Page 48 of Lies That Blemish
I did something selfish then, without consulting my advisors and without thinking of my sisters or my country. I did something for myself.
“Yes,” I breathed.
His grin grew wider as he slipped the ring onto my finger. Then he stood, placing another kiss on my lips. I’d never felt so complete as when Kohen’s lips were on mine. “Stars, I missed you, Aisling,” he breathed against my mouth, and I whimpered.
I’d missed him too—I’d missedus. I’d prayed that our love wasn’t fake. Something in my heart healed at that moment. Sometimes, our parents disappointed us. My mother died, not her fault, but it had left me looking for attention and approval from the only remaining parent I had left. Which meant I’d glanced past all of my father’s faults until, in the end, he let me down, too. Now Kohen filled those gaps. Healed the wounds that an absent narcissist had inflicted. I didn’t know if I could ever truly show him how much that meant to me, but if binding myself to him in marriage now meant that I could spend the rest of my life feeling this way, feeling healed and loved and good enough, then I was saying yes and never looking back.
Kohen pulled my hand, guiding me down the small dark alley the priest had disappeared into, and when we came out the other side, I grinned.
The small outdoor patio was still standing, beauty among the ashes of a fallen place. An arch trellis was set up with purple flowers unmarred by the fires. And underneath stood a priest, beaming at us both.
I approached him cautiously. I was the reason for so much wrong in his country. He must hate me. But when we got near, he bowed to me deeply. “Empress.”
“Thank you for doing this, Sai.” Kohen embraced the man.
“It is my honor, my king.”
My king. Somehow, in all of this, I’d forgotten Kohen was a king now.
How did a king and an empress come together as one?
I was about to find out because I didn’t care about the repercussions of this wedding anymore. I wanted it for me, even if my people tried to take it from me.
The priest began by singing the most beautiful song in a deep timbre in Imbrian. He belted to the sky, and I peered over at Kohen to find him staring at me with absolute adoration.
What did I do to deserve this kind of love?
Growing up under the harsh fist of my father, I never imagined any type of love. Jace was puppy love compared to this. Kohen was the other half of my soul.
The priest asked if we wanted to say anything to each other first, and Kohen reached up and stroked my cheek.
“Aisling, from this moment forward, I promise to love you with all that I am, to stand by your side through every high and low. I vow to cherish and respect you and hold you close in the hardest moments. I vow to lead our countries together asoneand teach our children to do the same. But most of all, I vow to protect you, no matter what, forever and always.”
Our countries as one.He wanted to join with Amersea again? Tears filled my eyes. Our children. My protection. It was so romantic, and my heart felt so full. I hadn’t prepared for this. I had nothing planned, so I just spoke from my heart.
“Kohen, I never could have dreamed up a love like this. I promise you I am going to make mistakes.”
He smiled.
“But I vow to always right my wrongs and respect your opinion, even though mine is probably better.”
Both the priest and Kohen laughed.
“To lead our countries as one and to always come home to you. I love you.”
The priest placed his hands over mine and Kohen’s, joining them together. “It is my great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.” He squeezed our hands and then bowed to us both before walking away.
“That was it?” I asked. “We’re married?”
“According to Imbrian law. A priest has heard our love declared and sealed our bond. Now, he will write the declaration down and file it away in the hall of records. It’s official, Aisling. You are my wife.”
Official. I was officially Kohen’s wife!
“Oh my stars, I’m married,” I said, almost unable to believe it.
“Yes, wife, you are,” he grinned.
I moaned, “Say it again.” My heart ached to hear it a thousand times.
