Rhys paced the living room of his townhouse and looked down at his watch once more. Dressed in his tuxedo and immaculately groomed, he had been ready to leave for the wedding venue for nearly two hours. But they weren't leaving yet. In fact, they weren't leaving for another hour. Another hour before he could see Feyre and he had been without her all the previous night.
It hadn't been their plan to be separated before the wedding. They had planned to spend every last minute of it in each other's company but his family had had other plans. They had separated them coming out of work and had all but kidnapped Feyre. His brother had stuck to him like burrs to keep him from chasing down Mor and Amren as they had spirited Feyre away, presumably to Mor's apartment. Then his brothers had insisted on a night out to celebrate the end of his bachelordom.
What had been a few drinks and several toasts by a rather loud Cassian had sparked a media swarm. Rhysand Nox was getting married. Now it was being broadcast on every news station along with speculations on why they had kept it secret. Nosy individuals called in their answers ranging from the bride being an escort he had somehow knocked up to some arranged marriage to a daughter of a business partner.
Rhys had been listening to them all day wishing that Feyre wasn't. He knew for certain that no one knew the location of their wedding. The Starfall Gallery was never mentioned in any speculations on where they might be saying their vows. It seemed no one they were paying for services for the evening had talked to the media even without a gag order. Not Elain who had single handedly done their flowers. Not Sevinda as she did their catering. Not the musicians they were paying to play for them or the bakery their cake was coming from. And certainly not Amren who was officiating the entire thing as a personal favor to them.
"Will you sit down? You're going to be too tired to dance with your bride at this rate," Cassian teased as he poured scotch from a crystal decanter into three crystal tumblers. "It was only a matter of time."
"As our viewers have been dying to know, we have had a break in the story regarding who the outrageously wealthy business tycoon Rhysand Nox is marrying." The reporter on the television spoke and drew Rhys' attention back to the screen. "An anonymous caller has reported the bride is none other than Mr. Nox's former personal assistant turned executive of Velaris Incorporated, Feyre Archeron. One can only assume Miss Archeron is after Mr. Nox for his money." A picture of Feyre, one taken without her knowledge of her out to eat with someone that had been cut out of the shot, flashed up on the screen along with the words 'Gold Digger'.
"Lies," he spat at the screen.
"They will find out soon enough," Azriel assured him. "It's clear how devoted you two are to each other and you know the media is just looking for a story."
"And they are likely just mad you didn't share every single detail with them. You know how they like to report on the dress, the flowers, the venue, and have exclusive access to the whole thing like you are some sort of celebrity," Cassian snorted.
"I want to go now," Rhys informed his two brothers. He wanted to be there when Feyre arrived. He wanted to be there to help her out of the car and then never let go of her. Screw walking down the aisle separately. They could walk together.
"We don't need to be there for another hour, Rhys. Even then we will still beat the girls there. They need to primp," Cassian teased.
"We need to primp far less than Rhys does," came Mor's voice from behind them.
Rhys whipped around and faced her to see she was standing in the bridesmaid dress she had picked out. Something red and scandalous in a way that would make her father scream if he ever saw her. Despite the outrageous amount of skin showing, she looked absolutely gorgeous. Rhys made a mental note to comment on it, but he had other pressing matters.
"Where's Feyre?" He asked when he realized his bride wasn't right behind her.
"In the limo waiting for her husband," Mor smirked at him. "I'll ride with these two. And don't mess up her hair and make up. I spent hours on getting her perfect."
"She was already perfect," Rhys called over his shoulder as he made his way out the front door.
The limo was parked outside and the driver was waiting for him. A driver he knew and trusted. And inside the limo was Feyre looking utterly divine in her gown. Somewhere in his mind he did heed Mor's warning to not make a mess of Feyre's hair and make up as he pulled her onto his lap and pressed a searing kiss to her collarbone.
"I never want to spend the night apart again," he told her.
"Did you sleep well?" She asked, her own arms enclosing around him.
"No," he admitted. His night had been filled with nightmares. He had witnessed Feyre's neck being snapped again and again and heard her pleading voice when she had all but begged him not to die. Every moment of terror they had experienced together had played out a thousand different ways and he hadn't been able to hold her and assure himself whenever he woke.
"I'll make it better tonight," she promised.
"How did you sleep?" He asked when the limo started moving.
"Not very well. On top of nightmares, Mor snores and I'm fairly certain Amren doesn't sleep at all." He felt Feyre shudder in his arms. "I swore she was watching all night."
"I'll make it better tonight," he parroted her promise back to her. "I promise you'll be too exhausted to dream at all." He pressed a promising kiss to her pulse point and she let out a low moan that almost undid him. But he needed to keep somewhat in control for now. Maybe somewhere at the gallery they could sneak away together for a few minutes to ease some tensions in both of their bodies. But until then…
"Have you been watching the news this morning?" Feyre asked.
"Unfortunately," he sighed. "I'm sorry my forced bachelor party caused this."
"I honestly don't know how they weren't aware. It's not like we've been completely secretive," she shrugged in his arms. "I mean, I'd prefer they weren't at our wedding but with high profile guests like Tarquin, Helion, Kallias, and Thesan, you would think someone would have tipped them off."
"Tarquin doesn't like all of the extra attention," Rhys reminded her. "Helion is a good friend who won't sell us out. Kallias prefers his privacy. No one knew when he married Viviane. In fact, most of Prythian isn't aware they are actually married still. And I'm sure Thesan is hoping for the same courtesy when he marries his man eventually," Rhys explained. "And we've only hired Velaris people to put on our wedding, so I have no doubt there is a bit of loyalty there."
"I'm honestly surprised Elain, or by extension, Nesta, didn't report anything," Feyre sighed.
"Someone said something. You may have missed it on the drive over but they at least have your name now. The media isn't exactly painting you in a pretty light." He didn't want to admit it, but he had to. She had to know. She deserved to know how she was being spoken about.
Feyre pulled out her phone from a purse on the seat next to them and clicked on one of the apps. A few clicks later both of them were able to listen to the latest news broadcast.
"We are being asked to retract our statements against Miss Feyre Archeron. It would seem that we have misspoken about her intentions with Mr. Nox. We apologize to them and any family that might be watching the broadcasts. May they enjoy their wedding. That is all."
"Amren," both of them spoke at the same time. There was no other person in the entire world that could make the media stop gossiping and realize they were getting close to slander. Rhys hoped with that, that the entire matter would disappear but he was wrong.
As the limo pulled up outside of the Starfall Gallery, the doors were almost completely blocked by people with both cameras and video cameras. News anchors started reporting the moment Rhys stepped out of the back of the car and offered a hand to Feyre. How they had discovered where they were going to be was yet another mystery but it didn't matter. This wedding was happening whether the media tried to storm the place or not.
Feyre let him wrap a protective arm around her waist and she smiled up at him brightly. The perfect picture of love between them as he couldn't help but smile back at her. This was their wedding.
"Guess we didn't have to hire a photographer," Feyre teased him quietly as they started through the crowd. And with that, Rhys couldn't help but laugh and press a kiss to Feyre's lips. He loved her humor. He loved everything about her, in all honesty.
Then the crowds drew back and Rhys felt two solid presences settle on either side of them. Azriel had gone to stand next to Feyre and Cassian had become an imposing figure on his left. Enough of a bodyguard detail to make the media swarm step back and allow them through to the front door where Elain was wringing her hands on the other side.
"I'm sorry," she murmured when the door closed behind them. "A customer saw the order slip on everything I was carrying out to the van this morning. It had the address on it and your first names. I don't think they made the connection until that tip about Feyre was aired." She twisted her hands together.
"It was bound to happen," Rhys assured her. Then he smiled at Feyre. "What matters is I get to marry this beautiful creature."
"I'm not sure being called a creature is necessarily a compliment," Feyre drawled and he smirked down at her. He wasn't sure what else to call her. To call her human was far too drab for what she was. She was something entirely different. She was his light when everything was dark. She was his wish come true.
"You're my Stars Eternal," he told her softly.
"My Night Triumphant," she murmured back. "The only reason I shine at all."
He smiled at her and cupped her face to give her a kiss. Mother Above, he could not get enough of this woman.
"Hey!" Mor chastised them as she came through the door completely unhastled by the media outside though Rhys could still hear them clamouring. She probably had enjoyed the attention and likely had done some sort of red carpet walk for them to show off her gown. "Save it for the wedding."
Rhys only grinned and gave Feyre one more kiss before he turned to look over the Starfall Gallery. Elain and the planners at the gallery had truly outdone themselves though Rhys had paid them well enough to make his wedding splendid. Feyre hadn't asked for much by way of decoration so he had stepped in to give a few suggestions. The entire place was dripping with deep purple orchids and little white flowers. The ceiling was swathed in midnight colored tulle with the white fairy lights shining through like stars in the night sky.
And the paintings that now graced the main floor around the dance floor and tables, they had been chosen to compliment the theme. Night skies from various artists over different scenery. The one he loved the most was behind the head table where only he and Feyre would sit. It was swirling black and dark blue with thousands of meticulously painted stars over a city. The view was a familiar one and he already knew the F.A. that would dot the lower corner of the painting. Feyre had asked his permission before taking pictures of the view from his office at night. Instead he had taken her to the roof so she had had an unobstructed view.
He supposed that Feyre's signature would likely change though he had promised her a thousand times over she could keep her last name. She had waved off his worry because she had claimed no attachment to her last name. And her career as an artist was new enough that she doubted anyone would know the different in one initial on the canvas. Despite his assurances that he would be fine without her taking his name, he was beyond pleased she was taking it. He couldn't wait for her to see the new name plate outside of her office or the business cards he had ordered. Even Cassian had told him he was far too giddy about those things.
"What do you think?" Feyre asked coming up to his side. He couldn't tell if she was talking about the painting or the venue itself but he had an answer that fit both.
"Perfect." He caught her bright smile and pulled her in for another small kiss, earning them the sound of Mor gagging somewhere in the distance. "Would Mor kill me if I asked you to slip into the restroom with me to enjoy a little alone time with you?"
"She's your cousin. You tell me," she poked him in the chest. He knew the answer but he wanted nothing more than to take her some place and at least kiss her silly, though their kissing tended to get carried away quickly.
"I can be careful," Rhys tried to promise, but he knew if any piece of hair fell out of place Mor would murder him. "The photographer will be here soon and then we can get this wedding on the move."
"You sound like you want to get this over with," she teased.
"The formalities, yes. I could have married you before a judge the moment you said yes and have been happy. The real point of today is you and I are together." He stepped closer to her to wrap a hand around her waist.
"Oh, that's perfect, hold that pose!" Came a voice Rhys recognized only because he had been the one to meet with the photographer to hire him. He obliged holding the pose. "Someone get me the bride's bouquet!" The photographer called.
After an hour of posing for pictures with both Feyre and his brothers and Mor, they greeted guests as they came in and then got ready to take their places. Rhys refused to let Feyre walk to him down the aisle. They were walking together.
Amren was not the sentimental officiant. She simply got through the basics of the ceremony. Then it was over and Rhys gave Feyre a searing kiss when directed by Amren until Cassian yelled at them to break it up.
They ate a traditional Illyrian meal provided by Sevinda and a cake painted up like the night sky. Within minutes of the meal being over, Rhys was handing out business cards for both caterers. After deciding to use only Velaris businesses they had stocked themselves with business cards for each and every single one they used. Elain had left after the pictures had been done as she hadn't been invited to the wedding, but when Viviane asked about the flowers he was happy to give her Elain's number.
Perhaps there was a future of being on friendly terms with Elain. Never as close as she should have been as Feyre's sister, but Feyre didn't seem to mind. She was in thick with Viviane and Mor at the bar for part of the night, enough so that Kallias wandered over to Rhys to question if he should be worried.
"Probably," was the answer that Helion gave with a chuckle. It earned a hearty laugh from Thesan, his partner, and Tarquin.
"Wait until she meets my cousin Cressinda," Tarquin added. "She, and my cousin Varian, are helping bring in the new changes we've talked about. I plan to bring them to our next big meeting."
"Speaking of, have you heard anything about Hybern," Helion asked.
"Now really isn't the time," Kallias interrupted. "Let the man enjoy his wedding."
"We can discuss it all at the next meeting," Rhys assured his friend.
"Husband," Feyre wandered over. The title she used made him feel utterly giddy and he couldn't help but give her a giant smile.
"Yes, Wife?" He responded knowing all of the men were grinning at his back.
"I thought we were going to dance at our wedding. Not stand around and milk the bar for all it's worth," Feyre chided.
"All night," he promised and bowed to offer her a hand.
"Save a dance for me!" Cassian called after them as they made their wya to the dance floor.
"I'm going to step on his toes," Feyre murmured as Rhys pulled her body close to dance.
"I doubt I'm going to let you go long enough for him to have a chance to have his toes crushed by you," Rhys informed her.
He did let her go, eventually, so she could dance with Azriel and Cassian, and then Helion, Tarquin, and Thesan. Rhys himself danced with Mor, Cassian, and then Helion, the latter letting his hands stray slightly more on Rhys than he had on Feyre. It didn't bother Rhys any and he saw Feyre chuckling in the corner whenever Helion's hands strayed to give him butt a firm squeeze.
Finally, finally, they were able to stumble to the limo amongst a few lingering members of the media. Partially drunk and exhausted Rhys couldn't bring himself to care. Instead he applied himself to thoroughly destroying Feyre's hair and makeup in the back of the limo with the intense kisses he had been dying to give her all night.
"You know," Rhys told Feyre as they pulled away from each other as the limo pulled up to the townhouse. "Helion gave me and offer to come make our wedding night a little more interesting."
"And you didn't take him up on it?" Feyre demanded.
"I figured I'd wear you out myself tonight," he laughed in response. "Maybe another night. I'm sure the offer will still stand tomorrow and well after."
Rhys tipped the limo driver as they got out and followed Feyre up to the front door of the townhouse. They could have stayed in a hotel for the night or gone away to some resort to have a honeymoon, but as he scooped her up to carry her over the threshold and straight up the stairs to their bed, he couldn't help but love that they were home together. But even this area wasn't left untouched. Mor, or Cassian, or possibly even Azriel had left them champagne on ice and a bed completely covered in flower petals.
Rhys made Feyre wait as he checked for pranks from his family beyond the gift and only found a small note from Mor telling him she would have killed Cassian if he ruined their wedding night. Only when he was sure the bed was safe and so was the rest of the room, Rhys deposited Feyre on the bed and proceeded to make her beg, moan, and scream until he had fulfilled his promise that she would be far too tired to dream and he was far too tired to have any worries other than Feyre being comfortable before he fell asleep.