Page 230 of The Darkest Chase

My hair is piled up in ringlets and dotted with white flowers. The same flowers circle my wrists and throat in a fragile collar and delicately woven bracelets.

For my makeup, I went with a subtle and dewy look.

I feel like I’m just waiting for my prince to sweep me away into the meadows.

The subtle shimmer of silver and white dusted against my skin fits the winter wedding theme. A snow bride, surrounded by sparkling frost on the shores of this frozen lake.

How fitting.

It’s like everything started here, camping that night.

So I guess it’s the place where our lives should turn over a new chapter, too.

A fresh beginning as husband and wife.

Breathlessly, I try to smile at my nervous reflection.

“Don’t look so scared,” Delilah teases. “He’s not going to run away, girl. And if he does, we’ll send the whole Redhaven crew after him.”

She clasps my arms, looking at me over my shoulder in the mirror with a warm smile. Her dark hair tumbles down over us both, her lilac bridesmaid dress swirling gently against her.

“He might eat her,” Ophelia teases from my other side. “The big bad wolf coming for Little Red.”

I blush wildly, and I can’t help looking at my throat in my reflection.

My pale, smooth throat, completely unblemished today.

Yeah, he’s been forbidden from biting me for weeks now—anywhere that might show in my wedding dress, at least.

He grumped. He growled. He sulked a lot.

But he listened.

Even if he’s been busy marking up my inner thigh.

They throb with a hot twinge, a deliciously dark memory of everything he’s done to me.

Big bad wolf, indeed.

“He’s not going to eat me,” I say, my voice shaky. “And I know he won’t run. He’s way too proud for that.”

Janelle looks up from fussing with her hair and her flowers and steps closer to clasp my hand warmly.

“Then what are you so worried about, dear? You’re practically shaking.”

“I just…” I swallow. “I don’t want him to go through with this and regret anything.”

Janelle smiles reassuringly.

“Oh, I had a peek a few minutes ago,” she says with a smile. “He looks elated. I’ve never seen that boy so fired up since he came to Redhaven. Before you, his smiles were always missing a little something. I know what it is now.” Her thumb strokes my knuckles. “Talia, he was missing you. You’ve brought him back to life. I can’t see how he could ever regret that.”

Laughing, warmth spreads through my chest.

“God, I hope you’re right.”

“She is!” Delilah nudges me gently. “You aren’t the one getting cold feet, are you?”

“No way!” I promise. “I really want this. I’m just worried I’m going to trip or have an asthma attack. You all worked so hard, and I’m going to ruin the whole thing.”

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