Here Lies a Saint (Here Lies #2) - C.L. Matthews Page 0,91
right. I was fucking right.
"You lied."
I pick up my towel and run out of the room. I can hear their footsteps. There's nowhere for me to go. There's no happiness here. There's no way this will end well.
Not just me marrying the guy I fell for, not being saved by my guys, and being ghosted by the twins.
Realization dawns on me when I come face to face with my mother. "Save me."
It's a whispered thought that somehow made it into air.
But as the tears stream her face, she shakes her head. "It's too late for that."
Chapter Thirty-Two
Lux
My father stands at the altar, and while this is a wedding, it's definitely more of a ceremony. It's less than grandeur, and usually years later, the people will have a ceremony for the outsiders to see.
That's how it works.
"Took you long enough. I'm assuming there was no sexual provocation?" My father directs the question at Jordan.
"No, sir. Colt got a little dizzy. She had to sit a moment."
It's not untrue. She got out of sorts.
Guess we kinda threw a lot on her all at once.
She stands as far from me as the tiny room allows. We're now in transparent white silken robes. Tasha holds Colt's shoulders. I'm sure the gesture is more so she doesn't run rather than because Tasha wants to care for her.
Colt doesn't look at me or the guys but instead looks at the onlookers.
Much like at a prison execution, there are chairs. Each male heir from the founding families shows up, watching to confirm the validity of the marriage. This way it can’t be questioned.
The typist sits to the far left, typing every word spoken.
Behind us is Ross and his father, Bridger and his father, and seeing her expression, to Colt's surprise, Justice, Prudence, and their father.
Her eyes fade. Much like when Cass died, she numbs herself to the moment.
"Tonight, we join two families, a merge that was meant to occur seventeen years ago."
I don't feel the shock. I'd known Tasha was meant to marry my father, to bear his heirs, but she fucked up and fell for Elijah. Then when their parents approved, Tasha and Elijah were supposed to marry, and once again, she ran away.
Somehow, she became pregnant. No father. Unmarked kids. She's an enigma. After all she pulled, she shouldn't be alive, and it still bothers me that I don't know why she lives.
Elijah takes the center with a book much like the one at the cabin. My father takes my left hand and Colt's right. He intertwines our fingers as if we're holding hands, binding them with black ribbon. My eyes stay stuck on Colt's expression, which is deader than her nickname.
Elijah begins to dictate our vows in Latin. The words don’t entirely click with me. I hear blood, bond, united, evermore, and... death.
Colt recites them verbatim, her voice void of emotion. When it comes to me, I repeat the words with false strength, knowing this is what's right for us, even if Colt hates me for the rest of our lives.
My father untwines our fingers, forcing the back of our hands together. He slices my palm first and then Colt's. When they're dripping profusely, he flips our hands back together, tightening the sash over our newly bound hands.
The blood drips down the black fabric, and Colt doesn't look at me once.
"The ceremony is complete. To all those who aren't witnesses, you can leave out the east door. To those who have been chosen, stay seated."
Everyone begins to file outward.
Ten and Jordan stay, the two I chose. Along with them sits Ross, Bridger, Justice, and Prudence. I turn my head at them all. The seven of us.
Why are they staying? We cannot trust them.
Elijah comes around and kisses my forehead, something he hasn't done since I was little, and to be honest, it bothers me. His father and mine have the worst rivalry, and they've always used their animosity on us both.
"I'm proud of you for doing what Jordan couldn't, Lux. Congratulations."
Without another word, he unties our hands and retreats. The blood has already coagulated, dried down mine and Colt's arms.
Jordan comes up to us, and all that's left are the seven people who are entwined with lies, blood, and secrets they seem to want to keep.
Turning to everyone, I feel speechless. "Why are you all here?" The words come out a hiss, but at this point, the only people I trust are Ten, Jordan, and Colt.