Page 138 of Jace
Proudly, Vivian takes one from Zar, dabbing her eyes. “Thank you. I’m honored, our Queen. I promise I’ll make you proud.”
“You already do, dear.” Mom winks, then claps her jeweled hands together. “Alright. Let’s anoint our final queen.”
I’m in a haze, leading Vivian to stand with me in the middle of the throne room. Clasping her small hands and gazing down at her, joy tumbles through my soul.
She’s riveted by Sire’s ceremony, intently focused on his words, which only makes him drone on… and on… and on.
Sweet, Jesus, help us.
My brother can preach.
I’ve witnessed six initiations, but now that it’s my queen’s, I just want to dive into her beauty and never return.
Vivian let me give her a dress to wear tonight. It’s an elegant slip that’s pure white and pure lotus silk; the softest I could find for her sensitive skin.
Of course, she wore her hair in a high ponytail for me with golden whisps framing her face.
My pure beauty. No makeup. No heels. No jewelry. No?—
Shit, wait. Vivian doesn’t like jewelry.
She prefers simplicity. One wedding ring, sure, she’ll wear it. And earlier today, she got the diamond Monroe piercing all the queens wear, but what about the…
“Ahem.” Sire clears his throat, snapping me into focus. “Let’s try this again. Do you, Jace Ryan, with a free and unconstrained will, claim Vivian Tate as your queen?”
“Uh… uh, yeah,” I stammer. “Shit, yeah. I mean… Yes, I do.”
“You sure?” Viv laughs lightly.
“Sorry, baby,” I mumble. “I just got distracted by how beautiful you are.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Grant groans.
“Shut up,” Wren chirps at him. “They’re so cute, and we’ve waited forever for this.”
“Will you, Jace, guard her, above all, with your life?” Sire booms, regaining control. “Will you love her, above all, with your heart? Will you die for Vivian, with no hesitation, leaving her your soul?”
I focus on her baby blues. “Yes, I will. She’s my best friend, the queen of my heart, my love forever.”
Vivian bites her lip.
“Will you,” Sire continues, “Vivian Tate, with a free and unconstrained will, accept our brother, Jace Ryan, as your king?”
“Oh. Oh, shit. Sorry…” She throws her chin up, blinking back tears. “I’m just… You said free, and after everything, I finally feel it with Jace and—” She sniffs.
“Here.” Ruby jumps up from her throne, handing Vivian a tissue.
It’s initiation night. They’re everywhere in the room.
“Thank you.” Vivian takes it, dabbing her eyes, before sweetly gushing at me, “Sorry, my king. I’m just fighting a happy sob.”
“Me too, darlin’,” Zar drawls from his queen’s throne. “Me too.”
I grin. “Can we take that as a yes?”
“Yes.” She smiles, regaining her composure, but I don’t mind. I love my emotional match. “Yes, Jace Ryan, I accept you as my king.” She leans into me, whispering softly, “And my picture of love.”
I meet her halfway, pressing my forehead to hers. “It’sourpicture, baby.Ourlove forever.”
