Page 32 of Condemned to You

Emilio reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, delicate ring with a pear-shaped diamond, the band glinting in the moonlight. “It’s not what you deserve. It was a last minute purchase, and once we are back in the city, I will get you a proper one.”

“Yes,” I answered. My heart swelled as he slipped the ring onto my finger, the simple yet beautiful design a symbol of our commitment. I didn’t need the fancy material things or to be draped in diamonds, this was more than enough. “Emilio, it’s beautiful,” I breathed, tears welling in my eyes.

“Just like you,” he replied softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear as he got to his feet.

I would have been satisfied getting married in this very moment, right now under the night stars. We kissed – the world fading around us.

Emilio POV

It wasn’t the traditional wedding I ever thought it would be, but our love wasn’t the traditional kind. As the sun began to rise over Kvernufoss, its golden rays illuminating the cascading waterfall, I stood at the edge of the misty clearing, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. Deeply invested in the Icelandic heritage, Bethany planned our ceremony outdoors as she claimed it was to “connect us to the elements of earth, water, air and fire.” I didn’t give a shit what kind of ceremony she wanted as long as she was happy. The sound of rushing water filled the air, creating a symphony of nature that perfectly matched the fluttering in my chest. Dressed in a crisp, navy suit that contrasted beautifully with the lush greenery surrounding me, I adjusted my tie, the cool breeze sending shivers down my spine. The towering cliffs of moss-covered rock loomed above me, forming a breathtaking backdrop for the momentous occasion that lay ahead. I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, earthy scent of the landscape, and pictured Bethany standing before me, her smile radiant against the stunning natural beauty. Today, under the watchful gaze of the waterfall and the vast expanse of the sky, I would vow to love her for eternity, embracing the adventure that awaited us.

Bethany POV

As the first light of dawn broke over Kvernufoss, illuminating the majestic waterfall and casting a gentle glow on the lush greenery surrounding me, I stood nervously in the secluded glade, my heart racing with excitement. The cool mist from the cascading water kissed my skin, mingling with the delicate floral scent of the wildflowers that adorned the area. Dressed in a flowing, light pink gown that danced around my ankles, I adjusted the lace-trimmed veil that framed my face, glancing at my reflection in the mirror. Admiring having done my own hair, the front sections braided and pinned back as the rest of my hair flowed freely in waves under the veil. The sound of rushing water outside the cabin placed near the waterfall provided a soothing soundtrack as I took a moment to breathe deeply, allowing the beauty of the landscape to ground me amidst the whirlwind of emotions. I envisioned Emilio waiting just beyond the curtain of water, our love made tangible in this breathtaking setting. Today, in this enchanting haven, I would make a promise that would bind our hearts together forever, surrounded by nature's splendor and the magic of the moment.

A knock at my door by the girl at the front desk told me it was time. I chose Kvernufoss Mountain due to the seclusion yet serenity the location gave. It was perfect for our intimate celebration given it was only Emilio, myself, the priest, and our witness. As I made my way toward Emilio who was beside the priest, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. With the backdrop of the cascading waterfall, this moment couldn’t have been more perfect.

Even though this was an elopement, I wanted this ceremony to be deeply tied to Iceland’s cultural heritage. As we stood face to face, Emilio took my hands in his, our fingers tightly entwined in front of us while the priest began to speak.

“Jim, do you promise to love, to stand by, and to cherish Freya no matter what?” The priest voiced.

“I promise to love you, to stand by you, to cherish you, no matter what.” Emilio was never emotional; this was the first time I heard him get choked up.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I replied, “And I promise to love you fiercely, to support you, and to choose you every single day.”

Underneath the vast, open sky, we exchanged our vows, pure and heartfelt, sealing our commitment in the sacred space of that moment.

“I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Emilio placed a soft kiss on my lips as his hands were placed on my hips. In this moment, it was just the two of us, bound by love and the promise of forever. We had chosen each other, against all odds, and nothing would ever change that. We snapped out of the moment just as we heard someone clapping their hands. As we both turned our heads, we saw a man, with half a slightly disfigured face, smirking in a sinister way.

“That was beautiful,” his raspy voice buzzed through the air.

Emilio without looking at me stood in front of me. “Bethany, run.”

Chapter Eighteen

I might not know the face but I sure as hell knew the sound of that voice. It was the same voice that held a gun to my head while handing over the duffle bag. I’d never forget that voice. How the hell did he find me? I made sure I was cautious leaving Chicago the same way I left the first time. After I had gotten my ticket, I knew I needed to swap my boarding pass. It was easy when I spotted a young college kid and convinced him now was the time to explore the world and traded tickets with him. Then, to be extra cautious, I swapped my ticket with a random person who was ordering coffee at one of the gates.

The man, who I recalled being called Birdy, stood with his arms across his chest and a smirk that I wanted to slap off his face. He was about my height but had a wide bulky frame. My first thought when I heard his voice was to tell Bethany to run but I should have known there would be others here to hone us in. The scream of Bethany behind me as someone grabbed her pulled at my heart.

“Let go of me!” Bethany screeched.

“What is going on here?!” The priest asked concerned and fearful.

Bang. Bang. I heard the gunshots and two bodies dropped behind me. Bethany screamed as she witnessed the priest and our witness get shot. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, and the cold air was starting to sink into my skin.

Birdy began walking toward me as the man holding Bethany came into view. He was very young, with a baby face and blond golden curly hair.

“You could have just called,” I said to Birdy.

“You seemed to have left the phone at the airport along with the duffle bag. Didn’t leave behind the money though,” he scoffed.

That was another swap I did. After buying a new piece of luggage, I tossed the duffle bag and stuffed the new luggage with the cash.

“You were stupid to go back to Chicago. Did you really think we wouldn’t keep an eye out for you to return?”

“If you have been following us the last 2 weeks, then why wait to show your face now?” I asked.