Page 115 of Bind Me

Her words fill me with warmth, and I squeeze her hand, feeling the soft tremor of nerves mixing with excitement. The reality of what’s about to happen swells inside me, almost overwhelming. Together, we start our journey down the corridor.

We descend the grand staircase of the hotel, my bare feet against the cold marble. As we pass through the lobby, everyone stops to look at us, their smiles warm and encouraging.

Billie squeezes my arm gently, whispering, “They can’t take their eyes off you. You’re radiant.”

I giggle nervously, my cheeks flushing. “I hope I don’t trip,” I confess, and Billie laughs softly.

“You’ll be fine. Just keep breathing,” she advises.

We head out the back entrance of the huge hotel, my heart fluttering like a bird in my chest. The large glass doors open directly onto the beach, revealing a breathtaking view of the ocean stretching to the horizon. The sound of waves gently crashing against the shore is captivating, and I take a deep breath of the salty sea air.

As we step onto the sand, a soft breeze tugs at the hem of my dress, and I feel the grains beneath my feet. The path to the altar is lined with delicate flowers. Together with Billie, I walk forward, each step taking me closer to a future I never dared to dream would be mine.

Standing at the edge of the beach, I gaze out at the shimmering crystal-blue water ahead of me. The calm sea stretches into the horizon as I take in the sight before me. A handful of cherished guests—Billie’s mates, her adorable twins, colleagues from work, and the friends Kaden and I have made—are gathered on the shore. Dressed in hues of white and blue, they look beautiful, all smiling warmly at me.

The guests are parted, leaving a clear path that leads into the shallow water. The sea is unusually still, almost like a mirror, which isn’t surprising when you have a kraken who can influence the ocean. At the end of a circular design of white flowers floating perfectly on the water, anchored in place, stands Kaden, the love of my life.

As we approach, Chowder pops up, floating alongside Eryx. When he sees me, he rushes over, holding a small black box in his hands.

“You’re beautiful,” he tells me with a wide grin. “And Eryx and I are flying later.”

I laugh softly at his excitement and watch as he paddles down the path ahead of me, making his way to Kaden. Waiting with him is Khaos, who agreed to marry us. As part god, he is qualified to be the celebrant, and he stands there in a white suit, barefoot in the ankle-deep water.

I turn my attention to my soon-to-be husband, and my stomach bursts with butterflies from the anticipation. I want to run to him, to feel his arms around me.

Kaden’s wearing fitted blue pants to match the color of my dress, and he’s shirtless. A necklace made of shells hangs around his neck, accentuating the tattoos that cover his muscular chest, collarbones, and arms. His long hair flutters in the light breeze, and even though I asked him to have his back to me until I arrived, he clearly had no intention of doing that. He’s smiling so widely, his eyes gleaming with joy.

Soft music begins, a beautiful melody played by a woman in a flowing white dress seated with a golden harp. The sound drifts through the air, setting the perfect tone. Billie and I walk down the sandy aisle, my legs shaking with excitement and nerves.

The crowd oohs and aahs over Chowder, who waddles closer in a little white vest with a flower pinned to the front. He looks utterly adorable. As he reaches Kaden, Khaos takes the ring box from Chowder, who swims around in the shallow water.

Billie squeezes my hand, whispering, “Ready, gorgeous?”

“I’ve been ready for so long,” I admit, feeling the truth of my words deep in my heart. “I just didn’t know it.”

I smile at everyone around me. As I step into the water, its cool touch caresses my feet, and my smile stretches as I move toward Kaden. His grin is enormous, those white teeth gleaming, and his eyes glint with barely contained emotion. It’s as though he’s holding back tears, and it touches me deeply.

The moment I reach his side, he scoops me up, his mouth finding mine instantly. I giggle against his lips, whispering, “This is supposed to come after we marry.”

“I can’t help it. I was about to die watching you come down here like a goddess. I’m not an emotional man, I’d like to think, but right now, I’m about to bawl my eyes out that I found you.”

I kiss him back, lost in the joy of the moment, while Khaos clears his throat, and the crowd chuckles softly.

Sliding back to my feet, I stand beside this huge man who towers over me, who loves me so much that I’m ecstatic. Kaden holds my hand tightly, as if unable to bear even the smallest distance between us. Just then, Chowder pops up, floating between us, a cherished member of our family.

Khaos begins the ceremony, his voice resonant and warm.

“We gather here today to witness the union of Kaden and Sasha, two souls intertwined by fate and love. May their journey together be filled with joy, strength, and endless adventure.”

Tears well up in my eyes, happiness overwhelming me. This is the kind of joy I never thought I’d experience.

Kaden squeezes my hand gently, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a soothing gesture. As Khaos speaks, the words flow over me like a blessing. I glance up at Kaden, my heart full of love and gratitude. His eyes meet mine, filled with an emotion that takes my breath away. We’ve been through so much to reach this point, which makes me love him that much more.

Khaos smiles at us both, then nods to Chowder, who offers the rings with a proud little chirp. We each take one from the box, then slip them onto each other’s fingers, the circle of gold covered in diamonds a symbol of the endless love we share.

“With these vows and the exchange of rings, I now pronounce you married,” Khaos declares, his voice carrying over the sound of the gentle waves. “You may kiss your bride… again.”

The crowd laughs while Kaden draws me to him, capturing my lips in a passionate kiss that weakens my knees. The world fades away, leaving only the two of us and the ocean’s embrace. Cheers and applause rise from our guests, but all I can feel is the warmth of Kaden’s arms and the certainty that this is where I belong.

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