Page 72 of Deceptive Vows
“Of course, Aunt Helen.” I quickly composed myself… or so I thought.
Her face fell. “Is everything okay? Are you having second thoughts? If you are?—”
I sprung to my feet. “No, not at all.” The honesty of that statementcaught me off guard. Instantly, I turned away, pretending to fuss with the dress.
Silence filled the space until the point I was uncomfortable, which wasn’t common for me.
"Thea." Her voice was barely audible, and yet, my heart felt it like a gong.
"What?" I turned, fixing a smile on my lips.
Her head was tilted, a serene look on her face. For what felt like an eternity, she held my gaze before closing the distance to take my hand. "Those edges you keep sharpened cut more than your enemies. It's okay to soften, to let people in. In our world, marriages are many times, loveless, but they don't have to be."
"Oh, Aunt Helen, I?—"
"I see the way he looks at you. That man has fallen for you. I don't know what that means long term, but there is a chance for happiness here, and I want that for you. My sister would want that for you. I'm not saying you should allow him to break your heart. I'm saying that maybe he won't. I'm saying, perhaps taking the chance might not be the worst decision you could make."
Tears stung my eyes.
"You are not your biological mother. You aremy sister's daughter. Worthy. Valuable. Loved. Wanted."
I swallowed hard. Her words felt like they were taking root in my heart and soul. I'd been an alley rat my entire life because I chose that identity. Perhaps it was time to let that go. Maybe it was time to let myself live.
"Thank you, Aunt Helen." I gathered her into a hug.
"I only spoke the truth." She held me out, her gaze raking over me. “Oh, your Ma would be in a puddle. Just look at you. The most beautiful bride ever.”
“Maybe not ever, but I’m in the running for top five at least.” I smiled.
Aunt Helen’s shoulders bounced as she laughed. “Ever so humble.”
I waved her off. “I can’t help it that I’m gorgeous.”
She pulled me into a hug. “I love you so much, Thea. I’m so proud of you. Ma and Pa would be too.”
My chest tightened. Would they? If they knew I would be annulling this marriage as soon as I could? Making a vow and thenbreaking it. Even though the idea made my stomach turn for reasons I didn’t want to dwell on at the moment.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about Nazar beyond fascination and an addiction to his kisses. Even as the thought tiptoed through my head, I knew it wasn’t the whole truth.
He made me feel alive. He wanted me. All of me. I could see it in the way he looked at me. It was like my ruined heart had finally found a place to rest, in his hands—not to be healed, but held.
Picturing us back-to-back, ready to take down an army of enemies, made more sense than picturing us at an altar. And yet, both images felt strangely right.
“I need to get changed so we can head to the rehearsal.” I gently broke our embrace.
Aunt Helen nodded and dabbed at her eyes. “Of course. I’ll just step out.” She paused at the door. “This time tomorrow…”
“I know.” I smiled.
After she left, I stood alone in the fitting room, staring at my reflection. The woman looking back at me was someone I barely recognized—vulnerable, hopeful, afraid. The dress was beautiful, but what it represented terrified me. Not the ceremony tomorrow, but what came after.
An annulment. The thought sat like a concrete weight on my chest. How could I promise forever when we both knew it was temporary?
The small voice that seemed to have taken up residence in the back of my mind whispered,or is it?
Nazar believed we could go beyond pretend. That this thing between us could grow into something real. For some strange reason, remembering that admission filled me with peace.
Closing my eyes, I took a breath. What was I thinking? It was all insanity. It would be fine. We would marry, get the annulment, and go our separate ways. Simple and easy. I hadn’t changed my mind. I was still marrying Nazar to save those girls.
