Page 58 of Cinder's Trial
At least they quieted when Killian grabbed the microphone to say, “Good evening, ladies.”
A cacophony of screams erupted, and a few women fainted.
“I love you!” hollered someone in bright purple.
“Screw her, I’m your true love,” yelled another.
“Pick me!”
Killian shifted, uncomfortable and hesitating. I neared him and murmured, “You’ve got this. Just a few hours and it will be over.”
Killian nodded and took a deep breath. “Thank you for coming. I am pleased to announce that my meeting?—”
“Get to the point!” A woman in royal blue from head to toe, which included heavy eyeshadow, interrupted from the front. “You need to choose your bride.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be happening.” Killian tried to be honest, and the wave of boos just about knocked us over.
I glanced at Levi and saw him murmuring with Hannah, who then sidled to my side as Killian tried to explain that, while he appreciated the effort they’d made, he wasn’t here to get married.
Not what the crowd wanted to hear, and they began pushing for the dais, ignoring the ring of Knights that formed a wall to hold them back.
Hannah murmured in my ear, “I think it’s time for plan B.” Plan B being a fake engagement.
“But Levi?—”
“Says do what you have to. This is going to get ugly otherwise.”
I glanced at Levi, and he met my gaze, blank and stoic, but he did give me a slight nod.
With that permission, I moved to Killian’s side. He held the microphone with a deer-in-headlights expression.
I whispered in his ear, “Time to get engaged.”
He gave me a startled look before his eyes cleared with understanding. His shoulders went back, and he spoke once more. “I’m sorry, ladies. I must say that you look resplendent. Absolutely ravishing, however, my heart has already been captured.” He grabbed my hand and held it aloft. “I’ve found my Cinderella, and she’s agreed to be my wife.”
18
At Killian’s announcement, dead silence fell.
I waited for that switch to turn off and turn the potentials back into themselves.
A few visibly shook themselves and began pushing their way to the exit. But too many, far too many, remained, and the loud one in front chose to escalate things.
“If that’s true, then marry her. Right here. Right now,” Royal Blue demanded.
My jaw dropped. Married? That had never been part of the plan.
Luckily, Killian had a smooth reply. “Such a special occasion deserves proper planning.”
“You can always have a second ceremony later,” Royal Blue insisted. “If she’s your true love, then you’ll marry her right now.”
I glanced at Levi, who frowned.
Killian attempted to defuse with another excuse. “I’m afraid that’s impossible. We have no one to officiate.”
“I can perform the ceremony.” The same woman with her satin blue gown stepped forward, her chin tilted stubbornly. “I’m an ordained minister. I can hear your vows.”
“But my mother?—”