Page 128 of The Fighter
“Aww, look at them, they’re so in love.” Mila tilted her head and placed her hands on her chest. “I want that too.”
“Don’t get any funny ideas.” Khan waved a finger at her. “This business of falling in love is flaky and not a good way to guarantee that you get the strongest protector possible. Raven made a good choice with Leo, but it’s better if love grows after you pick the right champion at your tournament.”
The talk and the congratulations continued as they wanted more details about when Raven had fallen in love with me.
“You used to think he was boring and stiff, remember?” Mila laughed. “You even said you didn’t want me to marry him because he didn’t have a sense of humor.”
Raven blushed a little. “Sorry about that. I guess I didn’t know that side of him until recently.”
“Or maybe you just wanted Leo for yourself all along,” Mila teased.
“Maybe.”
The two friends were smiling at each other when Mila declared, “As consolation for stealing one of my champions away from me, you’ll have to let me help plan the wedding.”
“We just want a small ceremony.” Raven’s words were overpowered by Khan, who clapped his hands.
“Excellent. Now that we have confirmed that Leo and Raven want to marry, we’ll make it a festive day to bring joy to the entire country. This is exactly what the Northlands need right now. After your wedding, I’ll announce the election and then right before the voting day, we’ll have Mila’s tournament. That way, my popularity will remain high.”
Pearl released Raven’s hand. “The ceremony will need to be transmitted to the country, though, and it would work better if you had a grand ceremony instead of a small one.”
Raven and I exchanged a glance.
“Honey, I know you said you wanted a small ceremony, but if this can help the Northlands to be a democratic country, it’s worth considering a large ceremony, isn’t it?” Christina asked.
Raven sighed but didn’t answer, so her mom turned to me. “Would you mind a big ceremony?”
I hesitated too.
“We’ll pay for it of course,” Christina added.
“As long as I get to marry Raven, I’m good with whatever. Obviously, Raven has to be comfortable with the scale of it, but I want every man in the whole world to know that she’s mine now.”
One of the French doors opened and Samara popped her head in. “When is dessert ready?”
“In a few minutes,” Christina answered and turned to Raven. “So, what do you say? Will you marry Leo in front of the whole country?”
Raven swallowed hard but then she locked eyes with me. “Yes, let’s tell every woman in the world that you’re mine as well.”
Epilogue
Winter Wedding
Two months later on New Year’s Eve 2448
Leo
I looked out my window for the seventh time, feeling anxious for Zasquash and Solo to get here. This time, I lit up as Solo’s new drone came in view.
It took a long minute or two for the drone to land and for my friends to cross the frost-covered ground to my front door, where I stood waiting for them.
“You look like a man ready to get married.” Zasquash grinned and gave me a masculine hug.
“Did you get any sleep last night?” Solo came in and hugged me too. “Remember how I didn’t sleep the night before my wedding. I was fucking terrified that Willow would have regrets and not go through with it.”
“I think I slept an hour or two, but it doesn’t matter. I’m so pumped with adrenaline.”
“Good. And Raven, did you talk to her?”
