Hyacinth - By Abigail Owen Page 0,69

representing taking each other into themselves. To honor Alex’s history, they also incorporated a beautiful Cajun tradition of a wedding march.

The dance floor was cleared. Alex offered Ellie his arm. “Ready, Wife?”

Ellie grinned at her te’sorthene. “Lead away, Husband.”

Alex and Ellie held hands and walked slowly around the room while the band played a special song just for the occasion. After a few laps, Griffin approached Selene.

“May I?” He offered her a hand.

Selene merely nodded, placing her hand lightly in his and praying it wasn’t too sweaty. They joined Ellie and Alex in the dance. Gradually, everyone else in the room partnered off and joined in, following the bride and groom around the room until the song ended.

After it was over, the floor cleared again, and Griffin led Selene to where Adelaide and Nate were standing. And then, without a word, he disappeared into the crowd. Selene’s shoulders stiffened, but otherwise she kept a smile on her face and watched as Alex led Ellie through a floating waltz across the floor. Afterwards, the dance floor was opened to everyone, the band alternating between lively tunes and sweet love songs, keeping the party going most of the night.

Several hours into it, Selene was exhausted. She was so happy for Ellie and Alex, but her broken heart threatened to swallow her in a haze of misery. She plastered a smile on her face and kept it there through sheer force of will. Aware of her duties as the maid of honor, Selene stayed close to Ellie all night, making sure the bride’s needs were all taken care of. She really didn’t pay all that much attention to anyone or anything else. Consequently, she was slightly surprised when a strong male hand wrapped gently around her arm and tugged her out of the room via a side door. Desmond led her to the conservatory, which sparkled with strung-up twinkle lights.

“Desmond? What’s this about?” she asked as he turned to face her.

He shook his head. “When will you call me Dez, I wonder?” She said nothing, so he continued. “I wanted to talk to you alone. Tonight felt like the best night to ask you something. Fitting somehow.” He flashed his charming smile and confidence shone from his eyes.

“What are you doing?” Selene whispered to him, as he took her left hand in his and knelt to one knee before her. She gasped and covered her mouth in shock as she realized what was happening.

“Selene, my Queen and my friend…. A union of our two powerful families would unite the Vyusher people in such a way as to bring prosperity for centuries to come. I know in my heart that love would follow in time for both of us if you gave this union a chance. Would you do me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage?”

Selene looked deep into his sea-green eyes and saw his sincerity. Despite how her heart protested against anyone who wasn’t Griffin, a future with Dez flashed though her mind… a future of happiness, for he did make her smile and laugh at times… a future of grace and peace, for he was one of the finest and most honorable men she knew… a future of prosperity for herself and for her people, for the Vyusher would, indeed, band together behind them.

Selene lowered a shaky hand from her lips. Just as she was about to speak, a heart-wrenching cry sounded from the back of the room.

“NO!”

Chapter 44

Griffin rushed toward Selene. He fixed his intense gaze on her. “You can’t marry him,” he insisted in a low undertone.

“Why not?” Selene demanded.

Dez rose to his feet and moved behind her. “Maybe I should leave,” he murmured.

Selene glanced over her shoulder. “Dez, wait—”

He stepped forward and placed a hand on her cheek and gave her a lopsided smile. “Now she calls me Dez.” He paused. “He wasn’t claiming you. Not until this moment.” He glanced over her shoulder at Griffin, giving him a hard look. Dez leaned forward and whispered, “I won’t come between te’sorthene. Not when there’s a chance for you. Be happy.”

He kissed her cheek and turned to walk away, only to pause and glance back. “As your friend, I should warn you…. The Council will never accept him. And likely neither will the Vyusher.”

“I know,” she said quietly.

Dez stared at her solemnly for a second and then nodded at Griffin.

“Gunther,” he acknowledged. With a curt grin, he walked out of the room.

Slowly, Selene turned back to Griffin. “You