Page 12 of The Grim Reaper's Wife

Silas stood to the side, smoking a cigarette, as I fixed the tie I wore. Today was the day I would marry the girl.

It was nothing special, a small chapel at my family’s recognized church. Silas was here as my witness along with Liam. I sent Eli to Bursia to tell my parents the news.

I could’ve done it myself but I needed to keep the fucker busy and away from me.

Silas was right we were like that when we were young- prone to explode, stubborn- but I can’t ever remember being so fucking infuriating.

I always felt like he thought he needed to prove himself to us; show us he was just as vicious as we were. Father always called him the lamb among wolves. It shot the kid’s confidence down so he wanted to prove he belonged in this family.

“Put that out,” I said as I began to walk to the altar, my men standing guard around the perimeter.

No one knew about today’s proceedings, and I didn’t think I would be attacked on holy grounds- another code- but I preferred to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, especially with Ilya’s son causing havoc in the country.

I don’t think he was stupid, but he was vengeful and that was dangerous. Revenge had no bounds and I rather not lose my wife on the day of our wedding before I got the name of Michael’s goddamn supplier.

However, I had been careful about announcing my marriage by not doing it. Of course, everyone would salivate at their mouths to know who was the woman that could resuscitate the Grim Reaper’s dead heart; it was a sure way for them to make me bleed.

Standing with Silas at my side and the priest in front of me, I waited for my bride.

After several minutes, the soft keys of a piano began to play and my attention darted to the end of the hall.

At the end of it stood a calm Michael, his body blocking his sister.

When he finally stepped to the side, I was rendered speechless at the woman that stood at his side.

If I had knew this was the beauty that sat across from me at dinner a few nights ago, I would've marry her on the spot.

She wore a simple, silk floor-length dress that accentuated her broad hips, small waist, and heavy breasts. Her skin was a contrast to the white material that draped her body.

Her curly black hair framed her round face which was mostly taken up by her brown doe-like eyes. She looked innocent; pure.

Her plump lips were slightly parted as her chest moved up and down slowly, her eyes carrying a distinct sadness as she stared at me.

She was ethereally beautiful.

My brother released a low whistle, “Damn, you did good, brother."

I grunted my agreement. My chest pumped, a wave of possessiveness residing there, as I stared at her walking down the aisle, her hand held by her brother’s.

By the end of the day, she would be my wife.

When her brother placed her hand in mine, I heard her breath hitch. Her chest now heaving as she stared at me, panic and fear tainting the brown orbs.

“Relax,” I whispered, my hand squeezing her soft, tiny hands.

With those two syllables, she released one breath, her chest returning to its slow thumps, but her eyes were still filled with a subtle hint of fear as she looked at me when the priest started to bind us as man and wife.

“Since it is your intention to enter the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.”

“I, Elias Galdur, take you, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life,” I repeated as my eyes bore her soul.

Marriage was not a goal of mine, yet it happened. I had no option but to honor my wife, never mind the God I mocked.

I would not love her, but she could be assured that I would protect and respect her. I wouldn’t fail her like the past men in her life. And I hoped that was clear by the conviction in my voice as I recited my vows.

Her hands became clammy against my own when the priest mentioned it was her turn. She looked to her brother, tears glistening in her eyes, almost like she was pleading with him one last time to dissolve this agreement.

Her brother nodded his head and with that, Mia looked to me again and began to recite her vows. Her voice trembling with each word.

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