Chapter 261: Two Worlds
- RORY -
Raya looks breathtaking. We put her hair in a loose, romantic braid with pieces carefully left out to frame her face. She wanted a natural look, so all the colors we used for her makeup are subtle highlights of the beauty she already possesses. And she’s every bit the glowing, blushing bride.
While we ride in the tuk tuk toward the mysterious ceremony destination, there’s a light fog hanging in the trees that makes this all seem that much more surreal. With it still being morning, the heat hasn’t penetrated deep enough yet to burn the small wisps of clouds away. It looks like we’re passing through an enchanted forest.
Raya keeps fidgeting nervously, and finally I reach over and take her hands in mine. I feel bad, because I’ve been a little distracted this morning. The insanely hot dream Luciano and I shared is still clinging to me like the fog in these trees.
The dream was so real, I can’t shake it. It feels like I’ve skipped through time between two worlds, and now I’m left slightly off balance. In one world, it was apparently my wedding day, and in this one, it’s Raya’s.
I need to see Luci, and then I’ll feel a lot better. Right now, it feels like I left him in that dream—like he’s a dream himself. I’m also nervous to see him, because... well, I don’t exactly know why.
It’s not like we haven’t slept together before. But what we shared this morning made the connection between us even deeper. I can feel it—like there’s a delicate cord that runs from my heart to his. It aches deeply to return to him. It’s consuming my thoughts.
The tuk tuk finally stops at a path where other similar vehicles are parked. Our two mafia bodyguards help us out, and waiting for us at the path’s entry are Dad and Patricia. Our very odd parents who nevertheless look like they haven’t spent a day apart. They look natural together.
Both of them are genuinely overjoyed to see Raya, and it tugs at my heart. This is the way it should have always been. If they love us like they say they do, our family shouldn’t have been torn apart. Instead, now we’re islands separated by so much hurt and so much unknown. There’s no fully crossing that distance. It will always remain.
"May I have the honor of walking you down the aisle, Auraya?" Dad asks, offering his arm.
She smiles. "I would like that."
"We’ll see you there." Patricia kisses my sister on the cheek and starts down the path before stopping to wait for me.
"You’ve got this," I whisper to Raya and squeeze her hand. "And you look absolutely breathtaking."
"Thank you," she says with a teary smile, but she keeps the tears from falling. They swim in her eyes, sparkling like starlight.
I leave her with our Dad and catch up to Patricia, vaguely aware that one of the mafia guys follows closely on my heels. Maybe I should be engaging him in small talk or something, but I don’t have enough mental capacity for that right now. All I can think of is getting to Luciano and finally seeing him on this side of dreams.
It’s a short distance before we arrive at a small, wide bridge that has been taken very good care of. It’s not rickety or weathered at all. Gentle rapids pass under its polished wooden beams, and somewhere close there’s obviously a waterfall. The sound of all that water tirelessly crashing is unmistakable.
"Wow," I whisper, hanging back a few steps and letting my mother walk ahead so I can appreciate this for just a moment.
I feel a twinge of regret that we won’t be able to explore more of this place before leaving. There is so much here to discover. I’ve never seen so much wild beauty.
Ahead is a large wooden gazebo-like structure with a pointed, thatched roof. It’s indigenous in appearance, honoring the history of our surroundings. Lights with wicker shades hang from its ceiling alongside dangling strings of red and orange flowers. The blooms appear to be floating in midair.
In the very center of the magical space, Dex waits for his bride. At his feet is a beautiful mandala-patterned rug that looks to be made from real flowers. This is where he and Raya will stand and exchange vows. This is where they will become husband and wife.
A photographer is poised discreetly by one of the beams, taking pictures. What an amazing job he must have if this is a regular day for him.
"Is this okay?" Dex asks when I enter. He looks just as nervous as Raya.
"Oh yeah," I smile. "It’s incredible. You did great."
He smiles and takes a deep breath, gaze returning to where I entered, patiently waiting for my sister to appear.
Everyone else is standing around the periphery, scattered in a circle to be witnesses. Finally, I see Luciano. His dark eyes drink me in as I walk to his side.
His parents and sister are watching. Patricia is watching. But the only gaze I can bring myself to care about is his.
"Good morning, tesoro," he says softly, taking my hand.
It’s such a small gesture of affection, but I can feel the electricity behind it. The intimate encounter that was carved out in our very own dreamworld this morning roars vividly to life in my thoughts. All I can feel is his body draped over mine. His hands, his lips, his mouth, his touch. The intense experience of being loved by him.
"You look beautiful," he says, voice bringing me back to the present and stirring that deep yearning for him all at the same time.
"Thank you," I whisper, keeping my attention on where Raya is going to be entering. "I chose this one."
His hand rises from mine, skating up my arm and drawing me close enough that he can whisper in my ear. His breath against my neck is a tease, a prelude to more.
"And I look forward to tearing this one off, too."
A shiver is all I offer in response, and his hand drops to my lower back. Luciano makes me weak and provides the strength to ground me all at the same time. I don’t ever want to find myself away from him again. I’m fully addicted to this man. There’s no going back.
A soft melody begins playing from somewhere, perhaps from the very air itself. With how surreal all of this is, it wouldn’t surprise me.
All at once, the energy surrounding Dex shifts, and I realize he’s watching Raya walk toward him. I wish I could see his face—see the love in his eyes for my sister. Hopefully the photographer captures it, but right now the moment is for them alone.
