Hundred and fifteen

Hundred and fifteen
HAZEL STYLES POV

I stared into the mirror, awed by the girl staring right back at me. Lena leaned over my shoulder, her gorgeous face shining as her lips stretched in a sweet smile.

"You look ethereal Hazel. I keep saying it, but Riven is totally going to be speechless when he sees you."

I grinned, letting out a nervous breath. "He better be!" I said then met her gaze. "You also look really beautiful, Lena"

She did a little twirl, then laughed. "I know girl!"

"Like, look at all those curves—"

A knock on the door interrupted me and we both glanced at it.

"I'll go check," Lena offered, walked to the door, and pulled it open just enough to stick her head out. "Mr Blackwood," she gasped out and my eyes widened.

I could hear him asking to talk to me alone. Lena glanced at me and I nodded.

She stepped out as Mr Blackwood walked in, then gently closed the door behind her, leaving both of us alone.

"Mr Blackwood?"

He took off his cap. "Don't be so formal, Hazel, after all, we are becoming family today," he said, and I forced a smile and nodded.

"You're right, but I'm already used to calling you that..." I trailed off, then we stayed in awkward silence for a few seconds. "You said you wanted to talk to me"?

"Yes," he replied, His face becoming grave. "I came to apologize".

I stared at him, my eyes flaring a bit.

Was I hallucinating?

Blackwood had a reputation, and everyone knew he never apologized.

He cleared his throat. "I haven't been very good to you. All this time, I've viewed you as the enemy because of what your family did to mine in the past, and for that, I apologize."

"Uhh..." I hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

"I will also apologize for what Ethan did to you. In a way it is my fault he turned out that way."

"You don't have to—"

He cut me off. "I have to. You didn't press charges against him even when you had enough evidence to put him away for good. It was a very great sacrifice after all the suffering you had to endure at his hands. I want to say thank you."

I nodded and he let out a heavy sigh.

"I hope you won't hold any grudges, Hazel. Riven loves you so much that he'll wipe out his whole family if you so much as hint that we made you uncomfortable..."

"I'll never do that, "I got out quickly.

"I know. I know. Unlike us, you don't take pleasure in making people pay for their sins," he said, then took hold of my hand. "Don't worry, I already arranged for more gold bars to be delivered to your house, and as for Ethan, I'll make sure he never crosses your path ever again, and from now on, I am going to do all it takes to change your impression about the Blackwood family."

I smiled. "Thank you, Mr Blackwood. I appreciate you coming here and reassuring me like this."

He heaved a sigh of relief. "I am glad we had this talk. I'll leave you to get ready then," he said, patted my hand, and put on his cap. He walked to the door, hesitated for a second then turned to face me. "I just want to say you look absolutely stunning. Riven is a very lucky man."

I beamed. "Thank you, Sir Blackwood," I said, meaning it.

He smiled and walked out of the room.

I let out a sigh, then cupped my cheek as I faced the mirror.

"This is already a good sign. Today is going to be amazing".



The door to the wedding hall opened, and I took the first step inside, the sweet melody in the air making goosebumps trail my skin.

I clutched at my bouquet, my eyes taking in the splendor that spawned before me.

Riven had told me to leave the hall to him, that he was planning a surprise, but I didn't expect something so beautiful and perfect.

Art pieces of me- that he'd drawn and painted- were projected all over the wall, and the beautiful chandeliers above cast a warm glow on it, making it sparkle, the whole space acquiring almost an ethereal feel to it, especially paired with all the pretty flowers that flanked both sides of the aisle.

I could feel the eyes of all the guest on me, and it would have been daunting, but the smiles on their faces radiating pure joy had my anxiety fading away.

Eloise's hold tightened on my arm, and I glanced at her, the bright smile in her eyes making my heart swell with joy.

"Don't look so nervous, my dear. You are the most beautiful bride I've had the privilege of walking down the aisle," she whispered, and I grinned, her words boosting my confidence. "Shall we?" she asked and I nodded.

We walked forward, my gaze locking on the man who stood waiting for me at the front of the altar, my heartbeat picking up the closer I got.

It was like I was walking on water, but there was no fear because I knew he'd never let me drown.

Riven's gaze was fixed fervently on me, almost in worship.

Everyone in the room disappeared until it was just us.

An exciting storm brewed in his eyes, and the closer I got, the more vivid it became.

I could tell he was holding his breath, his throat moving as he waited.

The pressure on my arm from where Eloise held lessened. I knew she'd let me go, but I could only see Riven.

He took a sharp inhale as I stopped in front of him, a single tear rolling down his cheek as he offered his hand.

My gaze dropped to his hand, a smile spreading on my lips as I placed mine in his. His fingers closed around it, his hold warm and comforting.

My gaze slowly moved to his, my heart pounding so hard, I feared I was going to pass out.

He was smiling down at me, more tears spilling down his cheek.

I reached up, wiping the tear from his face, and he clasped my wrist, his eyes intense.

"You're so beautiful, Hazel," he whispered, his voice cracking as more tears brimmed in his eyes. "For a second there, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven"

My heart ached, the happiness I felt suffocating. "Really?"

He nodded, tears glistening on his skin. "You look like an angel, Hazel. A shining, beautiful angel."

My smile stretched, the overwhelming fullness in my chest making it difficult to breathe and then I leaned in, unable to resist the urge to kiss him.

Someone cleared their throat, and almost as if in tune, we both glanced in the direction of the sound, blinking as we realized that we were not quite as alone as we thought.

The priest smiled. "Shall we proceed?"

My face flamed, and the sound of the happy laughter and chuckling from our loved ones and guests made my neck heat up.

With Riven guiding me, I took my place in front of him, our gaze never wavering.

I could hear the priest talking, bits and pieces of what he was saying about marriage and how spiritual and transcendent it was registering in my head.

The person I was focused on was Riven and what his eyes were telling me.

The priest was right. This transcended the physical.

I could feel our souls connecting, the cackle of electricity burning bright between us, bringing us ever closer.

We read our vows, the sound of Riven's voice as he laid down his life at my feet hypnotic. He was giving me his all, and as I accepted it, I gave all of me in return.

The priest blessed us, his voice filling up the hall as he pronounced us man and wife.

Just like me, Riven couldn't wait and before the priest even finished his speech, his lips were locked on mine, stealing the breath right out of my lungs and completing me in every way.

I could hear cheers and applause, but even that soon faded as I kissed him back, his touch on my body as our mouths moved in perfect sync, fixing every broken part of me.

This was everything I wanted and more.

Our breath mingled, my heart pounding as he pulled me even closer, every swipe of his tongue against mine almost like worship.

We were both out of breath when we stopped. Riven pressed his head to mine, his eyes shining. "I am yours now, Hazel," he whispered, our hands intertwining.

"Yes. All mine, just like I am yours" I grinned.

His hands squeezed mine and then we turned to face the cheering crowd.

The flower cannon went off, bathing us in beautiful flower petals as we walked down the aisle.

It was magical. Almost as if I was in a fairytale.

We got out of the hall, more flowers flying in the air.

"Congratulations, my friend," Lena grinned, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. "I am so happy for you."

"Thank you, Lena," I said, then met Raphael's gaze where he stood behind her. "Thank you for being here Raphael."

"I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world, Hazel," he said, smiling. I faced Eloise and before I could get a word out, she pulled me in for a quick hug and then let go.

"I'm so happy for you, my child," she choked out, her eyes red from crying.

"Thank you, Mom. I love you so much," I said, and she nodded, hugging me again, then she faced Riven.

"Treat her well, okay? I want her to always be happy just like she is right now."

"I will Miss Eloise. Thank you so much for being here," Riven said, then, without warning, scooped me up in his arms.

I squealed, my arms wrapping around his neck.

"How about we get out of here, huh?" he grinned mischievously, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

I grinned right back. "Yes! Let's go!"

THE END