Chapter 20
The grand ballroom of the estate had been transformed into an absolute botanical wonderland,
with thousands of white roses and green vines cascading from the crystal chandeliers,
and the scent of blooming jasmine filling the cool,
air-conditioned air.
Mave stood in the bridal suite,
looking at her reflection in the full-length antique mirror,
and she barely recognized the stunning and regal woman staring back at her.
The heavy ivory crepe silk of her dress draped flawlessly over her figure,
and her dark hair was styled in soft,
romantic waves that framed her glowing face perfectly.
June stood behind her,
wearing a beautiful emerald-green bridesmaid gown that matched the gardens outside,
and she carefully secured a delicate,
sparkling hair comb into Mave's elegant updo.
Mrs. Pruitt wiped tears from her eyes with a lace handkerchief,
fussing over the long,
sweeping train of the dress,
and declaring that she had never seen a more beautiful bride in her entire life.
The soft strains of a string quartet began to drift upstairs,
signaling that the guests had taken their seats,
and that it was finally time for the ceremony to begin.
Mave took a deep,
steadying breath,
feeling a sudden flutter of nervous butterflies in her stomach,
but her heart was pounding with absolute and unwavering certainty.
She walked down the sweeping mahogany staircase,
her heels clicking softly against the polished wood,
and she paused at the entrance to the grand ballroom.
She did not have a father to walk her down the aisle,
and she had fiercely refused to let anyone else take on the traditional role,
choosing instead to walk the path completely on her own,
just as she had done for her entire life.
The heavy oak doors swung open,
and the string quartet transitioned into a slow,
hauntingly beautiful melody,
and the entire room stood up as Mave made her entrance.
She did not look at the wealthy politicians,
or the powerful business leaders gathered in the room,
her eyes locked instantly and entirely on the man waiting for her at the end of the aisle.
Landon stood beneath an archway of white roses,
wearing a sharply tailored,
classic black tuxedo,
and his dark eyes were shining with an emotion so intense it was almost palpable.
He looked at her as if she was the only person existing in the entire universe,
his chest rising and falling heavily,
and he did not even try to hide the single tear that escaped and rolled down his cheek.
Mave walked toward him with a slow and confident grace,
the silk train of her dress gliding smoothly over the marble floor,
and she felt a profound sense of absolute belonging.
When she finally reached the altar,
Landon stepped forward and took both of her hands in his,
his grip warm,
strong,
and incredibly steady.
He leaned down,
ignoring the officiant and the entire crowd of guests,
and he whispered that she was his absolute salvation,
his voice rough and vibrating with pure devotion.
Mave smiled,
her heart swelling until she thought it might actually burst from the sheer joy of it,
and she whispered back that he was her absolute freedom.
The ceremony began,
May you like
and the world outside the estate ceased to exist entirely,
leaving only the two of them standing in the brilliant and perfect light.
