I woke up alone. I didn’t feel particularly strongly about that. No, loneliness was not on my list of emotions. The cold, gnawing dread was taking up most of my emotional bandwidth. It was so pervasive it took me a minute to realize I hadn’t woken up on my own, I’d been helped along by a knock on my door. Or rather, Benny’s door, Celine and Callie had switched rooms so we’d all have somewhere to stay.

“Hey man, you awake?” Asked my best friend as he came into the room with a cup of hot cocoa and a plate full of food. “I figured you could use some food.

I grunted, sitting up, and gave him a grateful nod as I took the meal. I forced myself to chew, despite my stomach being a rioting mess and the bacon tasting like ash.

Like I’d told Zeke. I didn’t have cold feet. I couldn’t wait to marry Callie. No, the problem was that I was terrified SHE would rethink marrying ME. This girl was way too good for me. She was smart and beautiful and perfect and I was a lazy battle junkie with daddy issues.

Benny raised a brow at me. “You certainly seem to have your head on straight. Steady as a rock. I’m surprised, you usually freak out when you’re doing something big. I guess you’ve grown up a lot.”

“What are you, fucking insane?” I snapped at him. “I’m about to puke. My heart is hammering like an automatic rifle and palms are sweating for some weird reason. How am I supposed to regulate that? What if it happens during the ceremony? What if the ring slips off and she leans down to get it and I accidentally knee her in the face and her nose breaks and she leaves me forever-”

He covered my mouth with his hand, looking appalled. “Shit man, you buried that crazy in a shallow grave. My mistake. Luckily, I come bearing more gifts than just food.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper, and handed it to me.

Taking it, I opened the note to find a short, succinct message. ‘I love you, idiot. Calm down.’ I laughed, folding it up and putting it in the pocket of my pajama pants.

“I can’t believe I took the under.” He said with a disgusted sigh. “Almost two years at this and you only managed a decent poker face. Bastard. Seems like that helped though. Let’s try this again. Pushing down any insane panic spirals about elaborate farcical comedies of errors ruining your wedding, how are you feeling, you absolute moron?”

I patted my pocket, closing my eyes as I pictured the note again, and laughed quietly. “Sorry.” I said as I opened them. “I’m good. She does know me well. Did you see her? Did she seem ok?” I reached for my bond, getting a pulse of adoration and excitement, which I returned in force, but nothing specific.

“I didn’t.” He said. “Celine brought me that. I love how your wedding means my girlfriend doesn’t sleep in our room. If I’d know being best man meant having to bunk with your big ugly ass, I’d have let Zeke do it.”

I gave him a sympathetic look. “Jealousy is such a petty emotion.” I said kindly. “But don’t worry, we’re only nineteen. I’m sure you’ll grow into your face someday. Until then, try to control your envy at my refined and glorious features.” I framed my chin with a finger and a thumb like a check mark and grinned cheesily.

“No wonder you managed to form a Path so early.” He said pityingly. “You’ve completely lost touch with reality.”

Shrugging, I winked at him. “Maybe it’s the air up here. It gets thin at this altitude. You wouldn’t know about that though, would you?” I never let him forget my current one inch height advantage after Callie traded me an inch for a wish.

“I’ll let that pass because it’s your wedding.” He said with narrowed eyes. “But starting tomorrow you better watch your ass.”

We both laughed, and I pulled him into a hug. Benny always knew when I needed to banter and let off steam. “How about you?” I asked when I let go. “You ready? Got the ring?” I’d handed it to him last night, and if he’d lost it I was going to hyperventilate.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“I’m not an idiot.” He said with an exasperated sigh. He patted his pocket. “It’s right here.” He froze. “Wait, where did it go?” He patted his pockets frantically. “Shit, I swear I just had it…You’re not buying this at all are you?” His panicked expression gave way to a toothy grin. “I thought you might be nervous enough to believe me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Luckily I know you well enough to expect your poorly timed and amateurishly executed attempts at humor. You should talk to Serah. I’m told she’s the funniest angel in her whole tower.”

He burst out laughing. “She does crack me up sometimes. But it’s a bit hit or miss. She pulls off most of her jokes because of the deadpan delivery, and I just don’t have it.”

“I shudder to think what she’s teaching Bethy.” I said with a terrified expression.

“Speaking of, she seemed awfully excited to be a bridesmaid. It was sweet of Callie to ask her. Maria really appreciated it too.”

I smiled fondly. “Yeah, she’s sweet like that. Though speaking of Maria, what’s up with her and Jessie. They break up or something? They haven’t really seemed to be interacting much, I was expecting them to hang out once we got back.”

“They were never really together.” He shrugged. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder sometimes, and sometimes it just puts distance. They decided to just be friends. Jessie was telling me about it the other day. They’re just doing different things with their lives. Not everyone has a fairytale romance with their first girlfriend.”

I shot him a withering look. “Dude. You’re dating an ACTUAL elf princess.”

“She’s not a princess.” He said quickly. “But fair point. Anyway, they’re still friends, just not pursuing anything romantic, so it won’t be awkward.”

“Up to them.” I shrugged. “I kind of get it. Long distance is hard enough for established couples. Trying to start something that way would be rough.” I stood up, grabbing the bag with my suit in it and stepping into the bathroom to change. “Man, I thought being so sure of this would mean I wouldn’t be as freaked, but if anything being so committed to the idea is making the pressure heavier.”

I finished changing and stepped out, cracking my neck and spreading my arms wide. “So, how do I look?”

He shrugged. “Maybe half as good as I do. Which is still ten times better than usual.”

“Remind me to replace your mirrors.” I said with a mock sneer. “Apparently they’re all the funhouse kind that Cicero uses at the circus.”

He gave me a knowing smile. “You know we’re going to have to quit stalling eventually.” He said in a surprisingly kind tone. “There’s nothing to be scared of. She’s crazy about you, and it’s not like this will really change anything. You’re basically newlyweds anyway, you’re so into each other it’s sickening.”

I laughed, pulling him into another hug. “Thanks man. You’re right. Let’s go.”

We slipped out of the room, taking a specific hallways so we didn’t run into Callie and climbed into a shuttle. The ride to the venue was shockingly quick, and when I arrived, the usher led me to the gazebo where I would be waiting.

We were early, by a substantial degree. Most of the seats were empty, but my mom and Amelia were already there. “Shane!” Callie’s mom said happily. “You look so handsome!” She stepped up to adjust my tux, then adjusted it back a second later before nodding in confirmation. “Are you ready?”

“A little shaky.” I admitted. “I’m worried she won’t show up. I mean, I know she will but what if she doesn’t, what if she dec-” Benny’s hand covered my mouth again.

“Let’s not get him started.” He said with a laugh. “He’s fine, and he’ll be more fine when she gets here. Is everything ready?” He turned to my mom, who was standing off to the side in an orange silk dress, beaming proudly at me.

She brushed the question off with a snort. “Obviously. “I’m not half assing my baby’s wedding. Our seating is all lined up, bridal party and groomsmen are aware of their places, caterer has already delivered the food, flowers are out, gift bags are ready, cake is here, photographer is standing by, the wolves are dressed in little outfits, and we nixed the doves because we were pretty sure they would get eaten.”

“Where’s the ring?” Asked Jessie as she arrived. “I want to give it to Randall before the ceremony, we have his pillow all set up.”

Benny fished in his pocket. “I got it. Best man holds the ring until the ring bearer gets it. Or ring bear, I guess.” He shot me a reproachful look. “Was the bad pun really necessary. You could have had Callie’s half brother do it.”

“Randall is adorable.” I said in a dignified voice. “Plus Eric is too young. That ring is worth more than this entire star cluster. Cass is our flower girl though.”

Jessie beamed. “I picked out the cutest petals for her to use. They burst into flames when they touch the ground. But like…not hot flames. Orange ghost fire. It’s going to be very tasteful, and not arsonisty at all.”

“That’s good to hear.” I said dryly. “Callie was very clear about how much fire the wedding was allowed to be on. Which is none. She’s against it.”

“I know.” Said Mel as she stepped into the gazebo, Abel following behind her. “I tried to convince her to let me do a fire dance, but she said it’s too dangerous. Something about G-rankers being so flammable I might ignite them from a distance by accident. So insulting. Security is standing by.” She told my mom. “The last sweep came up clean.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you two were helping out with that? I appreciate the assist. And thanks again for the manpower mom.”

“Of course sweetie.” She said happily, fixing my jacket exactly the same way Amelia had and actually messing it up worse. Her hands came up to grip my face. Or mask at least. “Look at you. I wish you’re take this thing off for the ceremony. I’m surprised Calliope didn’t insist.”

I shrugged. “She knows it's a safety issue. Plus I think it looks good. It’s my brand.”

We talked for the next hour or so, double checking everything as guests began to trickle in. It was crazy seeing the mix of old friends and new, seeing powerful E-rankers we’d grown up hearing about next to people we were friends with and had fought with side by side. The whole wedding had a surreal vibe to it, without even touching on how crazy it was that I was marrying the woman of my dreams.

Eventually, Amelia, Chelsea, Mel, and my mom stepped over to where Callie’s bridesmaids were waiting, and Abel joined Zeke, Gabe, Ian, and several other friends with the groomsmen. Benny stayed by me waiting at the end of the aisle.

After everyone was seated, the band started up the music, and my heart thundered in my chest as another shuttle, this one sleek and understated, landed at the end of the aisle. My eyes were locked on the exit, and I couldn’t stop myself from swallowing as a figure emerged. Calliope Reynolds, the woman who was going to be my wife, started her walk down the aisle, and I’d never been so transfixed by any sight in my entire life.