“Finally,” I said as I slid carefully out of my seat. I straightened my dress without looking down, and turned to face the full-length mirror in the bedroom. My hair had been brushed out and braided into one thick strand. The strand twisted around my head and bent into a spiral at the base of my neck, before being shaped into a flower. The braid was fastened in place by crystal hairpins that shimmered under the light. My eyes moved from my beautifully painted face and hair down to the dress.
My wedding dress was a white, mermaid-style, floor-length dress that narrowed in at the waist before flaring out after it reached my knees. The bodice of the dress featured a halter neckline with dramatic beads and crystals sewn into the fabric. Small white, embossed fabric flowers were sewn into the skirt. A clump of small crystal beads adorned the center of each flower, and the beads reflected the light whenever I moved the skirt. There was a short train in the back that I wouldn’t have to worry about stepping on accidentally.
The only thing that worried me was the long, thin scar that marred the left side of my face. The first bit of the scar was hidden in my hairline, but the rest of it twisted around my temple and down the outside of my cheek, before twisting under my ear and disappearing into my hairline at the base of my skull. All together it was about ten inches long, and I could easily hide it on a normal day. However, with my hair pinned up, it would be on full display for everyone to see.
At least it matches my other scar…I thought glumly. My gaze dropped to the thin red scar that ran between my breasts. With the low-cut of my dress, part of that scar was on display as well. Today they were the only flaws that made me feel less than beautiful. I knew Quinten would still love me regardless of a scar or two, and I knew that it was either get the scar or die on both occasions, but I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret at the sight of it. However, Jenna and Darren seemed to be waiting for me to say something positive.
“I’m beautiful,” I said in awe, ignoring the far left side of my face. The dress was beautiful and it fit perfectly in all the right places. I couldn’t wait to see the look on Quinten’s face when he saw me, and I couldn’t wait to see him in his tuxedo. He would no doubt look handsome in his black suit.
“Yes, you are,” Ray said, leaning against the open doorway. He looked extremely handsome in a black suit and tie, and I noticed his gaze didn’t stay on me for long. He took in every inch of Jenna in her dress, and he smiled slowly. Their eyes met and held for a brief second, and I could feel the chemistry between the two of them. Jenna had all but moved completely in with Ray, and with how often she’d been around and everything she’d done for us, she was all but officially my mother. And I wished her and Ray all the happiness in the world, but today was my day.
This day is mine and Quinten’s. Nobody else’s. Ray and Jenna will have their day sometime in the future, probably very soon. But for now, this is all about the two of us, and we’ve been waiting so long for this…
Ray offered me his arm. “It’s nearly time,” he said quietly. I rested my palm on his forearm and moved closer to him. His body was rigid with tension, and I elbowed him gently. Leave it to Ray to worry as much as he was on such a wonderful day. I didn’t know why he was worrying; I was the one that was getting married.
“Relax, Dad. Everything will be alright,” I said as Jenna and Darren slipped out of the room before us. Jenna and Darren were my bridesmaids and they needed to take their places under the arch with Quinten and his best man. When they were gone, Ray looked down at me. “Quinten will make a good husband,” I assured him.
“I know,” Ray said fondly. Since our fight with Roger and Elias, Ray loved Quinten more than ever, if that was even possible. “Quinten’s a good man. He’ll make a good husband, and a good father. That’s not what I’m worried about. Deep down, I know he’ll always treat you right, and give you everything you’ll ever need, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come to me. You know that, right?”
That’s what he’s worried about? That I’ll suddenly wake up and realize I don’t need him? “Dad, Quinten and I will be around so much you’ll get sick of us for sure. Plus, you’re welcome to drop by anytime. I’m sure Benjamin and Brianna would love to see you.” Ray smiled at the mention of his two grandchildren, just like I knew he would. “I’m happy with the way things turned out,” I said as the music started.
“Me, too,” he said quietly as we walked out to the backyard. It had been completely transformed since the last time I saw it. Picnic tables that were covered with green silk tablecloths held food and champagne under white canvas awnings, while white chairs were spread out in rows on either side of a white carpet path up to the arch where Quinten stood waiting for me with his hands clasped behind his back. Jax was in a tux by his side, leaning on a wooden cane for support.
Beautiful flowers of all colors were threaded through the arch while rose petals were spread all down the path leading up to the arch. Looking out at the filled seats, I recognized quite all of the faces there. I saw Nolan, Dennis and Haley, Dera and the other new Council members, and even Quinten’s grandmother. He had been unsure about bringing her, but even though she most likely wouldn’t remember this day, he had wanted her to be here for him.
She looked right at me as I passed by and there seemed to be a hint of recognition in her eyes. She smiled as Ray and I reached the arch, and there was a second of hesitation. I could tell Ray wasn’t sure if he wanted to let go of me–or if he even could–but then Quinten clapped him on the shoulder firmly. Without a word, Ray smiled and let go of me, before passing me over to Quinten.
I wasn’t sure who the man officiating was, but to be honest, I wasn’t really paying attention to what he was saying. The second he had started to speak, my eyes found Quinten’s, and I found that I couldn’t look away from him. He looked more handsome in his tuxedo than I had ever seen him, and I realized that he would be mine for the rest of our lives. He held my hands in his, and he and I spoke mechanically.
“I, Quinten, take you, Alanna, to be my beloved wife, to have and to hold, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life,” he said, sliding a ring onto my finger.
“I, Alanna, take you, Quinten, to be my beloved husband, to have and to hold, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life,” I said, pushing a ring onto his finger with trembling hands. The second we had both said our vows, Quinten leaned forward, and he kissed me–his wife–for the first time.
It should have felt weird kissing him in front of all of our friends and family, but it wasn’t. We were married, and that was what married people did. They could kiss in public without feeling self-conscious about it, or without being judged. And I knew that I would be kissing Quinten every chance I got, for as long as we both lived. And we were both going to live for a very long time.
When the two of us broke apart, people began to applaud loudly. For the first time since taking my place at the arch, I turned and looked out at the people in attendance. Ray sat in the front row with Benjamin and Brianna in his lap. He was crying tears of joy and didn’t care who saw it, but I pretended not to notice anyway. When I turned back to Quinten, I saw that he was smiling, and he looked happier than I had ever seen him.
Quinten’s hand rested firmly at the small of my back, slowly warming the area. He pulled me closer and cupped my face gently with his free hand “Alanna, this is the happiest day of my life. Not only did I just marry the woman of my dreams, but my children were there to witness is. Your father trusts me to take care of you for all of eternity, and that’s just what I’m gonna do.” His eyes met mine. “Alanna Taylor, you and I have the rest of eternity to build a life together, and I plan to make the most of it…”
“You’d better,” I sai
d, pressing my lips to his as everyone around us began to cheer once again.
End of Book Three.
Other Books by Samantha Hoffman:
The Arena Wars (Arena Wars #1)
War of Hearts (Arena Wars #2)
Consumed By War (Arena Wars #3)
Zombie Island (Zombie Apocalypse #1)
Zombie Country (Zombie Apocalypse #2)
Zombie World (Zombie Apocalypse #3)
Tales of Terror from Survivors (Zombie Apocalypse #3.5)
The Awakening (Daray Hall #1)
The Protector (Daray Hall #2)
Dark Secrets (Dark Heritage #1)
Dark Revenge (Dark Heritage #2)
Dark Possession (Dark Heritage #3)
Missing (Brighton Wolves #1)
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Arena Wars Trilogy Page 54