Page 102 of American Queen (New Camelot Trilogy 1)
Hope.
“Congratulations.”
Ash and I look up from the bridal table to see Embry in front of us. He’s already given his speech, but there’s still cake and dancing to be had in the massive reception pavilion. It’s set high up in the river bluffs, overlooking the dun ribbon of water below, and less than a mile off, the skyline twinkles merrily. All around us are nearly seven hundred guests laughing and eating and drinking while the press hovers nearby like moths near light.
But Embry looks pale. Tired. He’s still in his tuxedo jacket, even though Ash has long since ditched his, and I can tell that he hasn’t had anything to eat or drink.
“Embry,” Ash says warmly. “Pull up a chair and eat with us.”
“Actually, I think I’m going to head back to the hotel,” Embry says, not looking at either of us. “I’m not feeling well. A bug, I think.”
“Stay,” I say, reaching for his hand. “Please. Drink with us. Dance with us.”
He glances at me and then at Ash, at us together at the bridal table with our rings glinting in the twinkling lights. “I can’t. Congratulations, again. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.”
And with those hollow words, he leaves.
I stand up, about to chase after him, but Ash takes my hand and stops me. “Greer. The press.”
“Fuck the press,” I grumble, but I allow him to tug me back down to my chair anyway.
“And besides,” Ash continues, “it would be cruel to ask him to stay and endure his pain so publicly.”
Love endures all things. The Bible verse from the church floats into my mind. But perhaps love shouldn’t have to endure all things. Perhaps it would be cruel to make Embry stay.
“Angel,” Ash says, taking both my hands into his. His fingers find my ring, and I smile at the possessive way he rubs it with his fingertips. “Wife. What’s your safe word?”
“Am I going to be belted in order to earn my slice of cake?”
A small smile but he doesn’t take the bait. “Say it so I know that you have it close. That you know it’s yours to use for any limit. Any limit.”
I look down to where his fingers are playing with my ring. “Maxen.”
“Good.” He leans down to kiss the ring, letting his lips linger at the junction of metal and flesh. “Tonight’s our wedding night, Greer.”
“I know,” I sigh. “Can’t we just leave these people and start it now?”
He hesitates, his lips still on my hand.
“What is it? Were you planning on doing something extreme tonight? I’ll try it. You know I’ll try anything you ask me to.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. You have to agree to this because you want it, not just because you think I want it.”
He straightens and takes a deep breath. “I want Embry to join us tonight.”
I don’t answer. I can’t answer, actually, because I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
“Today was perfect,” he says in a low voice. “Listening to you on the phone while he touched you was…electrifying. And marrying you, Greer, saying those words to you was the happiest moment of my life. Today feels like magic—tonight feels like magic—and I want more of it. I want us, all three of us, to feel it together. If today was about the two of us making vows, then tonight should be about the three of us taking the next step together.”
I finally find my voice. It’s dry, threatening to crack. “And what’s the next step?”
“I don’t know,” he says, giving me a smile so beautiful it breaks my heart. “But I’m ready to find out.”
The evening passes in a blur. We dance, my grandfather cries, Abilene flirts. There are too many senators and heads of state and businesspeople and celebrities to keep straight, and it’s impossible to keep track of time or the number of people who wish us congratulations. When I glance at Ash’s watch, I’m shocked to see it’s past eleven p.m.
“It’s late,” I say to Ash, squeezing his hand.
He squeezes back. “I’m having a hard time being pati
