all took their seats. All the way at the back, some sirens and King Tirian all sat staring straight ahead. They all looked around at the splendor, and even I had to admit they outdid themselves. While the front of the castle was all Halloween fun, the back was pure elegance. Large oak trees surrounded us, and the leaves were bright and colorful all on their own, but there were white twinkle lights spread all around. At the front, there was an archway made of brambles covered in white gauzy fabric, elegant twinkle lights, and fall-themed flowers that seemed to match the leaves in the trees perfectly.

I sat next to Zita, and she seemed to vibrate with excitement. "It is really beautiful."

"It is." I could only think about one other ceremony more beautiful than this, but I fought those memories.

The music began to play. Nash walked to the front with Mateo by his side. They both wore black tuxedos and shiny black shoes. Nash had even tried to tame his hair slightly for the occasion while Mateo's was styled perfectly. They both stood tall with their shoulders back and their hands folded in front of them. Nash looked so relaxed, like this was the most perfect moment in life for him. Mateo, on the other hand, stood there with his lips pressed into a hard line. He looked just as troubled now as he did three days ago. He forced a smile, and I could tell there was a tightness around his eyes. It was a look I saw in myself just this morning.

The music changed, signaling for us all to rise to our feet. I stood and turned with the others to look back down the aisle where the bride would be, but there stood Indi. She took my breath away. Her hair was piled in wild curls on top of her head, and stray strands fell all around her face in long, enticing tendrils. Her dress was modest but elegant. She was never one to show a lot of skin. The neckline was cut high just above her collarbones, and her arms were covered in lace sleeves. The skirt of the dress flared out from her hips and moved with every step. She held a small bouquet that was an array of yellows, burgundy, and orange flowers.

When I got the courage to bring my eyes up to meet hers, there was nothing else in the world. I was lost in those bottomless depths. I sucked in a deep breath just as she started to walk down the aisle. Her cheeks heated, and she moved in time with the music. My mouth went dry, and my mind fought to stay in the present and not the past.

As she walked past me, she slid me a sideway glance, and I knew she saw me watching her, but I didn't care. I'd put my heart out there and there was no hiding now. There was just silent acceptance that things would not be what I knew they should be. She moved to the front and took her place off to the side where the Maid of Honor normally stood. Everyone sucked in a collective breath, and I knew Torren had appeared. If I didn't turn, someone would notice. I lingered there for a moment longer than I should have and then turned to look at Torren.

She was lovely in a gorgeous white dress. The top was a deep V-neck that came down to the center of her chest. The sleeves were made of a sheer material, and flower appliqués were spread sporadically up and down the sheer material and down the bodice. I'd have no idea what any of it was if it wasn't for working with Archer. I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between an A-line dress or ballroom. Nor would I have noticed that the waist was pinched in tight and the dress flowed down to the floor and was also covered in flower appliqués.

As she walked down the aisle, I held my breath for her. One ounce of nerves and she'd turn into a walrus and ruin the moment. But she kept her eyes on Nash, and there was a calm stillness about her that I envied. It was like she knew what her future held and was walking right toward it. We all turned to watch her as she approached the archway. Once she was there, I couldn't stop myself from watching Indi. She turned to face where Torren and Nash stood, but her eyes kept flicking to me and back again. My gaze didn't waver.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Colette take her place as officiant. Her blonde hair was pulled back from her face and tied in a high bun on her head. She wore a white pantsuit and looked like a million dollars. She smiled at all of us, and her green eyes sparkled. "Please be seated."

Everyone dropped down into their seats, and Torren handed Indi her flowers, then turned to face Nash. They joined hands. When they looked at each other, I knew they weren't seeing anyone else and I envied that.

Colette cleared her throat. "I was surprised that Nash and Torren would ask me to officiate their wedding, then I realized the answer for that question: I'm the only one on the Island that Nash isn't related to, so I'm neutral territory."

Everyone laughed softly.

"We are gathered here today to join this couple in celebrating their union. I don't think anyone can argue with the fact that they couldn't be more perfect for each other."

She was right. Nash and Torren were perfect together, and I was happy for them. I found myself smiling at how happy they both looked.

Colette turned and picked up a small box I hadn't seen sitting on a small table behind the archway. "The jinn community has a symbol for their unions. They weave together parts of nature to symbolize their natural connection. It is woven into a circle to show no beginning and no end to their connection. This is usually made by the jinn's parents ,but Indi, Torren's sister, made these for the couple today. They are a sign of the love she has for both of them."

I sucked in a sharp breath as pain shot down my chest like I'd been shot.

Zita whispered. "Are you okay? You look pale."

I nodded because my words were caught in my throat. I couldn't speak, could hardly breathe. Torren took a thinner flower crown from the box and placed it on Nash's head. Small burgundy, cream, and yellow flowers were woven together with a burgundy ribbon. Nash pulled a bigger flower crown from the box and smiled as he placed it on Torren's head. It was similar to his, but the flowers were fuller with blooming open roses, brightly colored leaves, and ribbon that matched Nash's.

My eyes snapped to Indi, and I caught her watching me closely. I'd been fighting off the memories of us this whole time, but when I saw those flower crowns, the memories proved to be too much. My mind slipped from the present.

I no longer saw Torren and Nash, nor was I on the Island behind the castle.

Mist dusted over my skin and the sound of a waterfall filled my senses. The air was warm, and I could feel the dampness on my skin. I stood there in my bare feet. Tropical flowers bloomed in the surrounding jungles. A warm breeze drifted over us. Palm trees swayed as the sun set just over the waterfall. Indi was gorgeous in a pink tank top and a bright, flower-printed skirt that tied at her hip. She too had bare feet.

She beamed up at me. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Without a sliver of a doubt." I held a flower crown made of bright-purple and pink exotic flowers in my hand. "Your mother gave these to us. I like to think she saw the same thing I see in us."

"And what's that?" She leaned in closer and ran one of her hands over my chest. I could feel the heat of her touch through the fabric of my shirt.

"Perfection."

She blushed as pink as her shirt. "Is there such a thing?"

"Well, here we are in this perfect moment, in this perfect place." I nodded at the jinn elder who brought the crowns to us. "We're ready."

We'd met the elder only days ago, and yet she stood there ready to unite us in this jinn ceremony. Her hair was long and midnight-black with red tips. She wore a bright-red floral print dress and brown sandals. She stood on a rock where the waterfall spilled down at the edge of the pool. Her lips pulled up in a smile when she looked at the two of us. There was no one else there, just Indi and me. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

She cleared her throat and held her hands at her sides. "Just as the sun must rise and set and the world turns, there is a beginning and an end to all things. And yet a jinn devoted to a love knows no beginning nor end. The crowns you present to each other represent the union you seek with one another. Willem, place your crown upon Indi's head and declare your intention of a love with no beginning and no end."

I placed it on her head, and I'd never seen her smile so wide.

"Indi, place your crown upon Willem's head, and in doing so, declare your intention of a love with no beginning and no end."

I ducked down so she could place the crown on my head.

The elder clapped her hands together. "And so it is done. You are declared within the jinn community and now we celebrate the union of Indi and Willem."

I scooped her up in my arms and pressed my lips to hers. Fire shot through my body. I couldn't get her close enough. My tongue danced with hers, and I felt her smile against my lips and chuckle against my chest. It was everything I thought life should be. She was everything. We held each other for a long moment just bathing in how right, how connected we felt. I'd never felt such happiness.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Colette's voice boomed, drawing me out of my memories. "You may kiss the bride!"

I gasped and shook myself out of that memory.

Nash swept Torren into his arms and held her there, pressing his lips to hers. Pain lashed through my chest, and I had to look away. Not one day after our union, Indi had left me. The argument had shattered my belief in love. She'd told me I wasn't ready for this, that I was too young and she had too many responsibilities. What she didn't know was that I was ready to join her no matter how difficult or easy. But my words fell on deaf ears. I couldn't fathom how a person could love so deeply one day and be gone the next. Looking back on it now, perhaps we were rash, perhaps we moved too quickly, or perhaps it was never meant to be. Whatever the case, it still hurt now. It was as though she'd ripped a piece of me from my chest.

Indi had my heart, and she never gave it back.

I rose to my feet and joined the others in clapping for the bride and groom. When I raised my eyes to the archway, Indi was there staring right at me. My heart lurched, and I knew my expression said it all. I remembered everything perfectly, and when she looked at me, I knew she did too. Tears pooled on her eyelashes, yet neither of us looked away.