Page 28 of Eternal

My father stands to the side, allowing Luca to speak to me that way. I stare at him as if to ask why he isn’t doing anything, but he just keeps his eyes on his shoes.

I look at him with a blaze in my eyes, “Get the fuck out. Both of you.”

Luca smirks but obliges. My father is too cowardly to even look at me as they leave the room. What the fuck does Luca have over my father to have such control over one of the most powerful men in the country? I laugh at the ridiculousness of how my life is turning out to be. That laugh starts to turn into hyperventilating, and echoes of Tristan’s voice haunt me, screaming that I will be nothing. I will achieve nothing in life without him. I am worthless without him. I refuse to believe that. I take deep breaths, trying to reel myself back in from panic as the door creaks open.

Serena comes back in, rushing to me, “What the fuck just happened?”

“Don’t worry about it.” I don’t want to discuss this with her. She doesn’t need to know how scary this is becoming. “Did you give Soren the gift?” I ask, trying to push past it. I can only handle one thing at a time. First, I need to get through this fucking wedding.

“Yes, and he wanted me to thank you for the gift, and-” She struggles to remember the second half of the message, “Oh- and that he is eager to see you.”

I giggle, “Took you long enough to remember that.”

She shrugs, and there’s another knock on the door. Mother pops her head in the door along with Laura, and they keep it open.

“It’s time, my sweet,” My mother says softly, “Serena come with us. Freya has to do this walk on her own.”

My palms start to sweat, and I am now really petrified. The bliss I was in vanished as soon as Luca crossed through the room's threshold. I could’ve handled my father alone, but Luca has an air about him that sets every nerve in my body on edge. My stomach is still in knots, tightening even more when I think about being forced to have a child. Serena hugs me and follows the other two out the door. I pace back and forth, waiting for the cue to start my walk to the slaughter.

Abe appears in the doorway a moment after, “Freya, it’s time.”

I give a slight nod, turn to check myself in the mirror again, then start my descent down the stairs and into the backyard where the ceremony is being held. At the bottom of the stairs, a woman has a large bouquet for me to carry. I pass through the house to the back patio door, where a butler holds the door open. I look down and take a deep breath.

In and out.

Lifting my head, I place my first step on the patio, and my eyes travel to the large group of people standing and watching as I begin my walk. Soren waits at the end of the aisle. His newly gifted Rolex and black diamond cufflinks glimmer in the light. My eyes lock with his as he gives me a small smile, hands tucked behind his lower back. Deep, deep down, I’m okay with this. Realistically, I wish we would’ve dated after meeting, but for what it’s worth. This is okay too. He’s surprised me in the past couple of months. He’s been devoted, caring, and passionate. Everything I was not expecting. And frankly, if his face is what I wake up to every morning, I know I will die a happy woman. He’s perfect in every way. As his eyes scan the crowd, the smile disappears, like it’s only reserved for me.

He offers a hand to walk up to the officiant when I reach him.

He bends at the waist, whispering into my ear, “I’m glad you are who I get to marry.”

I squeeze his hand as the officiant starts talking. We exchange traditional vows but skip out on the love part. We don’t want to say it unless we mean it. As he said, he wants our relationship to be based on the truth. Our eyes never leave each other. My breath is stolen from me as he places the ring on my finger. His hands are gentle with mine, placing a small kiss on my hand before he releases me. As I put his black tungsten ring on, he smiles slightly and looks down fondly at his hand. He’s putting on a show for everyone here. It’s almost convincing.But I know it’s just for the guests. The officiant finally says the words I’ve been waiting for,

“You may now kiss the bride.”

Soren lifts the veil from over my head, and my heart begins to beat even faster. His eyes are more transparent than before, and he passionately kisses me. This, between us? It’s not for show.This is real.

Everyone else falls away from us again, leaving just us.

Eternally.

Chapter twelve

Freya

Irushbacktothe bridal suite trying to catch my breath. I splash water on my face trying to calm down, not giving a fuck if my makeup is ruined. I just need to calm down. My heart flutters a million miles an hour.I clutch my chest staring at my reflection. Our souls are like magnets, wanting to connect as soon as they get close. I can’t stop anything because when Soren and I are together, everything makes sense. But it terrifies the fuck out of me. I can’t tell if it’s the fear of how well we work together or if it’s my past holding me back.

The assistant moves from the main room to the bathroom doorway. “Ma’am, would you like to change into your reception outfit?” She stands behind me, her head is lowered, and her hands are clasped below her stomach.

I turn towards her and brush past her.

“Yes, please.” She gets started on the buttons at the base of my neck.

I can’t wait to get this fucking thing off. It’s so heavy and itchy. The tulle and the crystals, it’s all suffocating. I shuffle on my feet as I grow impatient and want her to move quicker. The door creaks open, and Soren appears in the room.

“Leave us.” His voice pierces the air.

My breath is stolen from my throat again. I open my mouth to protest when she nods and walks out immediately, keeping her head low and eyes diverted to the ground. He watches her leave, then turns his attention to me, striding across the room. His hand rests on my shoulder, and we stare at each other in the large mirror.

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