Page 109 of The Diávolos: Part Two
“Yes,” I answer simply, smiling up at my friend, and then we start making our way up the steps.
When we reach the doors, my heart skips a beat, a pause that reverberates through my chest.
Hundreds of lit candles fill the nave all the way up to the altar where Evander, Dion, Xander and Hendrick are waiting. On the other side, Nicole, Amanda, Daniel, and Aria stand next to an empty space meant for me.
At the sight of Evander standing next to the priest under a massive, beautiful flower arch, I’m so close to letting out the tears I’ve been bearing all day.
My hands tremble uncontrollably, fingers twitching with nervous energy. When Evan’s gaze catches mine, I feel a shiver run down my spine.
He smiles and, in that moment, I realize—I’m doing this. I’mactuallydoing this.
Gianis places his palm on my back, his eyes searching mine for confirmation, for reassurance that I’ll be okay. I nod.
The nimble sound of a violin echoes in the church as we walk down the aisle.
I couldn’t have my father give me away, so I asked my best friend to do it, which he graciously accepted, and it means a lot more to me than he thinks.
When I reach Evander, Gianis gives me a light peck on the cheek and goes to stand next to Hendrick who claps him on the back as if they’re the best of friends. I still find that odd, but I have other things to focus on right now.
Extending my arm to my husband, I climb up to the altar and stand in front of him, my heart fluttering.
“Thank you for being here today,” the priest announces to the few guests, mainly mine and Evan’s friends. Because of the hostility and dangers still roaming the streets, we didn’t invite too many people, trying to keep the risk to a minimum. “I’m sure Evander and Angelica are honored to have you all here to witness their union. Now, before I start, I’d like to give the opportunity for anyone to speak up against this marriage.”
No one objects, as expected. And I’m thankful because Evander would’ve turned this into a red wedding very fast.
Before the ceremony begins, Evan and I place the rings on the tips of our fingers and Dion, theKoumbaro, exchanges them three times before the priest blesses us and places the rings on our hands. Then, we’re handed candles to hold throughout the ceremony while the priest recites one of the traditional readings.
Evander and I keep our eyes on each other as Aria and Dion place the wedding crowns on our heads. In the next few minutes, we will be joined in matrimony in Greek tradition, tied to each other for the rest of our lives, through sickness and in health.For real, this time.
The priest blesses us once more before removing the marital crowns. “You may now kiss the bride.” The room fills with hoots and hollers from our friends.
My breath hitches when Evander grabs my face and places a gentle but firm kiss on my lips. I can’t contain my wide smile when we break off and a shiver runs down my spine from the way my husband is looking at me, as if he—
Right at that moment, fireworks explode outside and the building shakes around us, ripping me away from him.
It’s then I realize that those weren’t fireworks at all.
A fucking bomb has just gone off.
Evander jumps on top of me as another explosion erupts, and all I can hear is screaming. Through the blinding noise, I try to focus on my surroundings, but I can barely see through the smoke and dust.
I extend my arms around me to grab onto something I can use to stand, but Evan hoists me up before I get the chance. “Xander, take the women to the chancel!” he shouts.
“I’m not leaving you!” I argue, a sob escaping my mouth.
I can’t lose him.
Flashbacks of the day he got shot at Academia flicker in my mind, and my heart squeezes at the thought of something happening to him again.
Another bang goes off, and I suddenly lose sight of Evan. Frantic, I glance around for the girls, but my vision is disfigured, as if I’m looking through a fish lens. “Riri! Nikki! Manda!” I bellow, desperate to locate my friends.
Daniel appears in front of me, and I latch onto his chest. “Oh, thank God! Where are the others?”
“Angelica, you need to go,” he pleads. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Everyone I care about is in this one place, and I can’t stomach the thought of leaving anyone behind. “NO! I can’t, D! I’m not losing any of you.”
Xander tries to lead me toward the back of the church, but I cement my feet to the ground.
