Chapter Sixty

"Groom, will you have Hera Garcia to be your wife, to live with her, respect her, and love her as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?"

The words echoed in the church, sounding louder in my ears than the ringing of the church bells. Aziel’s head turned towards me, fierce green eyes staring deeply into my brown ones. I stared back just as fiercely, squeezing his hand so tight I almost snapped his fingers.

Was he going to break the silence?

He better not think of bailing on me.

Turning away from the crowd to look at the priest standing behind us, Aziel nodded once. “Yes.”

A wave of relief suddenly washed through me.

“Bride, will you have Aziel Walker to be your husband, to live with him, respect him, and love him as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?”

I glanced up at Aziel, nervously nibbling on the inside of my lower lip.

Squeezing his hand