The Jealous Groom by Alexa Riley

Chapter 7

Allison

Ifreeze when I see all the people staring at us. Magnus wraps his arm around me and guides me so I keep walking forward.

“What if they don’t like me? Or what if they don’t want you to marry me?” I ask, starting to panic. There are so many freaking people here, and suddenly the magnitude of all of this is hitting me.

“They’ll love you, not that it matters. I’d step down before I ever let you go.” His words take the air right out of my lungs. He’d give all this up for me?

“My bride Allison is here,” he announces, and everyone cheers.

I knew he was royalty, but actually seeing it is a whole new level. Especially with the giant castle right in front of me. It’s breathtaking and crazy to think I’ve been running from this.

Magnus turns to me, and there’s so much pride in his eyes. “Are you ready, love?”

“Ready for what?” I whisper. I’m not good with crowds, and Amber is way better at being on stage than me. I can feel everyone looking at us and probably wondering why Magnus has chosen me. To be honest, I’m kind of wondering the same thing myself.

“To get married,” he says brightly as the people step back to make a path and we walk through the crowd.

“Right now?” I say a little too loudly as people bow their heads and smile. They’re all so happy and look as if they’re really excited for us.

“Yes.” He smirks at me. “Remember, you tried to marry me on the plane.”

I was in a lust-filled haze and he shocked the hell out of me with the whole never had sex before thing. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that.

“Don’t you think this is fast? We should get to know each other first.”

He stops walking and turns to face me. His hand comes to my chin, making me look up at him.

“Do not be scared, love. I vow to give you all the things you long for. This isn't a game or about the thrill of the chase. You’re destined to be mine.”

My insides flutter, and I so badly want everything he’s saying to be true. “Okay,” I agree.

A smile spreads across his face, making him look even sexier. I have to admit it’s kind of mind-blowing and sweet the lengths he’s gone to in order to get his hands on me. No matter where I went, he was always right behind me, and he fought to have me by his side. No one has ever done that before, so why would I run from it?

When he takes my hand in his, he walks us towards the giant castle that looks like it’s been dropped out of a fairytale. All of this feels like that, actually, and maybe that’s why I thought it was too good to be true.

He holds me close as we take the steps up to the front of the castle. At the top, a wedding officiant is waiting for us, and Magnus helps me out of my coat. It’s then I realize he’d planned the white dress. The man is always three steps ahead.

“Shall I begin?” the woman asks.

“Quickly, please,” Magnus says, and she nods.

The vows are a little different than I’m used to, and Magnus takes a long moment to declare his devotion. There was also something about divorces being forbidden, and I wonder if he made these vows up himself. Something inside of me settles, though, because this means he plans to keep me.

I hold out my hand as Magnus slips a giant rock onto my finger. A big, beautiful ruby sits in the center, surrounded by diamonds, and I blink at how stunning it is. It looks like an antique that has been passed through generations. Will I pass it on to our daughter or son? The thought flicks through my mind, and I swallow the lump forming in my throat. What the heck is wrong with me? I don’t ever cry, but my connection to Magnus has me all over the place.

“Allison.” He hands me a gold band that’s meant for him, and I take it with shaky fingers.

It’s not from nerves, but from the realization that this is my happily ever after. I stare up at his dark gaze as I slip the ring onto his finger, and a look of satisfaction and relief shows on his face.

“You may kiss the bride,” the officiant says, and before I can reach for Magnus, he’s already there grabbing me and lifting me off my feet. As he claims my mouth, the crowd cheers, and it reminds me once again we have an audience. I’d gotten so lost in the wedding vows I’d forgotten about everything else.

He throws my legs over his arm, and two men in uniforms pull open the giant double doors ahead of us.

“We’re married,” I whisper to myself. Amber and I swore we’d never get married and that it would always be the two of us. We said we’d never leave each other, and I can’t help but wonder if I just betrayed her. My heart grows heavy with dread.

“Yes, we are.” I’ve never seen Magnus smile this much, including the night we met.

He carries me over the threshold, and ahead are two sets of stairs in the entryway. They part and come back together at the top inside the opulent castle. Magnus takes the stairs two at a time and turns left at the top.

“Where’s my sister?” I ask as guilt sets in. I rest my head on his chest and sigh.

“Likely getting married.”

“No, she’s not.” I shake my head. “She’s the tougher one. Nobody can make her do something she doesn't want to.”

Magnus lets out a deep chuckle, and I lift my head to glare at him.

“She’s getting married.” He lets go of me and I land in the middle of a plush bed. “You both say you don’t want to get married, but you truly do.”

“We made a pact and now I broke it! We promised we’d always stay together.” I get to my knees, wanting him to understand.

“Love, you’re not leaving each other. Don’t you see why this is so perfect? It’s even more evidence that this is fate.”

“What do you mean?” I’m trying to concentrate, but we’re married and now I’m in his bed.

“My brother and I rule together. We live on this side of the castle and they’ll live on the other.” I drop down onto my ass. His brows pull together, and he cups my face. “What is wrong?”

“It’s overwhelming. You picked me and then chased after me all over the globe. And then you said you would give all this up for me.” I lift my hand with the ring on it. “Is this a family ring?”

“It was my mother’s.”

Wow. I’m starting to think Magnus loves me. “You have history and a name. I’m a nobody from nowhere.”

His face softens. “Now you have my name, and we’ll make our own history with our children.”

With his simple words of devotion, my walls of protest come crumbling down. “I’m sorry I ran. I knew you were different, and it scared me.”

“As crazy as it drove me, I’m glad you did. I got to prove to you there is nothing I won’t do to have you, and I think you needed that.” I melt because he’s so right.

“It’s crazy how well you seem to know me already.” The man really doesn't miss a thing.

“It’s because you’re mine.”

I reach up, running my finger along his jaw.

“I want to be yours, Magnus. Will you make love to me now?”

“Are you in love?” he asks.

From the moment I met Magnus, he’s consumed my thoughts. He gave me something no one else ever has, and it’s helped me heal wounds I didn't know I still had.

“Yes, I love you, Magnus,” I admit, wanting him to know I’m all in.