I gave him an annoyed look before shoving at his chest. He stumbled off the elevator because I’d surprised him, the shock in his eyes when I met them. “This is why I don’t tell you guys stuff. Nice way to make me feel guilty and like this is all me.” I hit the button harder than needed. “I’ll try not to worry you anymore and keep my mouth shut too.”
“That’s not what I meant,” he argued, growling as the doors closed in his face. Good, now we were both miffed. Asshole. It wasn’t like I wanted to be upset or pissed. I wanted to be happy. I was reacting to what was going on around me, how people were making me feel, and the problems we had.
I shook my head as I got off on the floor for my bedroom. Right, I was sure someone would give me a line next about not letting people control how I felt or dictating my emotions. Because it was that fucking easy? There was some magical switch somewhere I’d never found?
“Life would be so much easier if there was,” I sighed as I turned to stare at myself in the mirror. I didn’t even recognize myself. Forget the makeup, dress, or even the heels in the fucking apocalypse, and still I didn’t recognize myself. I looked away, not liking where my mind was heading. “It’s still a better life than what I had.”
Right?
13
The next morning, I was showered and ready before people arrived to start making me up. Hope and Lara also had updates on everything extra and changes, and we were about as ready as could be expected. It meant a lot to me how much people were willing to help and jump in to support me and the coven. It honestly made getting through the weekend easier.
Especially since everything was so backwards. I mean, vampires were night owls and we were starting with brunch. And a wedding then? That was weird, but most weren’t based on a period. I was a ball of nerves, hoping it was coming, nervous it would start too soon, and just all around not wanting to do this.
“Inez, you’re hyperventilating,” Hope worried.
“Sorry,” I wheezed, not having realized I was doing it. I just had to get through the beginning right? Yeah, and then I’d just be having sex for more than a thousand people to watch as they wanted.
Why had I ever agreed to this?
I finally got it together, remembering that it would start formal, but just like a reception, people relaxed and after brunch, it would be the same. They were going to have as much alcohol as they wanted and stuff their stomachs with all our food. Why? I couldn’t even remember anymore why we were putting up with this, but hopefully the pool and fun would be enough that not everyone would watch me fuck.
I really, really hoped so.
When it was time, they helped me into the blood red satin ballgown. It was off-the-shoulder straps and really low cut. The skirt was huge and the train made me nervous, but it wasn’t too bad. I had my now curly hair mostly down, but they pulled some strands up and pinned them so it wasn’t all in my face, which I appreciated. I looked astounding in the mirror.
I also didn’t look like me again. I swallowed loudly, knowing I as doing this for my coven, my people—even if it freaked the shit out of me most days that I had people—and for the men I loved.
This time, my knights were in white dresses or tuxes with red accents to match me and honestly, I was too nervous to remember the significance of that. I wasn’t sure anyone else would pick up on it or care; besides, they all looked amazing.
I let out a shaky breath before stepping off the elevator, Trisha muttering under her breath I was super hot and just remember we were going to have a fun day. Fun sounded nice, even if I’d still have my period.
Assuming it started soon.
Oh boy, I really was going to end up having a panic attack or something.
I stepped into the ballroom and my breath was taken away at the sight before me… Namely all my nobles in sexy, sexy tuxes. They were black with silver vests and shirts, and those thick ties, not a neck ascot, but the stylish pinned ones. I honestly had no idea what they were called, but it was a good look for them.
All of them.
They were a rainbow of colors, Cerdic’s matching mine since it was our day, but the others were clearly sending a message. I wasn’t sure what, but my mind went to something cheesy like they were my rainbow and I was theirs, with the name meaning pure or whatever. It was nice though, cool they coordinated.
“Bloody fuck me dead, love,” Cerdic greeted and a bit too loudly, his eyes eating up every inch of me. “I don’t give a fuck it’s the apocalypse because we’re going to start having some dress up dates. It’s a crime we don’t get to see you like this more often.”
“It is,” Darius agreed, clearing his throat. “You look stunning, My Princess.”
“Mouthwatering and absolutely divine,” Kristof muttered.
“A vision none of us deserve to look upon,” Jaxon added. The others nodded, and I felt my entire body flush, even as I couldn’t look away from them. Wow they looked good.
“Eddie, who knew you cleaned up so nice?” I teased, figuring he was safe, but shocked he was with the others.
“I was a Naval officer and I pulled off the uniform well,” he promised, winking at me. “I’m on Team
