And then Randall asked his question, and I swore all the world held its breath.
“Should anyone here present know of any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The room was completely silent.
I felt a sad sort of relief as I looked down at my feet.
Well, until Randall spoke again. “Anyone at all?”
Silence.
“Does anyone in this room have any reason that they shouldn’t marry?”
Silence.
“Nobody. Nobody here has any objection to this union?”
Oh my fucking gods, I was going to murder Randall when this was over.
“Not a single person has any—?”
“I object! Holy mothercrackers, do I object!”
The voice rang out, echoing around the throne room.
The audience gasped.
Gary choked.
Tiggy growled.
Morgan sighed.
I snapped my head up.
“Say again?” Randall asked.
“I object,” Knight Commander Ryan Foxheart repeated, looking straight at me.
“And why do you object?” the King asked gently.
“Because,” Ryan said, eyes darting to the King. He swallowed thickly. “I don’t love Justin. My heart belongs to another.”
The audience gasped again.
“Oh my gods,” Gary snapped at them. “Stop doing that. It’s not like that’s a surprise or anything. This is already dramatic enough as it is given that we’re at a wedding. Stop adding to it.”
“I’m sorry,” Ryan said, looking at Justin again. I couldn’t see the Prince’s face, but I could see his hands curled into fists at his sides. “I never wanted it to come to this. I let it go too far. And it’s my fault. I should have put a stop to this long ago. Justin, we can’t go through with this. It’s not fair. To either of us.”
“Fair,” Justin repeated. “Fair.”
I think I was going into shock. I leaned over and whispered to Gary, “Um. What’s going on?”
Gary looked amused. “I’m pretty sure Ryan just called off the wedding because he wants to sit on your smile.”
“Whoa,” I breathed. “I am so into that.”
“You made an oath,” Justin said through gritted teeth. “You swore your fealty to me.”