Arielle Immortal Resolve (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 8) (37 page)

Gabby’s eyes glittered with excitement, and she turned to look at Eva and Arielle. They were both pretty excited as well. They'd learned to love horses and horseback riding. Since Ian and Sebastian were both passionate about horses, the women had poured every ounce of strength and desire they could to become better riders, and now they loved their riding outings. They both had fought to rid themselves of their fear, and to bring into focus the happy moments they experienced while riding across open fields and on the beach. Just the look in Sebastian’s eyes the first time Arielle rode beside him had been worth the agony and stress she'd endured to become better at the sport.

“That'll be awesome!” Gabby exclaimed. “Are we going to the club?” she asked.

“No. I thought we should go to my house and ride our horses. Some belong to Sebastian, and they're beautiful,” Loren said.

That was a surprise to Arielle. She knew he had horses at the club, and at Saint Jean de Luz, but she didn’t know he had horses at his parent’s stables. She was excited to see them.

“We would love to do that,” Arielle said, filled with excitement. Eva and Gabby agreed. And so it was set.

They enjoyed a great lunch and wonderful conversation. They walked around for about 3 hours and they all picked up a few things, mostly lingerie, and a couple pairs of shoes.

When they left Loren at her car, she agreed to meet them at Arielle’s parents at 7:00 that evening with Paul.

In the car, Arielle asked Eva and Gabby if they wanted to spend the night with her, just as they used to do when they were younger. They both agreed without any hesitation. They dropped Arielle off at her house and left.

It was now 5:00 o’clock. She gathered her stuff and left for her parent’s house. She was glad to be leaving the house because she didn’t want to see Sebastian if he was to return for some reason or another before their wedding day. Eva and Gabby told her how excited they were to see their guys at the altar after not setting eyes on them for a whole week. The thought of being without him for a week was depressing, but she had to admit that the image of Sebastian waiting at the altar was exhilarating. She sank her teeth into her lower lip and shivered at the thought.

Her parents were thrilled to have Arielle home for a whole week. After their warm welcome, her mum went back to the kitchen to finish the wonderful dinner she was preparing, and her daddy went into his study and slipped back into the pages of one of his favorite books.

She excused herself, picked up her suitcase, and ascended the stairs in a rush. She stopped at the door of her childhood bedroom, and her heart thudded. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. She stood unmoved and stared in silence around the room, as tears began to burn the back of her eyes. Everything seemed to be where she'd left it the last day she moved her stuff out to the new house. She wasn’t the same little girl who’d occupied this room not so long ago. As the door closed behind her, she heaved a deep sigh. There was a quiet space of unspoken words, filled with love and warmth. What a unique and amazing feeling.

She unpacked and put her clothes away. Her throat tightened remembering the wonderful times she'd spent as a child in this room. The digital clock on the nightstand showed 6:30. This was going to be her home away from home for the next few days. The realization of becoming Mrs. Gaulle hit her with the force of a mallet. She bit back a groan at the thought of Sebastian and their earlier encounter. He was the most amazing man who'd ever lived, at least in her eyes. And now, this amazing man would become her husband. She took another quick look around and ran out the door. Her friends were waiting downstairs.

Chapter 21

ON THE DAY OF
her wedding, Arielle woke up late. The morning sunlight slipping through the sliver between the curtain and the window edge shot bright light on her face. Her eyes fluttered and opened slightly. How odd that she would oversleep on a day like this, but then not so odd after celebrating with her friends until the morning hours. Her head pounded and the effects of that tugged at her eyelids. She pulled the covers over her head.
One more minute!
She thought.

She finally flung the covers away and slowly sat up cross-legged in the middle of her huge bed. With a soft sigh she dropped her chin onto her hands, and closed her eyes. Her foggy mind instantly came alive.
I
’m getting married today!
She giggled blissfully. Just the thought of Sebastian, and the very concept of marriage, made her body tense. She felt giddy, reeling from the warm sensation that erupted inside her. The sheer notion that tonight she would be sharing a bed with her
husband
sent delicious shivers down her spine. The word
husband
was a seductive murmur that rippled across her body and settled in the depths of her marrow.

Less than twenty minutes later she'd showered, dressed, and made her way downstairs to look for her parents. She entered the kitchen and found her mum preparing breakfast.

“Something smells good,” she called joyfully.

“There you are,” her mother said turning to face her. “Did you sleep good, darling?”

“Yes, thank you, Mum,” she replied with a soft yawn. Closing the distance between them, she fell into her mother’s open arms.

“Today's the big day!” her mother chuckled. “You’ll be the prettiest bride ever,” she choked tears as she held her tightly.

“I love you, mummy,” Arielle whispered.

Her mum clear her throat, drew a tight breath unable to disguise her emotions. “Would you like something to eat?”

“Yes, please, I'm famished.”

“How about some eggs and bacon?”

“Mmmm, that sounds wonderful,” Arielle said. “Where's daddy?”

“He’s in his study reading the newspaper. His breakfast will be ready shortly so please go and get him.”

Arielle turned on her heels, walked across the hall and into her father’s study. He was sprawled in his favorite chair, his face buried in the newspaper.

“Good morning, Daddy!” she called out happily.

Slowly he lowered the paper and looked at Arielle warmly. “Good morning, pumpkin.” He scooted over in the big chair, and gestured with his hand for her to sit next to him. Her hesitation amused him. “Come on, you haven't grown
that
much. We can still fit in here just as we always did,” he said and taking her hand, he drew her down on the chair with a chuckle.

Arielle squeezed in the big chair, falling into his embrace, and laid her head on his shoulder.

“I’m so proud of you, little girl,” her father whispered, his voice breaking with emotion. “It'll be hard to give you up, but at least I know Sebastian is a good man, and he loves you very much.”

Arielle watched the emotions swirl in her father’s eyes and a lump rose to her throat. “Daddy, I’m not going anywhere. I’m still here, and you're still my number one guy.”

Her father gave her a tight squeeze and she giggled. “You're marrying a wonderful man who loves you very much. I couldn’t be any more proud of you,” he said again. His eyes misted and he reached in his pocket for his handkerchief.

“I am a bit nervous, daddy,” she murmured.

“There is nothing to be nervous about, pumpkin.”

“I know, but…” her voice trailed. She sighed inwardly. “I can’t believe I’m getting married.”

“Breakfast!” her mother called before he had a chance to comment.

“We better go,” her father chuckled. “You know your mother.”

They rose and Arielle slipped her hand in her father’s as they walked together to the breakfast room.

Five more hours before she would set her eyes on the man who'd turned her life into a wonderful, magical dream. Sebastian had text each and every day. Always the same text that made Arielle chuckle. “I love you, I can’t wait to marry you, please miss me.”

***

It was now 4:00, the house was a bustle of excitement, and her parents were blissful. The wedding was scheduled for 6:00. Arielle had arranged to meet Eva, Gabby, and Loren at the church at 4:30. They'd reserved a special room to get ready. The guys would be there a little earlier in a different part of the church so they wouldn’t run into each other before the ceremony.

Sebastian entered first followed by Troy, Ian, and Paul. He heard swishing and soft whispering, but he didn’t look at the guests. He took his place on the right hand side to the left of the altar. Troy, Ian and Paul stood next to him. He finally looked up. His gaze swept the front pew and saw all his immortal friends, including his mother and father. On the other side of the aisle he saw Arielle’s mother, the Taylors, and Mrs. Winters.

The bridal music sounded and every eye in the church turned to look down the aisle. The silence was broken by happy whispers. Gabrielle walked in first, Arielle came in hanging on her proud father’s arm and Eva and Loren borne the long train of her beautiful veil. Her father supported her as she walked nervously down the aisle. Arielle’s mother started to cry at the sight of her daughter in her wedding dress. She looked absolutely stunning.

Her dress was of rich white satin trimmed with appliquéd flower blossoms. The bodice was fitted and strapless, trimmed with small diamonds around the edges. The pure white satin had been imported from the Far East and manufactured in Paris with a magnificent spray of brilliant stones all over the skirt. The design had been drawn expressly for her wedding and surpassed her expectations. The headdress was a gorgeous tiara trimmed with diamonds and the veil was of Honiton lace.

Gabrielle, Eva, and Loren wore emerald green brocade with satin trim and brilliant diamonds throughout the material, giving it a 16
th
century look. The color of their dresses had been Arielle’s choice, to reflect the color of Sebastian’s eyes.

Bouquets of freshly cut flowers adorned the aisles, filling the air with a breathtaking aroma.

Arielle’s eyes fell on the man who'd made her dreams come true. A knot tightened in the pit of Arielle’s stomach. He was stunningly beautiful. He looked so dignified, tall, with broad shoulders, long muscular legs and an aura of elegance and utter masculine beauty. She drank him in with her eyes.

At the sight of Arielle, Sebastian couldn’t breathe or pull his gaze away from her. She was a vision to make any man lose control of his wits. Her veil covered her beautiful shoulder-length brown hair. Behind the veil, her sapphire eyes glowed with passion. He was lost in desire. He'd never seen another woman so utterly beautiful. And she was all his.

He drew a breath as she approached. He was aware that all eyes were on her. She was stunningly beautiful. Sebastian struggled to breathe as he vaguely heard the priest’s voice.

“Who gives this woman away?”

“I do,” her father replied and placed her hand into Sebastian’s. Soft warm fingers gripped his hand and he looked down into her eyes. A dazzling smile painted her luscious lips and in a daze he smiled back.

They turned to face the priest and Sebastian kept her hand protectively in his. Shifting his grip he weaved their fingers.

Still in a haze he repeated after the priest the required phrases. Then Arielle took Sebastian’s ring from Gabby and taking his hand in hers, slid the ring on his finger as she spoke her vows.

“I, Arielle, take you, Sebastian, to share my life, to be my husband, my lover and my friend in the presence of God, our families and friends. I offer you my heart, my soul and solemn vow to be faithful and be yours in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, regardless of the obstacles we may face together, to support you, to honor you and respect you, to comfort you. You have brought pure joy into my life and I can’t be if you are not with me. You are the most wonderful, generous, and unselfish man and I’ll love you for eternity.”

Troy handed Sebastian Arielle’s ring and he turned to her. She extended her hand and he closed his fingers about hers. He slid the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. He looked down into her eyes and their gazes locked. Passion scorched. He was now ready to vow his love and promise to her.

I, Sebastian, take you, Arielle, to be my wife, my best friend and my lover. My life didn’t begin until I met you, the sun didn’t shine until I looked in your eyes and the stars didn’t come out at night until your smile appeared in front of me. I can’t breathe if you are not with me and I can’t imagine life without you. You're enchanting, funny, sensual and affectionate and you make the earth rotate, you bring the sunshine and the world feels right when you're next to me. I promise to love you, to protect you, to support your goals and to make you utterly happy with all the power I hold. I couldn’t wait for this day and now here I stand in front of you ready to give you my very soul and I feel complete.

Their gazes remained locked and they stood unmoved as if time had stopped.

“And now, by the grace vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife.” The priest’s voice was loud enough for everyone at the church to hear, snapping Sebastian and Arielle out of their dazes. Both turned to face the altar.

The priest smiled kindly. “You many now kiss your bride.”