61. Chapter 61

Chapter sixty-one

T he soft sounds of birds reached Havens ears, she thought it was odd to hear them this time of night but who knew, maybe they had come to see the wedding. As silly as that thought was, it helped to calm Haven down a bit.

Haven forced herself to take in the nervous look on Niks face. He lied to her, she knew that. He was definitely not okay and was definitely planning something. Haven assumed that whatever it was would likely be taking place soon. Nik might have told her that he couldn't wait to spend their immortal lives together but if the look on his face was anything to go by, that had also been a lie. Currently he appeared to be taking in her features and committing them to memory. As if he wouldn't be able to see them after tonight .

Pushing those dangerous thoughts from her head, Haven clasped her hands in Niks and met his eyes. There was so much love apparent in them that she began to rethink everything. Maybe Nik was planning to take on his father rather than refusing to marry her. Haven knew she didn't need him by her side but she wanted him there, for as long as he would stay and if that really was what he planned then she had faith that Nik could win against his father.

As powerful as everyone said the crown regent was, Haven hadn't once seen him use any actual magic. He was likely out of practice from the years spent lounging on her throne. And besides, power wasn't always everything. Haven was a firm supporter of the idea that you had to truly believe in what you were fighting for in order to succeed. While Niks father might believe in what he was doing, it was a selfish belief, one rooted in corruption and greed and, in her mind, that made all the difference.

The nervous priest broke the silence by clearing his throat and announcing that they were ready to begin.

Haven turned to take in the priest the crown regent had forced to perform the ceremony. He was dressed in all white, the rumpled outfit in combination with his light blond hair sticking every which way told Haven he was likely in bed when the crown regent forced him into the forest. She would like to think that he was here of his own volition but the nervous pitch of his eyebrows and the way his eye twitched whenever Niks father moved even an inch told her otherwise.

Suddenly, the birds went quiet, the wind stopped whistling and even the stars seemed to quiet their twinkling in order to pay attention .

"As is traditional in a fae marriage," The priest began, "First, the two of you will exchange rings and vows. Then, I will call upon the beings of our universe to bless this union. Lastly, I will tie your wrists together with a marriage knot, your rings will soak up the power of the marriage knot, leaving a brand and tying the two of you together for the rest of your immortal lives"

Haven panicked for a second when she realized that she did not have a ring for Nik. Her panic was short lived because Rea stepped forward and held a ring out to Haven. Delroy did the same with a ring for Nik.

Haven untangled her hand from Niks and took the ring from her friend. It was cool to the touch and solid in her hand. Silver in coloring, Haven could see some words etched into the inside of the ring but she didn't have a second to read them before the priest continued speaking,

"Haven, you will go first. Place the ring on Niks left ring finger and state your vows."

Haven took a breath, she had thought some about what she might say if forced to recite vows. Public speaking wasn't normally her strong suit and in the short amount of time she'd had to prepare for the wedding she wasn't able to come up with anything. When she tried, nothing sounded right. Nothing she could come up with seemed to fit their passionate and sometimes exhausting relationship. In the moment however, Haven didn't feel the need to come up with anything, she could simply say what she felt,

"Nik, we have not known each other long and we might have been forced here, but that's not what is important. The future we will have, the memories we have made and all the ones to come, that's what is important. Somewhere along our twisted, twining trail full of heated words and thoughtful glances, I fell in love with you and I wouldn't trade that love for anything. I promise to always be there for you, no matter the situation. To love you with all of my heart and to stand by your side in whatever this life may bring us"

A tear trailed down Havens cheek as she finished her vows.

With trembling hands, she slid the ring onto Niks finger. She could feel the power coursing through her veins, see the shadows twining around her feet and singed threads of her wedding gown. She hadn't meant to call her magics to the surface but was glad it happened anyway. Now Nik could see all of her, the shadows and the smiles alike.