Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 68: Vows and doubt

Chapter 68: Vows and doubt

Mira’s lips trembled—was she about to cry?

No, she couldn’t. Her makeup would be ruined. As she tried to steady her breath, Lily, always attentive, noticed her distress and gently took her hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze.

"Mira, it’s fine. I promise," Lily said, her voice soft but firm, grounding Mira in the moment.

The tension in Mira’s chest eased a little, and she offered Lily a small, grateful smile. It was such a simple gesture, but those words carried weight, bringing her back to reality.

"Now, let’s go to the car," Lily added, her smile warm and reassuring.

As they stepped outside and into the car, Mira remained quiet, her mind spinning with everything that was about to happen. The chauffeur drove silently along the open road, and though the world outside seemed calm, Mira’s thoughts were anything but. She sat next to Lily, her hands nervously resting on her lap, fingers lightly tapping as if trying to dispel her anxious energy.

Lily noticed, of course. Always in tune with Mira’s emotions, she decided to break the silence, hoping to distract her friend from the nerves that were clearly overwhelming her.

"Thanks for choosing me to be your bridesmaid," Lily said softly. "It’s such an honor."

Mira glanced at her, a small but genuine smile finally breaking through the tension. "Oh, Lily..."

Before she could say more, Lily leaned closer, her tone turning playful. "And before I forget," she began, "James and I are in a relationship."

Mira’s eyes widened in surprise, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth. "Really? Oh my! Since when has this been going on?" Her smile grew wider, her excitement genuine now, and for the first time in hours, her worries faded into the background.

"When you left," Lily said with a sheepish smile.

"Oh, really?" Mira beamed, feeling joy bubble up inside her.

Lily turned her head slightly, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Yeah..." she admitted shyly.

"Oh, Lily, that’s so nice!" Mira exclaimed, feeling happiness for her friend start to push aside her own anxieties.

Just then, the car slowed to a stop in front of the large church, its towering presence casting a shadow over the vehicle. In that moment, the gravity of the day hit Mira like a wave—her wedding.

Her heart stuttered in her chest as she stepped out of the car, her legs feeling heavy beneath her. Lily was quick to follow, helping Mira adjust her gown and lifting the train as they approached the grand church doors. The sound of their footsteps echoed against the stone, making the moment feel even more surreal.

A woman, part of the wedding staff, stood near the door and spoke in a hushed tone. "The doors will open in a minute," she said, handing Mira the bouquet of perfectly arranged senerp flowers before bowing her head respectfully and stepping aside.

"You’re perfect," Lily whispered again, standing close behind Mira.

Mira barely heard her, her mind spinning. The large wooden doors loomed before her, and with every second, her heart raced faster.

What if Zamian isn’t there? Her mind spiraled. What if he postpones the wedding?

Suddenly, the doors began to creak open, and Mira’s breath hitched. She clenched the bouquet tighter, forcing herself to breathe. This was it. There was no turning back now.

With a deep, steadying breath, Mira raised her head, determined to face whatever lay ahead.

The church was massive, filled with people, their eyes all trained on her. Her steps were slow, almost hesitant, as she walked down the aisle. Behind her, Lily gracefully held her train, ensuring everything looked perfect. Mira’s fingers tightened around the bouquet, grounding herself with its soft petals.

Ahead, at the altar, stood Zamian. His dark blue tuxedo was tailored to perfection, highlighting his broad shoulders and lean frame. His brown hair fell casually across his forehead, framing his striking features, while his dark, half shot eyes remained locked on her, never once wavering. Even from this distance, she could feel the intensity of his gaze. His custom-made dark gold shoes added a touch of elegance to his already commanding presence.

And yet, despite how intimidating he was, Mira found herself not caring about that. He was there. The man she was about to marry was waiting for her.

Zamian, for his part, never took his eyes off Mira as she approached. Her dark hair was pinned back with silver pins, intricately woven and swept up in a style that accentuated her delicate features. The veil covering her face added an air of mystery, but even through it, Zamian could see her beauty. Her gown—elegant and form-fitting—hugged her curves perfectly, flaring out dramatically at her waist, with senerp flowers delicately embroidered along the hem. Small diamonds shimmered around the neckline, catching the soft glow of the church’s lights with every step she took. She looked ethereal, almost too perfect to be real.

Mira finally reached the altar, standing across from Zamian. Behind her, Lily took her place, and behind Zamian stood James, his best man. The priest, positioned at the center, was sweating profusely. If it weren’t for the priestly robes and Bible he held tightly, Mira might have thought he had run a marathon. But it wasn’t physical exertion that had the man so flustered—it was Zamian’s presence. His mere aura was enough to make even the priest feel uneasy.

The priest cleared his throat, his voice slightly shaky as he glanced between the bride and groom. "Dearly beloved," he began, his words echoing through the hall, "we are gathered here today to witness the union of Mira and Zamian in holy matrimony. This is a sacred bond, a commitment of love and support that they make before their friends, family, and, most importantly, before God."

He paused, his eyes darting nervously toward Zamian before continuing, "Marriage is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and reverently. It is a promise to stand by each other in good times and in bad, in joy and in sorrow."

He turned to Zamian first. "Zamian, do you take Mira to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish her for all the days of your life?"

Zamian nodded once, his gaze unwavering as he looked at Mira.

The priest then turned to her. "And Mira, do you take Zamian to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and support him for all the days of your life?"

Mira’s heart raced, her mind suddenly clouded by doubt. The priest’s words felt like a blade cutting through her. I’m making vows... vows that will never truly happen she realized, panic beginning to rise in her chest. Am I committing a sin?

She stole a glance at Zamian. For him, this was simple, easy. He didn’t care about the sanctity of this moment—it was just a formality. But for her, this was real. She had been raised in a home where God was at the center of everything. The idea of making these vows, knowing what her future with Zamian truly entailed, filled her with dread.

Her body trembled slightly, uncertainty flooding her.

’Did I make the wrong decision?’ she wondered. The thought had never crossed her mind so clearly until now, standing before everyone, at the edge of a commitment that felt too heavy to bear.

The silence in the church grew, suffocating and expectant. Every guest in the hall waited for her response, their eyes burning into her as she struggled to find her voice. But Mira remained frozen, her breath shaky and her heart in turmoil. She felt utterly trapped between her faith and the reality of the situation before her.

"Mira," Zamian spoke slowly, his voice carrying an odd calm, "it’s fine."

Mira finally looked at him, her pulse quickening. She couldn’t afford to ruin this wedding. The bouquet of the senerp flowers alone could buy her a house—she didn’t want to imagine how disastrous it would be if this fell apart now.

"I do," she finally said, her voice shaky but firm. The whole tension in the air seemed to vanish the moment the words left her lips.

The priest, who had been sweating profusely, sighed in relief before he spoke.

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest declared, his relief barely concealed.

Zamian’s lips tugged up into a smirk before he pulled Mira close, his hands firm around her waist. Without a second of hesitation, he kissed her, sealing their fate with a touch that was both possessive and final.

***

Dear readers,

I would like to inform you that Volume 1 of this book has come to an end. The next Chapter will begin Volume 2. If you’re still reading this, I am incredibly grateful—it means so much to me, especially since this is the first time I’ve written a book this long. I’m usually the type to write shorter stories, so this has been quite the journey! Thank you once again for your support. I truly appreciate it.