209

Every palace and castle of the Royal Family had a large chapel on the grounds for weddings, blessings upon births and funeral ceremonies. Maya and I were getting married in the Sinaia chapel because of the lack of time on our side.

I was woken up early the next morning, before the sun rose and given a hearty breakfast that I ate with my family. Milo was my best man and since I didn’t have godparents anymore my own parents would stand by my side while the King and Queen would stand with Maya.

We made small talk during breakfast but my heart wasn’t really in it. I kept feeling an itch where Ally’s name was etched onto my skin and Milo kept nudging me in the ribs. “Sorry Dad, what did you say?”

“I said that your mother would’ve kicked your ass for pulling this stunt.”

“At this stage I might welcome it.” Ryder’s gaze changed for a brief second, emotion flashing in his eyes.

“So I’m gathering that the timeline has moved up eight months or so.”

I hadn’t even noticed that Nova, Abby and Shae had left the suite and I looked at my father as he said those words. It wasn’t starting out to be a good day for me.

“Yeah. I’m also waiting for the puppy love phase to end for Nicu and for him to show me what he’s really made of.”

“Well at least now you’ve got an easier entrance into their lifestyle.”

I only nodded my head. I knew all too well what I’d taken on. I was such an idiot, volunteering to do this but I also knew Ryder wasn’t lying when he said that Typhon had foretold my fate. My father wasn’t a liar, he was more honorable than most people I knew, probably more than me.

“I should go shower.” I got up from the sofa and headed to my bedroom. Ryder would get ready with us in the suite, leaving the women to get ready on their own.

I was in the process of washing my body when the shower door opened and Milo slipped inside. He started rubbing soap on my back keeping his arm across my neck, pushing me into the tiled wall of the shower.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m washing your back, Romanian tradition calls for the best man to help the groom get ready, plus I have to shave you.”

“Get the hell out of my shower!” I tried pushing back but Milo had me at a disadvantage, my hands were full of soap and he had me at an angle.

“I’ll keep my dick tucked between my legs.”

“You’re an asshole, stop washing me!”

Milo laughed as he moved his arm away and I turned around. He was wearing a shower cap and I couldn’t help the laugh that came out of my mouth. He looked ridiculous as he started soaping himself and turned around. “Your turn to wash my back. Oops, I dropped the soap by your feet. Turn around and pick up the soap.”

I laughed as Milo started touching himself. “Piss off Milo. Pick up your own soap.”

“Oh you want it like that today.” Milo went down on his knees, grinning at me as he picked up the soap.

I threw the washcloth at his face and opened the shower door, looking at the amused face of Ryder. He was leaning against the counter top with his arms crossed over his chest, his tie still hanging loose across his shoulders.

“Dad, it’s not what you think.”

Milo stuck his head out of the shower door, that stupid shower cap still over his hair. “Sometimes I really worry about you Milo.”

“I was on my knees.” Ryder shook his head and left the bathroom as I grabbed a towel and climbed out of the shower, smacking Milo in the face with the towel as I wrapped it around my waist.

“Not helping, asshole.” Milo laughed as he closed the shower door and I heard him make an impression of Sheryl Crow, making my ears bleed.

Ryder stood in front of the floor to ceiling mirror finishing up with this tie. I started getting dressed in the official attire befitting a Duke getting married complete with a sash and medals that I hadn’t earned but came with the title.

“Today you become a member of the de Haviland family.” Ryder’s voice held emotions I’d rarely heard from him.

“I’ll always be a Grey, I’ll always be the son you raised. It doesn’t matter who I marry Dad.”

“There’s something else I want to ask you, something personal, but I need you to answer me any way.”

“What?” Ryder had moved away from the mirror and I now stood in front of it, making sure my tie was straight.

“I get the idea that there’s someone else your heart belongs to, the way mine belonged to Megan, someone that you love so completely that it hurts you deep inside to be standing where you are now. Is there someone you love like that?”

“Shit, Dad.”

“What did I miss?” Milo’s question came in the nick of time as he sauntered into my room, naked.

“Shit Milo, hide that thing in some pants.” I laughed at Ryder’s choice of words and Milo took a superhero stance.

“When was the last time you saw Wynter naked?” Milo had pulled briefs on and tucked himself inside right at the moment when Ryder looked at him again.

“I saw his metal.” I could only grin at that referral since he himself also sported some metal.

“Just get dressed, Milo, we don’t have much time.”

Milo was dressed fifteen seconds later and he followed us through to the living room.

The knock came at the door five seconds after Milo turned to look at it and I smiled. His senses had always been better than any vampire I’d ever met. It was odd because his mother had been human and that usually dulls the senses which is why they rarely bond with them.

“Duke Grey, if you’ll follow me, I’ll lead you to the chapel.”

Milo walked on my left and Ryder on my right as we followed the footman down the hall and out of the Palace. Maya would be leaving her room as well with her mother on her right and Abigail on her left as she chose her to be her maid of honour.

Prince Nicu was still slightly pissed off that I had chosen Milo to be my best man and not him, said it was a slap in his royal face but I couldn’t care less. Milo was my brother and Nicu could pout all he liked. The King hadn’t even tried to change my mind, although Maya had.

The rest of the wedding party followed behind us but following protocol I didn’t look behind me because Maya was there. The King shook my hand and stepped in front of me. Nova joined Ryder and he kissed her neck.

“You look beautiful, Nova.”

“Thank you, Wynter, you look quite dashing yourself.”

For a split second I was glad that Alexis wasn’t there. I wouldn’t have been able to go through with this if she sat in the audience. I felt guilty then because I was about to swear a solemn oath that I would love and protect and cherish Maya. Echo and I both knew that it was the biggest lie on earth.

The doors to the chapel opened and the royal announcer stepped forward. “His Royal Highness King Florin and Her Royal Highness Queen Alina de Haviland!” The King and Queen walked down the aisle as everyone bowed their heads and they took their seats on the two thrones raised a bit higher than the dais where Sorin would marry us.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Nicu de Haviland!”

“His Royal Highness Duke Wynter Grey accompanied by his brother Milo Grey, his father Ryder Grey, his mother Nova Grey and sister Shae Grey!”

I followed Nicu down the hall and Ryder led Nova and Shae to the front row where they’d sit. Milo and I bowed our heads at the King and Queen and I turned to face the doorway. The music slowed and Maya stepped into view.

“Her Royal Highness Princess Maya de Haviland accompanied by Lady Abigail Grey!”

Abigail smiled at me and then I looked at Maya. She was a vision in white with her face covered in a veil. I knew she’d look beautiful, she was a princess after all. Her dress had a long train as was befitting her status and she wore a tiara on her head.

Sorin stood in front of us and Abigail stepped to the side as Maya came to stand in front of me. The chapel was packed with the exact same guest list that had been invited to the banquet the previous day.

Sorin turned to look at me. “Wynter Grey, will thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together according to our teachings in the estate of matrimony? Will thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health so long as ye both shall live?”

I had to give it to Sorin, he didn’t even blink as I gave him my answer. “I will.”

He turned towards Maya and smiled kindly at her. “Maya de Haviland, will thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together according to our teachings in the estate of matrimony? Will thou love him, obey him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”

“I will.” Maya’s voice was unwavering and clear and I felt guilty again for not loving her.

“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?” Sorin took one step backwards and bowed his head.

The King stood up wearing his crown and looking every bit the royal that he was. “I do.”

“I now pray Typhon’s blessings upon these rings so that you may hold each other through sickness and health, through good times and bad, to love and to cherish one another till death do you part.”

Milo and Abigail handed over the rings to us at the same time. My hands were steady as I slid the ring on her finger and she smiled from beneath her veil as she did the same. The guests all stood as Maya and I knelt on cushions in front of the King.

“I give you my blessing to go forth as man and woman, husband and wife. I pray the blessings of Typhon upon this marriage, may it be fruitful and pure, may you live in happiness all the time that has been spared for you.”

“Now that Wynter and Maya have made their oaths each to the other, declaring their love by giving and receiving of a ring and by joining their hands, I pronounce that they be man and wife together. You may now kiss each other in front of all these witnesses and make your union valid.”

I helped Maya to her feet and lifted her veil. Her eyes held so much affection and love for me that I almost couldn’t kiss her. Sorin cleared his throat and I leaned forward and placed my lips on hers. It was quick and efficient, sealing the deal as everyone started applauding.

“I present to you Wynter and Maya Grey of house de Haviland!”

It was done, I was married. I took Maya’s hand and we signed the register with our fathers respectively acting as our witnesses while the chapel emptied to the outside awaiting our exit. Ryder looked less than happy but other people wouldn’t notice it, only us.

Our guests formed a tunnel with flowers held above their heads as we walked out of the chapel and into a horse-drawn carriage. We would ride the outskirts of the territory back to the castle while the guests walked there for the feast.

Maya turned in her seat and regarded me with curiosity. “Are you okay?” Her hand sought out mine and I let her grasp my fingers.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I don’t know, you look kind of miserable.”

“I’m sorry, it’s been a long few days and I’m not really one for mingling at feasts.”

“I understand and we still have a four hour drive to Mintia tonight.”

“I almost forgot we had to spend our first night as a married couple in our new home.”

“I’m sure we can arrange a driver.” Maya smiled sweetly at me.

“No, Milo will drive.”

Maya frowned slightly at that. “Milo? He’s coming with us?”

“Of course he is, he’s my brother. He goes where I go.”

“Wynter, it’s our wedding night.”

“So? I’m not going to argue about this. Milo comes.”

She sat back in her seat and looked away from me. I probably could’ve handled that a bit better but there was no way that I was leaving Milo at the palace with the King. Ryder, Nova and Shae were also leaving right after the feast and I couldn’t blame him. I didn’t even want to go to the feast.