Killian didn’t respond. In fact, he barely even acknowledged my father’s words.
“Start,” he barked at the priest.
My muscles twitched at the harshness in his voice and I almost flinched. My nails dug into my palm and the pain soothed me.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony,” the priest began and I barely paid attention to what he was saying.
Blood rushed through my veins and I swayed, as the numbness slowly took over. I could hear the pounding of my heart echoing in my ears.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
It was so loud, I wondered if Killian could hear it. My legs trembled, feeling weaker than ever. I worried they’d give up under me and I’d end up taking my vows on my knees.
When it was time for us to speak our vows, the priest gestured for us to hold hands. Killian grasped mine in his, shocking me – he was willingly touching me. I knew it was for the audience and the cameras flashing behind us but my skin tingled, even though his touch was barely a graze.
“Killian Spencer, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her–”
“I would like to repeat my vows in her ears, solely for my wife,” Killian interrupted.
The priest smiled. “Of course. Vows are meant to be intimate and there’s nothing more special than whispering your love in your beloved ears.”
My body went cold, my heart jumping to my throat until I almost gagged. If I knew Killian as much as I did…
My lungs clenched.
Killian shifted closer; his head lowered so that his lips were closer to my ear.
The pressure on my chest grew unbearable. His breath feathered across my veil and the hair on my bare arms stood at attention.
The priest started the vows again, but his words were drowned out as my heart echoed while Killian’s voice rasped in my ear. His own cruel version of our marriage vows.
“Killian Spencer, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony–”
“I vow to spend the rest of my life making you regret what you did to Gracelynn.”
“… To love her, to honor her, to comfort her, to cherish her…”
“To hurt you, to break you… and to hate you for the rest of our days. I will never be your protector, never your defender; I vow to be the villain in your story.”
“… And to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
“In health and in sickness, through sorrow and pain, for all the days in my life, I will be your worst nightmare.”
With my beating heart bleeding at our feet, Killian pulled back then straightened to his full height. He towered over me, while his dark eyes grew darker and the corner of his lips pulled up in a vicious smile.
“I do,” he said, his voice strong, but lacking any warmth.
The priest turned to me. “Julianna Romano, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”
I met his gaze without flinching. I had no need to change our vows because while Killian was marrying me for vengeance, I was marrying him for a whole different reason.
This was my way of seeking… salvation.
“I do,” I repeated Killian’s earlier words.
“… Till death do us part.”
My eyes closed. “Till death do us part.”
It barely even registered to me that we were already exchanging our rings; my thoughts were scattered as the cold reality of this situation finally sank into my veins.
“…I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
His jaw tightened and I swore, the look in his eyes was deadly. I watched in horror as Killian took a step back.
The silence that followed laid on my skin like poison, sinking under my flesh and paralyzing me as Killian walked away.
Leaving me at the altar.
I watched until he was completely gone, until even his shadow disappeared.
There were no whispers. No cameras flashing.
Nothing but silence.
The priest made a strangling sound in the back of his throat. My father looked absolutely murderous while William gave me a bitter smile.
He came forward and grasped my hand, bringing it up so he could kiss the back of it. “Welcome to the family, Julianna. I’ve always wanted a daughter,” he said smoothly, as if his son didn’t just leave me – his new bride – at the altar.
He turned us toward where everyone was seated. The small audience – only around twenty guests – cleared their throats and gave me tentative smiles.
“I present to you, my daughter-in-law, Julianna Spencer.”