Chapter 296

I’m a little dazzled by the light the moment I walk into the little Bianci family chapel from the darkness outdoors, because the entire place- The entire place, absolutely every surface, is covered in candles.

My steps stutter for a moment as I gasp and look around at all the beautiful firelight, which casts a romantic golden glow throughout the entire room. The violinist from the band plays softly, a song I don’t recognize but which is sweet and soft as I take my first steps down the aisle. As soon as my eyes adjust, they immediately, instinctually find Kent.

I mean, not like it’s hard. Kent draws attention like gravity, like the moon pulling the water from the sea, making it reach for him. And like the tides, I move towards him without thought or intent – simply because at his side is precisely where I want to be. Kent stands to the right of the altar, his hands clasped neatly before him, his face solemn.

But as his eyes sweep over me, that solemnity cracks as something passes over him. Kent exhales once, deeply, and looks almost…devastated as he takes me in. My brow creases with worry, but he just shakes his head, smiling a little at me in awe. And then I blush, and bite my lip, because I realize that Kent isn’t upset – he just really thinks I’m beautiful. Joy rushes through me for the millionth time today as my dad leads me up the aisle, my eyes locked on the man who will soon be my husband. The man who already is, in my heart at least. Which is all, I think, that really matters

When we get to the end of the aisle my dad unloops his arm from mine and gently takes my hand, passing it over to Kent’s. “Deal still stands” my dad says, his voice low with warning. “You protect her, all right?”

“I swear it,” Kent says, dead serious as he meets my father’s eyes and takes my hand in his. “My life before hers.”