THE WEDDING DAY
POV: Asher Nightshade.
The sun sat high above Raven’s Peak. The lawn glowed with flowers and string lights. Laughter drifted like music through the crowd as guests found their seats.
Inside, Asher stood near the back porch, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. Marisol handed him a boutonnière and nudged his arm.
“You nervous?”
He gave a crooked grin. “Only about the rest of my life.”
Just then, Delia stepped up. She was in a slate-blue dress, hair pinned simply, but her face was unreadable.
“Asher,” she said, a bit breathless. “There’s something I need to tell you before this starts.”
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Delia hesitated. “There’s someone here. Someone from Ember’s past. Jayke. Her ex.”
Asher’s shoulders tensed. “What?”
“He showed up just now. Said he only wa
