I turned slowly to look in the full length mirror, eyes drifting down the fitted bodice to the trialing lace train. Soft white flats peeked from below the hem of the dress, the veil breezing over my shoulders.
It was not the beauty of my hair, gown, and makeup before me that struck me to the core, it was not the glittering of the diamond ring on my finger.
No. That sharp pierce to my heart was something else entirely, something deeper, something unsettling.
It was that I barely even recognized myself.
Chapter Eleven
The first two steps were the most difficult.
My fingers wrapped tight around the pink lily bouquet, so tight in fact that I thought I may snap it right in half.
Karina glared at me from down the aisle, shoulders so tense it must be painful for her. I could see in her eyes that she still hoped I would turn tail and run back down the aisle.
Unfortunately for my mother in law, I would not do that. I could not do that.
As easy as it would have been to just take the money Sebastian poured into my shop and pretend that nothing had changed in my life, I just would not be able to deal with the welling of guilt within me.
Sebastian had done me a favor, and now I would return that favor for him.
We were in this together. Forever, as it were.
George yawned beside his wife, eyes wandering over the flower pieces and chairs. No doubt he was wondering just how much this affair cost the family. He couldn't be less interested in the fact that the bride was walking down the aisle as music floated over our heads.
Alissa stood next to George, her face much more unreadable. A small smile curved her lips, and I was completely unsure if it was true pleasantry or a mask.
The rest of the people I did not know, they watched me, waiting for a misstep or for me to fall flat on my face. I felt as though they were wild dogs, seething at the mouth and waiting for someone to throw them a bone of drama.
Hesitantly, my eyes shifted forwards, following the path of rose petals that lead to the archway before me.
Though it was only feet away, it felt like miles.
Sebastian stood there, his hands clasped in front of him as he watched me. His lips pursed, his eyes wide, he did not break his stare. Was that terror in his gaze, or was it excitement?
Perhaps it was a painful mixture of both.
My own heart dropped firmly into my stomach, threatening to make me vomit all over the bystanders.
I took a deep breath, carefully stepping up onto the small platform.
A man stood between us behind a small altar, peering at me over his thin rimmed glasses. The music, played by a harpist, swirled around our ears, drowning out the quiet chatter of the gossiping guests.
Slowly, silence fell, though the sound of my heart pounding away against my ribs did not quell.
"We are gathered here in the joyous union of Sebastian Davis and Macy Brooks." The officiant said loudly, conveniently leaving out any reference to feelings of love between the two of us.
Sebastian and I continued to stare at one another, his shape blurred from the soft wisp of veil before my face.
Could he tell how scared I was?
"Do you, Macy, take Sebastian to be your husband?" The man asked, turning a page in the booklet on the altar.
"I...I do." I whispered, unsure if anyone had heard me.
"And do you, Sebastian-"
"I do." Sebastian interrupted, swallowing thickly.
He reached forward, his hand taking my own in his strong grasp. Though my fingers trembled, his did not.
Carefully, he slid a ring onto my finger. I stared at the platinum band, admiring the shockingly dazzling shine of its silver. Somehow, I even managed to place the ring on his own finger without dropping it.
He stepped forward, taking the veil in his hands as he slowly lifted it, pushing it back away from my face.
I stared up at him, knees buckling.
For a second my gaze darted down the aisle, considering how long it would take me to run away.
Instead, Sebastian's warm hands wrapped around my own, dwarfing palms in his strong hold.
My gaze turned back up to him.
The heat of his body was almost tangible, his deep blue eyes pierced through me like a laser.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the man declared, "You may now kiss the bride."
Sebastian stepped forward, one of his hands leaving a burning trail across my arm as his fingers trialed behind my back, pressing me forward towards him.
I gasped for breath, lungs feeling as though they were about to collapse.
His body, so warm and so close, pressed against mine, chest to chest.
His perfect lips came closer and closer, my eyes drifting shut as his warm mouth pressed fully against mine.
A simple, chaste kiss, the feeling of his soft lips pressing against mine, memorizing the feel of my body curving to his, the feel of his arms around me.
It lit my soul on fire.