“Such a romantic,” I say to him.
He rolls his eyes with a bit of a laugh. “Nah, I just know what they’ll need to hear to believe this plan.”
Maybe Simon should be the one to marry Allison. No, what the fuck am I thinking? It can only be me. Because she’s just too tempting to leave in the hands of another man. I’m still not sure how I’ll resist her, but I have to keep reminding myself I can’t tarnish her, or she’ll lose her powers.
And nobody wants that.
“I always feel like an imposter in one of these suits,” I say to my tailor, Franz, who is working on my tuxedo jacket, making sure it fits like a glove.
“She’s a very lucky lady.” Franz doesn’t know this is a sham of a wedding. No one outside of our immediate circle does, and I plan to keep it that way.
“No, I’m the lucky one,” I say like someone who is about to get married.
Franz is satisfied with the statement and continues making tweaks to the black Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo. I’d be happier in something less formal, but this wedding has to look authentic. And it will.
I left it up to my sister and Stefania to handle the preparations for the big event. It’s been a few days since we’ve announced the upcoming nuptials, and they’ve already sent out invitations to half the vampire community.
Bogdan has already RSVP’d, and Lina has planned doves, flowers, menus, and the million other things involved with nuptials. It’s becoming a full-fledged thing, and it reminds me of why I never wanted to have a real wedding.
So much work for one simple day to pledge your love to another.
When I was younger, marriages between two people actually meant something. Nowadays, with the divorce rates running rampant, I wonder why people get married at all.
“I’m almost done here,” Franz tells me, stepping away.
“Thank you. The jacket fits like a charm.”
“You look dashing,” my sister says, entering my chambers. She signals Franz to leave us alone. Once he gathers his things and exits the room, she steps closer. “You’re about to have one hell of a show to perform.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I just worry they’ll just know something isn’t quite right when they meet her.”
“Nah, it’ll be fine, Lina. Trust your younger brother.”
She crosses her arms over her purple-velvet dress. “I do, but I’m just worried.”
“It’ll be fine. Either way, we’ll be on the lookout in case they want to try something,” I say, agreeing that we need to be on high alert.
Lina chews the corner of her lip, silent.
“What? I can tell you’re holding something back.”
“Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“What do you mean?” It’s not like my sister to question me.
“It’s marriage. You can’t rush off and do whatever you please now. You’ll have to be aware that your decisions affect another human being.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Draven, we can’t screw this up. We need to make sure this plan goes off without a hitch. It’s a lot for one person to handle.”
I smile. “I’m no ordinary person.”
Her eyes twinkle. “I know this. But I’m worried, nonetheless. Should we let Simon marry her?”
The thought of Allison married to another man causes a tornado of anger to blow through me, destroying my calm exterior. “No,” I snap. “She won’t marry anyone but me.”