The Crystal 3 by Jones M (best beach reads TXT) 📖

in excitement, and I felt another dose of nervousness run through my form. Despite the anxiety, I was sure about my answer.

"Yes," I responded. "I still can't believe I am here, right now with every one of you. I'm getting married!"

I felt tears begin to cloud my vision.

"Oh, no you don't!" Selena said, hearing her heels click on the floor as she rushed towards me. She patted my eyes with a white cloth, gently wiping the tears.

"We don't want you to cry on your wedding day. I knew we should have gone with the waterproof mascara."

"I don't think we have enough time to replace the mascara," Trisha spoke with a frown.

"Everyone, it's okay," I said with a laugh. Selena finished drying the tears off my eyes, and I could see clearly again.

"Thank you, guys."

"You're welcome," Ashley said. "Now go get your wedding on."

The rest of us laughed at what she said. Then we proceeded to get ready for the ceremony.

Speaking of which, the wedding was going to be held inside the castle. Many invites had been sent, and the ceremony was not mandatory for everyone in Crystalia to attend.

Ashley and Selena walked out of the room, leaving me with Trisha and Elizabeth.

"Well, I'll see you at the wedding," Trisha said with a smile before she too began leaving the room.

There was a moment of silence as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Tears started clouding my vision, but with a deep breath, I held them back.

"Your parents would be so proud," Elizabeth said as she too started tearing up. She walked towards me and embraced me in a hug, and I hugged her back.

"Now, let's go start your life as a married woman."

Third Person's P.O.V

Flowers of different kinds were placed on the castle ceilings along with white and orange-yellow decorative sheets. People were entering the castle hall, the same one where Selena's coronation was held.

Zane was anxiously standing at the front with Ethan, conversing as they waited for the ceremony to begin. He had worn a black tuxedo with a black tie and a brown undershirt, with Ethan wearing a white suit that had a yellow undershirt.

"I can't believe you're getting married before me," Ethan said as he narrowed his eyebrows at Zane. Zane chose to laugh at him, even though he was nervous about the wedding.

"It's okay, Ethan. With our lifespan, you have at least a hundred years to find your one true love."

"One true love? Oh no. I've already lost you," Ethan commented with a false scared expression, making Zane playfully roll his eyes at him with a smile.

"Well, the wedding is about to start. I'll see you later," Ethan said, walking away from the altar. Zane looked around, spotting the various wedding decorations and the people that were still entering the hall. By then, most of the room was full. He was surprised that many people turned up for the ceremony.

They may be here for the cake, Zane thought as he chuckled to himself. His eyes roamed around, and he could see the seats reserved for his family. Zane spotted his relatives on the front, and he smiled as he waved at them.

Suddenly, the wedding tune began to sound through the hall. Zane's eyes widened, shocked that the ceremony was already starting. He looked around, seeing that he was the only one standing on the podium. He took deep breaths and reminded himself that it was what he wanted to do. He was in love with Emery, and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

Having calmed down, Zane looked forwards at the hall's massive doors. They opened, revealing the people who served as an introduction to the bride. He spotted the bridesmaids and the groomsmen. Surprisingly to Zane, Selena was one of the bridesmaids. He also spotted his sisters giggling and some even waving at him. Zane chuckled as he shifted on his feet. The bridesmaids took seats on the unoccupied left side of the aisle, while the groomsmen settled on the opposite.

Logan and Ashley soon followed, respectively being the best man and maid of honor. They walked forward and stood on Zane's sides, Logan being near him. He and Zane shared a smile before focusing on the aisle.

The ring bearer and the flower girl followed, both being young cousins of Zane. The two soon settled into their designated seats.

Then appeared Emery.

Zane lost his breath at the sight of her, almost collapsing on his knees. She looked beautiful in the wedding dress, even though he could not see her face through the veil. He spotted his future wife slowly walking towards him, one of her arms interlocked with Elizabeth's. Zane stared at Emery, his heart thudding as he felt love for her.

A while later, Emery was standing next to Zane. They were facing each other, but the veil Emery had worn was blocking her view of Zane. Zane took hold of the veil, flipping it over Emery's head to see her.

He smiled at the sight of her, losing his breath once again.

"You look beautiful," he told her. Emery smiled, and Zane could have sworn she blushed were it not for the makeup she had applied.

Elizabeth, who had led Emery to Zane, walked forwards and stood at the front. One of the wedding plans included requesting Erick's mother to officiate the wedding, and Elizabeth had agreed.

"Dearly beloved," Elizabeth started, her voice carrying around the room, "we are gathered here today to join these two, Emery Davis and Zane Marsh, in union. Certainly, their love is the kind that we all hope to have. Their decision to marry has not been entered into lightly, and today, they publicly declare their private devotion to each other. The essence of this commitment is the acceptance of each other in wholeness: as lover, companion, and friend. Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams. It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be loving and unselfish."

Elizabeth continued with the speech, and soon it was time for the rings. The pageboy and the flower girl quickly walked towards the stand, carrying rings that had been placed on a pillow. Zane took one of the rings and grabbed onto Emery's hand.

"Emery, we have shared a lot of history with each other. I know that I made your life hell, and I still wonder why you want to marry me."

A few chuckles sounded through the hall.

"I expected you to be mad at me and to avoid me forever. I never thought I would get this chance: a chance I had been thinking about ever since we started hanging out again. Emery, I am grateful you forgave me for all the crap I did to you, and I am glad you have given me the chance to show you the true version of myself; to show you how much I love you. I promise that I won't hurt you or make you go through what I put you through. Okay, we may have disagreements along the way. I can't promise you perfection because nobody is perfect. However, I can promise to give you all of me. You hold my heart, Emery. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Emery silently cried as Zane helped her place the ring on her finger. Afterward, Emery reached for the ring that was on the pageboy's pillow as she grasped onto Zane's hand.

"Zane, I've known you as a douchebag and an as-- you know what I wanted to say," Emery started, making Zane wince and the others laugh. "But you've also shown me other parts of you. Despite the crap we went through, I still fell in love with you. You showed me a loving, caring and responsible person. You showed me an understanding person, a person I can trust and call a friend. You also showed me a part of myself that I never acknowledged. Zane, you made me strong. You helped me realize that I can be happy despite my awful past, and I thank you for it."

Tears started clouded Emery's vision once again.

"I love you too, Zane, and I don't want to spend another minute not being yours."

Zane blinked away his own tears as Emery placed the ring on his finger.

"I'm sorry I forgot this," Elizabeth interrupted. "Is there anyone who opposes this union?"

Nobody replied.

"No?" Elizabeth questioned. "Well," she turned to face Zane and Emery with a smile, "you may kiss the bride."

Zane didn't wait for Elizabeth to finish her sentence. He grabbed onto Emery and quickly placed his lips against hers. They both felt sparks as their mouths made contact. Cheering and applause ensued, making Zane and Emery smile as they continued to express their love for each other.

"I am so happy for you guys," Logan told Zane as he patted his shoulder. That reminded Emery and Zane where they were, and they were forced to stop kissing.

"Thank you," Zane said as he hugged Logan. He retracted the hug, only to embrace Emery. Emery laughed as Zane spun the two of them on the stand.

"I can't believe this has happened," Emery commented with a breathy voice.

"Me too, Emery," Zane said, kissing his new wife once again. "Me too."

"How touching," a voice loudly spoke through the hall. The mood was immediately brought down, and the happiness that everyone felt immediately turned to dread. The new couple stopped kissing and stood on the floor. The cheers and applause were immediately silenced, and everyone turned to face the source of the voice.

It felt as if a dark presence had entered the room, which was actually true.

Zane and Emery looked forwards with wide, disbelieving eyes. Far in front of them, right at the entrance of the hall, stood an enemy that everyone knew; an enemy that they thought they had imprisoned, but apparently had escaped.

Eva smirked at everyone who was looking at her with a mixture of shock and fear. Beside her was Bianca, and she was floating mid-air.

"Missed me?" Eva asked, walking forwards to the stand as Bianca levitated right next to her.

 

Chapter 28

 

A couple of hours ago

Third Person's P.O.V

Because of the soundproof walls that surrounded Eva's cell, people couldn't hear her screams as she tried to escape with her magic.

Eva screamed again as she used her powers to try to destroy the rock. It was getting too much for her to handle, and she soon stopped to take a break that lasted for a short while. After a couple of seconds spent taking deep breaths, she tried again. Eva felt a hot sensation on her hands and arms, jolting her form and making her scream out in pain. She immediately collapsed to the ground as she heaved in exhaustion.

I have to get out, she thought. I can't live like this forever.

Eva continued to lie on the floor as she slowly gained her breath and strength. With an irritated sigh, she rolled to lie on her back. She tilted her head to the side, her eyes focusing on the rock that was blocking her way out of the cell.

Eva had lost count of the number of days that had passed in the cell. She wanted nothing more than to escape from her prison. She couldn't continue living in