6.

‘What are we doing?’ Nia asked.

‘I have no idea.’

On one hand, I was extremely scared of what was happening, and on the other, I was extremely thankful to Chase for wanting to marry me. Still, my life felt like a scene from a badly rehearsed reality TV show. How did it all turn upside down so badly?

“I forbid you from marrying a branded!” The king thundered angrily. “You will not stain Father’s blood with an impure!”

“Since when do you care what I do with my life, brother?” Chase asked as he stood up, pulling me to his side and wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “And since when do I take command from you?”

“Chase…”

“I am a king like you are, need I remind you of that, Clinton?” The biting edge in his voice was chilling.

“I am still the eldest and…”

“You never took that role seriously all these years. And you want to now? I don't give a flying fuck if I am staining father’s bloodline or not. It is my life, and I do whatever the hell I want with it!” He snapped.

“Uncle…”

“Not a word from you, Asher. She's no more a concern of yours now.”

“If you allow me to say something, your Majesty. But Zara is not fit to be a …”

“I don't remember asking for your opinion now, do I?” Chase cuts Lina off. “You’d do well to remember the etiquette of speaking to a royal, woman.”

I watched as Lina’s face fell, then a look so familiar crossed her face before her fake smile returned. Okay. Okay, listen, this shouldn't be fun, nor exciting. Yet it was, and it helped wash away a bit of the ache in my chest. It was the first time someone had stood by me so fiercely, and the feeling was warm and foreign at the same time.

“Shall we proceed or do I need to find a new offiante?” Chase’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Asher, Lina, Chase, and I both stood in front of the elder who would be officiating the ceremony. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I had no idea what would happen next.

‘Phew, what’s going on?’ Nia asked.

The elder turned to Lina and Asher.

“Do you, Asher Clinton Zapata, take Lina Emmett Dawson to be your lawfully wedded wife, to cherish and honor, to protect and defend, for as long as you both shall live?”

I watched Asher glance at Lina with admiration in his eyes, something I’d never noticed. Was I completely blinded that I didn’t see what was happening between them?

“I do,” Asher said with a certainty that made all the years of us being together feel like nothing, and I fought back the tears that stung my eyelids.

‘That jerk.’ Nia cursed.

The elder turned to Chase and me.

“Do you, Chase Zapata Brown, take Zara Emmett Dawson to be your lawfully wedded wife, to cherish and honor, to protect and defend, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Chase responded, his voice confident.

What if I don’t sound as confident? Of course, I won’t be as confident; I barely even know what’s going on.

“And do you, Lina Emmett Dawson, take Asher Zapata Brown to be your lawfully wedded husband, to stand by his side through all trials and tribulations, to share in his joys and sorrows, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Lina responded with a squeal, and I tried my best not to roll my eyes.

The elder was looking at me now. It all boils down to me and my decision, and I was scared shitless.

“Do you, Zara Emmett Dawson, take Chase Zapata Brown to be your lawfully wedded husband, to stand by his side through all trials and tribulations, to share in his joys and sorrows, for as long as you both shall live?”

I glanced at Chase, who stood beside me, his shoulders high in the air and his confidence almost suffocating. His gaze was filled with a determination that made me even more confident in my choice.

“I do!” I said.

“And with the ancient rites passed down through generations of our noble lineage,” the elder continued. “With the power vested in me by the kingdom of Zakori and King Clinton Zapata Brown, I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Lina squealed again as Asher slipped my ring on her finger, breaking my heart the final time. I’d endured all the show today mainly because I genuinely thought I was getting pranked, but now, reality stared right back at me.