FIVE

THE THRONGS OF people outside were astounding. Even though I had expected it, the size of the crowd was staggering. It made me nervous, and I had grown up with the constant watching eye of the media and public. I couldn’t imagine how Sam must feel in this moment. Even Alex looked anxious.

“You look a little pale.” I smiled over at my brother.

“I’m not pale.” He flashed a wobbly smile.

“You don’t look pale, you look like you’re going to hurl.” Max slapped Alex on the back and laughed. “Should I call for a bucket?”

“Shut up.” Alex growled.

“Cold feet?” I turned to look at him.

“Of course not.” He pulled at the sleeves of his tux. “Not mine anyways.”

“You think Sam won’t show up?” I laughed. I couldn’t help it. My cocky brother was worried the love of his life would stand him up at the altar. “Sam isn’t going to leave you hanging.”

“I’m worried about what she’ll do when she sees this crowd.” Alex peeked out the curtain. I squeezed next to him and looked at the masses.

“Chadwick will keep her calm.” I touched his arm.

Alex nodded sharply before wrapping an arm around my shoulders, leaning down, and kissing the top of my head. I smiled. This was something he did when he was nervous but didn’t want to say that aloud. It actually worked in his favor, because to those who didn’t know him, he appeared completely comfortable.

“When do we get to eat?” Max picked up a cracker from the table and popped it into his mouth. “This isn’t going to cut it.”

“You just had breakfast.” I rolled my eyes.

“A small breakfast.” He frowned. “Tiny.”

I didn’t take his grumpy attitude personally. He hated being in the public eye as much as, if not more than, Sam. The fact that he had agreed to be Alex’s best man without a fuss was a big deal. It was a large testament to how much he loved our brother.

“There will be snacks after the ceremony.” I walked over to the table and poured myself a glass of water. I needed to go downstairs soon.

“I see the motorcade.” Alex’s voice was quiet. One of the oldest Lilarian traditions was the ride the royal bride took through the city. Thankfully, Sam was able to do it in a car and not in a coach. However, this had meant she had to get ready at a local home before starting her ride to the palace.

“Get away from the window!” I ran over and pulled on his arm. He let me drag him over to a chair. I pushed his shoulders so that he sat, and I turned to look at Max. “Don’t let him peek.”

“Sure.”

“I mean it, Max! If you let him peek I will find out. And I will make your life a living hell.” I pointed at him.

“Breathe, Cathy. It’s going to be fine.” He shrugged. “I don’t know why it matters anyways.”

“Max,” I warned. “I have to go.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re welcoming her to the palace.” Max waved his cracker in the air. “Blah, blah, tradition, blah, blah.”

“It’s fine, Cathy.” Alex gave me a more normal smile. “I promise to not peek.” He lifted three fingers into the air.

“Okay. I have to go.” I shot Max a glare before darting out of the door. I’d have my hands full with Sam and really needed him to make sure that Alex didn’t have any problems.

Selene was hurrying toward me, her clipboard clutched in her hands. When she saw me, her face relaxed. “The duchess has arrived.”

“I’m coming.” I reached up and touched my tiara. I’d worn a very small one so that it wouldn’t in any way compete with what Sam was wearing. I didn’t want to wear one at all, but it was expected that I represent my title.

The cheer of the crowd could be heard through the castle walls. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, which made me worry even more about Sam. If I was nervous, she must be ready to run and hide. No wonder Alex was scared.

As I rounded a corner I ran into the suit-clad shoulder of a man. “Excuse me.”

“Cathy?” The deep American accent made me pause.

“David?” How did I manage to keep running into him? I looked up at him and felt my stomach tumble for a completely different reason. The man cleaned up nice. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m lost.” He smiled. “Chadwick only gave me a map for Rousseau.”

“Catherine.” Selene’s voice cut into the conversation, reminding me of the time crunch.

“Come on.” Grabbing his hand I pulled him with me. It would take too long to explain how to get to the seating outside. His fingers curled around mine and for some reason my mouth pulled up into a smile.

“Where are we going?” He picked up his pace to keep up with me.

“To welcome the duchess into the royal family.” I winked at him.

He didn’t say anything, but I saw him gulp. I squeezed his fingers to try and reassure him. Mother was waiting at the bottom of the stairs talking with one of her attendants. She looked up as we thundered down, and raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, I was with Alex.” I leaned forward to kiss her cheek. She looked amazing in a pale green dress that showed her support of the Rousseau family. It was a similar shade to the dresses Jess and I wore at Sam’s wedding party. Everything had been worked around the colors of the Rousseau family crest. Thankfully, Sam liked green.