Lucien’s POV

We both stood at the altar an awkward tension filled the room. Lynn cleared her throat clearly impatient. "Father can we get over the motions.." she urged him

The priest blinked then cleared his throat. "Pardon me. " he apologised and everyone settled. His gaze drifted to Lynn with a gentle smile.

" Miss Voss Braelyn do you take Mr Volkov Lucien to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love him, to stand by him, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" A beat passed Lynn glanced at me and an evil grin curled up her lips

My stomach dropped seeing the mischief in her eyes. She didn’t answer right away and made the moment draw. "Miss Voss Braelyn will you marry Mr Volkov Lucien?" A ripple of murmurs filled the room.

Lynn’s lips parted. "I don’t.." My ghost left my body and I almost fell as my face went ghostly pale gasps filled the room. A cold pressure radiated from me. She truly wanted me dead.

She laughed then grinned.."I don’t want to imagine a man without him. I do. I do want to marry him.." she said with a laugh and it felt like my body returned to earth

That wasn’t a funny joke at all. "Do you want me dead? That’s not funny. " I whispered to her. She grinned at me loving every moment of it

"The look on your face was priceless. It’s revenge for not keeping Amber in check. "My face paled. Damn, she was hot when she was out for blood. This was her revenge

It felt like I fell deeper for her at that moment. The priest was doing his best not to laugh. He stifled his laughter then cleared his throat once more to put on that dignified look.

His gaze shifted to me. " Mr Volkov Lucien, do you take Miss Voss Braelyn to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her, to stand by her, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" I didn’t waste a single heartbeat and said the two words that sealed our fates.

"I do," I said. Her lips curved upwards

The priest gestured for the rings. The ring bearer brought it and the hall seemed to shrink around us. Everything faded into the background until it was just her and me standing there.

I took the ring from the bearer, my fingers brushing against the small cushion. For a second, I just looked at it resting in my palm, then back at her. It was an elegant band made with a gold band with little diamonds with the centre stone being an emerald that suited her eyes.

Lynn stood in front of me, eyes fixed on mine. I let out a breath and spoke.

"Braelyn... my little Viper," I started, my voice was deliberately soft. "I never thought I would stand here like this with someone like you."

A small smile tugged at her lips, but her eyes softened. " I still remember the day you walked into my life when I did not even believe in love. I did not think I deserved it, and I sure as hell was not looking for it." I let out a faint huff. "But then I ran into you at that bar, and somehow everything changed when I saw that fire in your eyes you seemed broken inside but the fire remained."

My grip on the ring tightened slightly.

"You became my light without even trying. You gave me something I did not know I was missing. You made me want more than just surviving. You made me want a future."

Her lashes fluttered, and I could already see the shine in her eyes.

"I would have stayed in the dark if I had never met you. That is the truth. You saved me in ways I cannot even explain." I paused, my voice lowering. "And I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret choosing me."

I lifted her hand, holding it firmly.

"I promise to love you for as long as I exist. I promise to be true to you, no matter what comes our way. There is nothing in this world that will ever make me turn away from you."

I slid the ring onto her finger, my thumb brushing lightly against her skin as it settled into place.

"For eternity, Viper. You are mine, and I am yours."

Her fingers curled slightly as I let her hand go. The priest turned to her, and she took the other ring from the bearer. I watched her closely, something tightening in my chest again.

She drew in a breath before speaking. "Lucien..." Her voice wavered for a second, then steadied. "You found me when I was at my lowest. When I was lost and did not even know who I was anymore."

I felt my jaw tighten.

"You did not just love me. You taught me how to love again. You taught me how to trust, even when I did not want to. Even when I fought you, you forced your way into my heart." A faint smile touched her lips.

"There were moments I thought we would not make it. Things felt impossible and very wrong. But somehow, we are still here."

She stepped a little closer, her fingers brushing against mine.

"I have loved before but you will be my last and forever. I would choose you again. Every single time."

Her eyes held mine, unwavering.

"I promise to love you through everything. Through the good and the bad. Through every fight, every storm, every moment we feel like breaking." Her voice softened. "I am yours, Lucien. Completely."

She took my hand and slid the ring onto my finger. It fitted perfectly just like her in my life.

Before I could say anything, she lifted her head slightly, and I reached for her veil. I pushed it back carefully, needing to see her properly. The moment her face was fully revealed, I froze.

She was crying. Tears clung to her lashes, slipping down her cheeks, but she was smiling at the same time.

The priest’s voice rose above the murmurs, steady and clear. "By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."