Chapter 158

Draven was pleased to see the Queen looking well enough to attend the ceremony, though her presence did little to ease his growing impatience. The cathedral was now filled with guests, and the clergyman stood ready to begin. There was only one person left to arrive.

His bride.

A few minutes after the Queen’s entrance, Cassandra appeared at the cathedral doors.

She walked arm-in-arm with Theodore, who escorted her down the aisle.

Every eye turned towards them. Some guests regarded her with open admiration, while others appraised her with the discerning gaze of those accustomed to judging everything they saw. Cassandra paid them little attention. She held her head high, her gaze fixed ahead, with the poise and dignity befitting royalty.

For Draven, however, the sight of her made everything else fade into the background. His attention was fixed solely on the woman approaching him, and the pounding of his heart grew so loud that he barely registered the other sounds around him.

Cassandra wore a white silk gown with an elegant empire waist, the fabric cascading into a flowing skirt and a modest train that trailed behind her. Delicate embroidery adorned the bodice and sleeves and a long, translucent veil fell over her carefully coiffed blonde hair, leaving a few soft blonde curls to frame her face. Resting upon her head was a delicate diamond tiara, one of the many gifts bestowed upon her by the Queen.

It was the very tiara Delphine had worn on her own wedding day when she married Theodore.

Diamonds and pearls adorned Cassandra’s ears and throat, completing her exquisite ensemble.

She was radiant.

Draven had always known Cassandra was beautiful, even before marriage had become a possibility. But his admiration had never rested on her appearance alone. He loved her wit and intelligence, her unwavering sense of justice, and her stubborn refusal to let society dictate the course of her life.

He had watched her laugh, argue, question him, and surprise him in ways that continually revealed something new about the woman he loved. With every passing day, his feelings had only deepened.

Yet none of it had prepared him for the sight of her walking towards him in a wedding gown.

He had missed most of the clergyman’s quiet remarks, so completely had Cassandra captivated him.

When her gaze met his, he found himself unable to look away.

Her fingers tightened around Theodore’s arm as she continued down the aisle. Everything was exactly as she had envisioned it, right down to the cathedral she had chosen for the occasion.

It was serene.

Such was the difference a controlling mother-in-law could make. In her previous life, Cassandra had watched nearly all her wedding preferences dismissed or altered by a woman who took particular pleasure in having the final say. By the time the arrangements were complete, so little of Cassandra’s original vision remained that she had felt more like a guest at someone else’s wedding.

But she had believed she was marrying her soulmate, and that conviction had been enough to make her overlook the disappointments and accept whatever was decided for her.

This time, things were different. Every detail reflected what she had wanted, and for once, she had not been forced to surrender her wishes to keep someone else happy. Princess Lilian would have been delighted to know that Cassandra had finally gotten the wedding she always dreamed of.

As they reached the altar, Theodore gave her arm a gentle, reassuring pat before turning to Draven.

Theodore’s expression filled with affection as placed Cassandra’s hand in Draven’s outstretched one. He gave her one last tender pat before finally releasing her.

"Take care of her," Theodore said quietly.

Draven closed his fingers around Cassandra’s hand.

"I will."

Theodore nodded before stepping aside to take his place beside the Queen.

Cassandra remained facing Draven, her hand enclosed in his. She could feel the warmth of his palm against hers and the gentle pressure of his fingers. It was such a small gesture, yet it eased the nervousness gathering within her more effectively than anything else could have done.

The clergyman stepped forward, positioning himself before the couple.

"We are gathered here today before God and these witnesses to solemnise the marriage of His Grace, Draven Montague, Duke of Norham, and Lady Cassandra Ashford."

His voice carried clearly through the cathedral, reaching the furthest pews.

He spoke of the sanctity of marriage, of the promises two people made when they chose to bind their lives together, and of the responsibilities that accompanied such a commitment. His words were familiar to many in the congregation. The union before them was not merely a joining of two individuals but a marriage between two people whose names carried considerable weight in Arden.

Draven listened, though his attention remained largely on Cassandra.

She stood beside him with her veil falling softly over her shoulders and the longer he stared, the harder it was to look away.

After the clergyman was done with his marriage exhortation, he turned to the groom.

"Draven Montague, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish her, to honour and protect her, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Draven did not hesitate.

"I do." His voice carried through the cathedral, clear and certain.

The clergyman turned to Cassandra next.

"Cassandra Ashford, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish him, to honour and be with him, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." She said, looking deep into Draven’s eyes.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. May God bless your union and grant you both a lifetime of love and happiness. You may kiss your bride."

Draven had imagined kissing Cassandra many times, though he had never allowed himself to indulge those imaginings for long. He had once believed that wanting her was a private indulgence he would have to put aside, an affection he would carry without expectation of ever receiving anything in return.

She was his wife now, and the woman he had once thought beyond his reach was standing in his arms.

For a brief instant, the knowledge that they were standing before an entire cathedral full of guests returned to her with startling clarity. She was aware of the clergyman beside them, the Queen watching from the front pew, and the many faces turned toward the altar.

But all of that stopped mattering the moment Draven gently drew her closer and covered her lips with his. The kiss lasted only a few seconds before he was pulling away. One moment, his lips were moving tenderly over hers, and the next, he had left her flustered, her pulse pounding rapidly at the base of her throat.

Cassandra felt the same unexpected jolt, her heart quickening as they parted. His gaze remained fixed on hers, carrying an intensity that made her forget the watching congregation.

Then the applause rose around them.

Cassandra smiled, and Draven returned it before lifting her hand to his lips. The gesture was brief and tender, leaving her cheeks warm as she placed her hand on his arm.

The kiss had lasted no more than a few seconds, yet Cassandra could still feel the lingering tingle of Draven’s lips against hers as they walked out of the cathedral.

She had never imagined that something as simple as a kiss could leave her feeling so thoroughly bereft.