Page 79 of Sophie's Ruin
“No, I’m not,” I told her with a small smile. I’d never been so sure about anything in my life.
“Of course, you’re not—what a silly question. After everything you went through to get Henry back, why would you be nervous about marrying him?” The girl muttered as if to herself. “I have to admit, I didn’t understand it at first. When Celeste told me you went…” Bright green eyes shot to mine in the mirror.
“Unhinged?” I prompted.
Amelie grimaced but nodded.
“I couldn’t understand it at first, but I think I’m beginning to now…” she trailed off, her cheeks turning pink.
“You like Waylon,” I said a moment later.
Amelie swallowed before words began spilling out of her. “I have these…feelings in my chest, in my heart, and mostly they bring me joy, but…sometimes they terrify me,” she rambled, mindlessly worrying the loose strands of my hair. She’d pinned the top half up, leaving the bottom to cascade down my back. “I’ve never had feelings like these toward anyone. I’ve only everread about them in books. It’s so scary to fall…” she caught herself, releasing a shuddering breath.
When I went to turn away from the mirror, she realized what she was doing with my hair and let go of the silky locks.
“Did Waylon tell you about our history?” I asked, as I rose from the chair and faced her.
“He did, and I have to admit it made me a bit jealous at first when he told me,” Amelie said, meeting my gaze. “But then I saw you with Henry, and seeing you two together erased any doubts from my mind. It’s obvious you only have eyes for each other.”
I inclined my head in confirmation she didn’t need.
“I only asked if you knew about Waylon and me to tell you that we’ve known each other for a long time.” I clasped her delicate hands. “Waylon is a good man, so if you fall, he will be there to catch you.”
“Like Henry caught you?” she asked, and my lips curved into a smile.
“Yes.” My gaze grew distant as I thought about it. “I think he was catching me even before I knew I was falling.”
My breath hitched as my chest became too tight, struggling to contain the love I felt for him. I took a steadying inhale and refocused on Amelie. “But because Waylon is a good man, I need you to promise me something.” My gaze fastened on hers to make sure she was listening and paying attention. “When you fall, and he catches you, you will have to catch him in return.”
“I will,” Amelie whispered as if making a vow.
I smiled at the young witch, and she smiled right back, her pretty face lighting up with girlish excitement.
“Isabelle’s here,” I said, letting go of Amelie’s hands.
My vampire ears had picked up on her approach a few seconds before.
When she rapped her knuckles on my bedroom door and walked in, I turned toward her.
“Are you ready for your wedding dress?” she asked, holding up a long, ivory-hued gown with lace overlay.
My smile grew as I took in the gown. The flutter sleeves were short and made entirely of lace, while the neckline was in the shape of a V but didn’t plunge too deep. The dress was simple and elegant and instantly felt like me.
“Did you select the gown yourself?” I asked Isabelle, my eyebrows raised.
“I did.” She inclined her head, looking proud of the fact. “I would have picked something more revealing to flaunt your slender form, but I know your taste is different from mine.”
“It’s perfect,” I breathed, reaching out to brush my fingers over the lace. “Thank you.” I lifted my gaze to Isabelle’s. “For everything.”
I was grateful to her for so many things. For fighting with Henry against the clans after he’d sent me away, for rushing to his side to help him when I’d shown up at the estate with his limp body in my arms, for not tearing out my throat when she’d realized that I was the one who’d hurt him, but most of all for telling me not to give up on our love even when she’d been scared I would take him away from her.
Isabelle’s stunning features softened as we stared at each other.
“Thank you for making Henry happy,” she said. “And if you ever hurt him again, Iwillkill you,” she added, but her mouth twitched as if she were fighting a smile.
I didn’t hide my own smile as I said, “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.”
When I turned back to Amelie, her eyes were wide as they darted between Isabelle and me.
