Chapter 9 - The Wedding He Thought Would Never Happen
The wedding took place at sunrise.
Mave chose a small garden near the lake.
No reporters.
No politicians.
No men from Rowan's old world.
Only family and a handful of friends.
Khloe cried before the ceremony even started.
“I still can't believe my stupid $50 joke did all this.”
Mave laughed.
“You owe me another fifty.”
“For what?”
“For changing my life.”
Khloe hugged her.
“I'll give you a hundred.”
Rowan waited beneath the arch.
For once, he wasn't wearing black.
He wore a simple dark blue suit.
When Mave appeared, his expression changed completely.
The cold man from Ali's Pub was gone.
He looked nervous.
Human.
In love.
She walked toward him.
When she reached the altar, Rowan whispered,
“You're beautiful.”
“So you admit it?”
“I've been admitting it since the bar.”
“You looked terrified.”
“I was.”
“Of me?”
“No.”
He smiled.
“Of wanting you.”
They exchanged vows.
Not promises of power.
Not promises of protection at any cost.
Promises of honesty.
Partnership.
Choice.
When they kissed, Khloe cheered.
Then the wedding band around Mave's finger caught the sunlight.
The world felt peaceful.
Until a waiter approached Rowan.
He whispered something.
Rowan's expression changed.
Mave knew immediately.
“What happened?”
“Kane.”
“What?”
“They found him.”
“Where?”
“Outside.”
Police had surrounded the property.
Kane was hiding near the road.
He had one demand.
To speak with Mave.
She went.
Rowan tried to stop her.
But she shook her head.
“He can't scare me out of my own wedding.”
Kane stood behind a police barrier.
He looked exhausted.
“You think you've won.”
Mave looked at him.
“I did.”
“You don't know what Victor told them.”
“What?”
“He told the council everything.”
“And?”
Kane laughed.
“You think your husband can walk away from all this.”
Rowan stepped beside her.
“I already have.”
Kane stared.
“Who do you think you are?”
Rowan smiled.
“Someone who finally doesn't need your permission.”
Kane was arrested.
The last shadow disappeared.
The wedding continued.
That evening, Mave and Rowan danced beneath string lights.
She rested her head against him.
“Are you happy?”
He thought about it.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
“What changed?”
“You.”
“Only me?”
“No.”
He kissed her.
“I changed.”
May you like
She smiled.
“Good answer.”
