Chapter 34 Welcome. .
Dahlia.
The ring worth billions of dollars glistened on my finger, and my new husband, Dalton Riggs stood next to me, stars shining in his eyes as he looked at me, like a person who had just found his lost treasure, and warmth, so foreign, coursed through me as I stared right back at him..
" You look very beautiful, Dahlia!" He whispered, and to his rich voice, my legs weakened, and I threw myself into his arms, biting on my bottom lip to stop my tears from falling.
Honestly, everything that was happening, it felt like a dream, straight curved from a world of fantasy, and yet, it was real. His arms around my waist were warm and real, and in his arms, I felt safe, secure.
I felt like I could finally relax, as if I could finally be myself, like a huge load had been lifted off my shoulders.
So, that's what true love felt like? freedom? a breathing space? So, all those years, I had been trapped in a nightmare, and I had mistaken it for love? And it was not until after Jason betrayed me that I finally got to experience what love felt like? And the joy of marrying the man that you actually love?
At that moment, I sincerely wanted to thank Jason. If he hadn't betrayed me, how would I have met Dalton, the man who, even when I hadn't known him long enough, had my nerves relaxing and my heart beating with notes unfamiliar and yet, heartwarming?
"I am your wife now, Dalton Riggs. " I didn't know what prompted me, but I found myself declaring, a rare possessiveness clinging to my voice.
To that, he chuckled, a deep and amusement-coated sound, and looking at his lips, I had an urge to capture them in a kiss.
Cheers tore through the air, loud and genuine, and we were forced to face the audience instead
They were all there, Freya, her face was red with what looked like happiness. She had tears streaming down her face, as she looked at me, her makeup properly ruined, and you would have mistaken her for the emotional bride, instead.
Then there was my Mom.. The ever-composed Amy Banks looked so different. Streaks of tears painted her face, too. She looked happy, genuinely happy, and it glazed at some strings in my heart.
I had never seen her that happy before. When our eyes locked, she flashed me a sweet smile, not those tough professional smiles she'd been serving for years.
The wedding didn't have many familiar faces, and yet, it didn't feel any less warm. If anything, it was far better than I had expected.
And standing next to my Mom was Uncle Sebastian. A thin smile stretched at the corners of his lips as he looked at me, and I dare say, he looked like a proud dad. And, surprisingly, the void that was supposed to be left by Brooks' absence, the man who should have been standing where Uncle Sebastian was, wasn't there. Strangely, warmth and satisfaction coursed through my veins as I looked at the people in attendance.
And the smiles on their faces were what made the day even more special.
Then came the toasting. Clear champagne glasses were raised, smiles in place, congratulations in order,
'Cheers to love!'
' Cheers to the union!' Their warm messages filtered through the air, and Freya's voice was surely the loudest.
Dalton took two glasses from the waiter and handed one to me.
" Cheers to us, to a forever!" He whispered, raising his glass to his lips, and I echoed the words, the corners of my eyes stinging.
Cameras flashed. The music took a more romantic note, and it was time for the first dance.
Dalton's hand interlocked with mine, while the other one went to my slender waist.
I placed my other hand over his right shoulder, inched closer, as I followed his moves, swaying gracefully to the music, a gentle smile playing on my lips.
The rest of the guests paired up, the evening sea wind fanned gently through us, and the soft interludes floated warmly above us, tangling with the gentle waves, and in that moment, the world seemed to fade around us.
It was just me, my husband's hand around my waist, his eyes that never left mine, and the rhythmic beating of my heart, which seemed to effortlessly match his.
I could already see the future, bright, better, with Dalton by my side, and....
" Bhang!"
The warm atmosphere was interrupted by two loud bangs.
Then loud shrieks followed as the couples tore apart, as fear crept in, and so was panic.
Next to me, I felt Dalton stiffen in place, his sharp eyes scanning the venue as he pulled me closer.
Just as we were about to relax, another Bhang shot through the air, and this time, it sounded nearer, closer.
The smell of gunpowder permeated through the air, mingling intimately with that of fear.
Something seemed off, though.
The marriage involved two powerful families in the whole country. The Riggs and the Banks.
For an attack to take place in the wedding venue, interrupting the wedding, scaring the guests, how much guts did the attacker possess? Either that or....
Another gunshot, and I swear, it was aimed at me.
I felt it. The precision, the ruthlessness, it all had a cold shiver sliding down my spine. It had missed me by inches, and my ears were still hot from the force of the flying bullet.
My heartbeat went haywire as raw fear coursed through me.
What if it had hit me? What if it had hit Dalton?
No! I shook my head, as I searched the audience, looking for my mother.
She had Freya tucked in her arms, and Uncle Sebastian was next to her. Their faces were clouded by fury.
They were discreetly whispering to each other. Dalton pulled me deeper into his arms, with raw anger painting his face, and a storm was brewing in his eyes as he gave hushed orders through the earpiece.
" Shhhh," He hushed, as he gently rubbed my back, urging me to relax, and foreign calmness shot through me from his intentional touch.
But just before I could relax, another gunshot was fired.
Then the assailant appeared, holding a huge rifle, clothed in black from his toes all the way to his head.
All we could see was his dark and stormy eyes.
They were aimed at me.
His gun was aimed at me, too.
He was armed with a rifle, and courage that defied norms. He was alone, no dramatic armed men following behind him, and no shouting.
His gaze was already locked on the target, me.
Then a gun was fired, not by the man who was walking towards me, but by another, in the shadows. A deep and pained groan escaped from Dalton's clenched lips, and he automatically let go of me.
He was hurt, possibly, I couldn't see.
And I was on my own.
At that point, intervention from any other person was suicidal. With his powerful rifle, the assailant could leisurely take a shot at me without missing, even from where he stood.
Panick coursed through me, and I acted without thinking. I reached Dalton's waist and retrieved a gun..I had felt it earlier while we were dancing.
Before anyone could react, I fired two shots in succession. Silence followed, deep and unsettling.
Then, a loud thud as the assailant fell to the gravel. Blood splattered everywhere.
I froze in place, my body went numb, save for my erratically beating heart and my shaking hands which were holding the gun.
I had killed someone! Fuck! I had just killed a person,
" Impressive, "then an unfamiliar voice tore through the air, deep and amused.
" You are quick-witted, and, I like it."
" Welcome to the Riggs family, Princess Banks."