32. Wedding Bells and Blessings

CHAPTER 32

Wedding Bells and Blessings

" R eady for this?" Nikhail clapped Ryker on the back.

Ryker straightened his black suit jacket, adjusted his crimson tie, and nodded. "More than ready."

After a short deliberation, Ryker and Brynleigh decided to hold their ceremony in Isvana's temple. It was packed to the brim. Black curtains covered the windows, but the darkness did not detract from the beauty of the space. Glittering lights hung from the columns. Through a trick of technology, stars danced on the ceiling. Rows upon rows of chairs were laid out before them, filled with an eager crowd.

Cameras were already in place. One pointed at Ryker on the dais and another at the back of the temple where Brynleigh would arrive.

Although the timeline to assemble the weddings had been quick, no expenses were spared. Everything, from the decorations to the clothes to the following reception, was expertly put together.

Cyrus and Tertia sat in the front row, and although Ryker's father wasn't as alert as he had been the other night, he smiled at his son. Their presence meant the world to Ryker. Along with his parents, several other familiar faces were at the wedding, including other Choosing participants. Numerous armed guards were hidden among the wedding guests, and more were stationed throughout the temple .

Although Ryker hadn't heard of any new threats, Chancellor Rose wasn't taking any chances. After all, the weddings were the most anticipated portion of the blind love competition.

Ryker straightened an invisible wrinkle on his black suit. He'd barely slept last night, thanks to the excitement of the day. Yesterday, they'd gone to a winery with Hallie and Therian, the evening a nice, quiet lead-up to today's wedding.

He would be lying if he said he wasn't eager to get this over with. He couldn't wait to get Brynleigh alone tonight. Her unique scent of a crisp evening and night-blooming roses had followed him into his sleep, and she'd starred in his dreams all week.

The doors opened, and a tall vampire with stark white hair entered the space. The priestess, who'd introduced herself as Plyana during their rehearsal yesterday, wore a long white robe edged in crimson thread. It trailed behind her as she strode into the temple. The crowd hushed, sensing that the ceremony was about to begin.

Ascending the steps to the stage, the priestess smiled at Ryker. "Are you nervous?"

"No." He stood tall, his shoulders back and head held high "Not at all."

Ryker was destined to marry Brynleigh de la Point. He wouldn't have been surprised if the gods had written their union in the stars.

"Good." Plyana made a religious gesture in front of her chest. "I pray that Isvana and Ithiar will bless your union."

"Thank you. That's my hope as well." They would journey to the fae temple during their journey north to receive a blessing from the priests and make an offering to the Black Sands.

Then, the time for nerves was over. The classical violin concerto, which had been playing quietly through speakers, switched to a traditional wedding march.

That was the signal. The ceremony was about to begin.

Keeping his hands flat at his sides, Ryker turned his attention to the large double doors across the temple. His heart, which had been doing an excellent job of keeping him alive since he was born, thundered. His hands grew clammy. His water magic pulsed a steady beat.

Anticipation was thick in the air, a sweet and slightly bitter taste at the back of his mouth. His back straightened, and he inhaled deeply as the doors swung open with a resounding bang.

River entered first, resplendent in a blue gown. After their night at the Obsidian Palace, Brynleigh had asked Ryker's sister to be her maid of honor. River had been shocked, but she had readily agreed. River's long brown hair was styled in delicate waves, and she'd exchanged all her flashy piercings for diamond studs. She looked like a star walking down the aisle.

It thrilled Ryker that his sister and his partner got along so well. This was a glimpse into their future, and he loved what he saw. This past week proved he had Chosen well. Brynleigh was a strong woman who could hold her own, and she made Ryker a better man.

River confidently strode towards her brother.

"Happy wedding day," she whispered as she stood across him.

A corner of Ryker's mouth twitched upward. "Thank you, River."

She smirked. "Before you ask, I already released my magic today, so you don't need to worry about it."

She might joke about it, but Ryker would always worry about River. Even after she Matured, he would watch over her. He didn't say that, though. He didn't say anything because there was a flurry of movement at the temple entrance.

Time crashed to a stop as Ryker's gaze landed on his vampire. The sight of her stole the breath from his lungs. He couldn't pull his eyes away from her, even if he tried.

His bride was exquisite.

In the place of a veil, she wore a white lace fascinator that fell over her eyes. Her gown was strapless and hugged all her curves. It glistened like fresh snow as the light fell upon it, as though thousands of snowflakes were embedded in it. Onyx earrings hung from her lobes. Her arms were bare, and she wore no jewelry except for her necklace and the ring he'd given her. Her blonde hair was elegantly styled in a complicated, twisted knot.

By the Black Sands, Brynleigh was the most beautiful being he'd ever seen in his entire life. Two large, jet-black bat wings extended from her back. They hung on either side of her, a symbol of her power. The shadows pooling at her feet were a direct contrast to the bridal ensemble she wore.

Then her gaze rose and met his.

The breath returned to his lungs in a whoosh. They stared at each other, the rest of the room disappearing into nothingness. Everything that had ever gone wrong in Ryker's world righted itself at that moment. She was his other half, his partner in all things, the woman he was destined to love forever.

There was a subtle movement as the cameras panned to the doors. He knew the world was staring at his bride. It didn't matter, though. They could look because Brynleigh wasn't looking at the cameras, the crowd, or the priestess.

Her eyes were locked on him. The distance didn't matter. Her searing gaze made him feel like he was the only man in the world.

"Please stand," Plyana commanded.

The crowd shuffled as they all stood, save for Ryker's father.

Music crescendoed. Brynleigh glided across the marble floor towards Ryker, holding his gaze.

Following vampiric tradition, Jelisette met her progeny at the end of the aisle. The older vampire wore a black ball gown that seemed better suited for a funeral than a wedding. Long black gloves went to her elbows, and glistening black diamonds sparkled in her ears. Strange.

Brynleigh never moved her eyes from Ryker's, even as she slipped her hand onto Jelisette's outstretched arm.

Priestess Plyana began speaking, regaling the crowd and cameras alike with the history of the Choosing like Chancellor Rose had done during the Opening Ceremony. The priestess reiterated the importance of the practice that unified the Republic of Balance, her voice echoing through the large temple.

Ryker barely heard any of her words. To be fair, he wasn't attempting to pay attention.

Brynleigh smiled at him, and he smiled back.

Hi , he mouthed.

His vampire's lips twitched. She mouthed back, Hey. Her eyes widened as if saying, Can you believe this?

He knew instantly what she meant. The grandeur, the temple, the crowd, the cameras, everything. They were all here to watch them get married. It was overwhelming, even for someone like him who'd grown up around wealth and the press.

He'd done everything he could to remain out of sight for the past six years, but the reporters didn't bother him today.

This was not about him—it was about them .

Plyana turned to Jelisette. Her voice boomed across the now-silent temple. "Do you give your progeny over to this fae to be married?"

Brynleigh visibly bristled at the priestess's words. Ryker could almost hear his vampire's voice in his head, railing against the injustice of being spoken about as though she was not a person but a belonging to be bought and sold. She didn't say anything, though, probably because she was as eager as Ryker to get this ceremony over with.

Jelisette's ancient obsidian gaze swung to Ryker's. It took everything the water fae had not to shudder. Something about this woman put him on edge.

She didn't break his stare, even as she said, "I do. After all, this is the moment we've been waiting for."

Had the words come from anyone else, they would've sounded kind. Coming from Jelisette, they made Ryker's skin pebble. No, he did not like Brynleigh's Maker. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to deal with her much in the future.

Ryker descended the steps and stood before the vampires, extending his right hand. Brynleigh held his gaze as she lifted her hand from Jelisette's and took his.

The moment they touched, fiery sparks ran through him. He raised her hand to his lips and held her gaze as he pressed his mouth against her pale flesh.

"You look beautiful," he murmured.

His vampire blushed, and the crowd made sounds of delight as he led her onto the stage.

Brynleigh retracted her wings into her back as they took their place before Plyana, but she kept her shadows around her feet.

Such a stunning vision of power.

Ryker was utterly enamored by the woman he was marrying. His fingers ran over the back of her hands, rubbing gentle circles, as the ceremony passed in a blur.

They exchanged rings—Ryker's was a thicker version of the delicate onyx band he slid onto Brynleigh's finger—and they signed the legal documents officially binding them as husband and wife.

Then came the moment Ryker had been waiting for.

The pair stood before Plyana; their hands joined in the space between them.

"You may kiss the bride," the priestess declared.

She may have said more after that, but Ryker stopped paying attention. He was utterly focused on his gorgeous vampire.

Ryker stepped towards Brynleigh, closing the space between them as he tightened his grip on her fingers. Their eyes met once again, and the crowd faded away.

Brynleigh breathed his name as he lowered his head. His lips descended on hers, anxious and eager to taste what was his.

The moment their mouths met, Ryker groaned. Slipping one hand behind Brynleigh's neck, he gently cupped the back of her head. With the other hand, he held her close.

Every single inch that separated them was far too much.

Ryker had gone six weeks without seeing, touching, or holding Brynleigh.

Never again.

She was his, and he was hers.

Brynleigh's lips were soft beneath his as they kissed. He'd intended for this to be a peck, a promise of what would come, but now that they were in the moment, he couldn't stop.

A soft moan slipped from her, and he tightened his grip on her neck. He held her close, angling her head as they embraced. His tongue swept the seam of her lips, intent on tasting her.

She was his everything.

His other half.

His Chosen partner.

His wife.