by Charity B.
He smiles so big I think he’s going to laugh. Benji comes out of the kitchen and whistles. “Look at you, Zeb.” He claps his hands and pulls on his backpack. “Mia and Kelsey are meeting us at the airport in an hour and a half.” He leans over and kisses Sammy who’s checking boarding times on his phone. “You got the salt and vinegar chips, right?”
Samuel deadpans and signs, And the Monsters, beef jerky, and pork rinds.
“Nice.” Benji pulls out his phone and taps on the screen. “Okay, the airport is an hour away. Make sure you go to the bathroom now.” Grabbing Sammy’s hand, he pulls him to his feet as he nods to me and Zeb. “You guys are riding with Zeke and Kaila. The luggage is packed in my car.”
As we double check that we have everything, Zeb anxiously zips up the backpack I got for him.
I lean my head against his arm. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just kind of scared to get on the plane.” He gives me a nervous chuckle to lighten his statement.
“For the most part, it almost feels like you’re standing still.” I grab his hand. “I was scared the first time too.”
“If we were meant to fly, we’d have wings.”
He says it almost to himself, making my chest ache. I know he’s still struggling with his faith. Kissing the side of his mouth, I whisper against his skin, “Now, we have the power to give wings to ourselves.”
“Laurel Ann!” Mia calls across the terminal. She runs up to us with Kelsey hurrying behind her. She slams into me, squeezing my neck.
“You look amazing!”
She’s nearly about to combust with joy, and seeing her happy like this makes me laugh. I hold her at arm’s length. She’s wearing a sleeveless, blue sundress that goes to her thighs, with copper jeweled sandals. I haven’t seen her in months because she and Kelsey moved to Oklahoma City to go to school.
Things weren’t easy with us at first. She stayed with me, but was still angry with me about Zeb, and as a continuation, put the blame on me for Marybeth getting taken away. Eventually, she and Kelsey were able to really explore their relationship, and Zebadiah no longer seemed that important to her. She found Marybeth and keeps in touch. She apologized for blaming me and admitted her struggle with learning of the notebooks as well.
“You are beautiful, Mia.”
Everyone hugs them, excited in their greeting, though Zeb and Mia are a little awkward and settle on a handshake.
We board the plane, sliding between the aisles to our seats. Zeb is fine until we start moving down the runway. As we lift in the air, he squeezes my hand and holds his breath.
“I promise, it’ll be fine. Just let it get in the air.”
Even though he nods, my fingers feel close to breaking with how hard he’s grasping them.
Benji however, looks like he’s having the ride of his life.
Once we get in the air and straightened, Zeb finally relaxes, looking through the magazine on the back of the chair in front of him. His jaw drops as he flips through the pages.
“I have no idea what any of this is.”
“I know. You’ll get there. It took all of us some time to feel acclimated.”
Instead of the magazine, we look out the window, reveling in the majesty of being in the clouds.
“Zeb?” He pulls his gaze from the window with a raised brow. “Are you scared to live without a God?”
He sighs as he leans back in his chair. “My cellmate was a religious man. He believed in a very different God than Zaaron. He told me that there are many ways to have faith. I don’t know if there’s a God, Laur, but I’d like to think there’s something.”
His words comfort me as I lean over to kiss him. “Maybe we’ll find the answers in this life, maybe we won’t. I just know I want to do it with you.”
He laces his fingers with mine, looking at me while he rests his head against the airplane seat.
“Maybe faith in each other is all we need.”
Five hours later we get off of the plane in Florida. We take a bus to the hotel to drop off our things. I barely get to explore mine and Zeb’s room before Kaila starts pounding on the door.
“Laur! Come on! We’re taking a detour with Mia and Kelsey. I need my girl time. These boys are driving me nuts.”
Zeb kisses me, laughing against my lips. “Have fun, we’ll meet up later.”
I open the door only to get pulled into the hallway by Kaila. She’s skips to the elevator, swinging a large purse in her hand. We walk out to the lobby to be waved over by Mia and Kelsey. I follow them all out to the taxi cab waiting at the front of the hotel.
“Where are we going?” I ask Kaila once we get outside.
“Surprise.”
I roll my eyes and climb into the cab after her. I’m finally accustomed to riding in a car, though it took me a while. As we pull onto a highway, Kaila asks Mia about life in Oklahoma City. That’s all it takes for her and Kelsey to ramble on about school, work, and their friends.
We stop for froyo, and soon we’re pulling in front of a building that almost looks like a house. We walk inside to find a woman in a suit smiling at us.
“Welcome!” She holds out her arms and gestures for us to follow her. “Right this way. My name is Riley Orchid.” We walk behind rows of chairs lined up facing a stage, and she leads us to a room with an open door. “I’ll be outside, in back, if you need me.”
“Thanks, Riley.” Kaila hands her a piece of paper before placing her bag on the table. Digging inside, she pulls out a white, folded stack of lace. When she drops it open, my skin burns hot.
It’s a dress.
“Put it on,” she urges.
My stomach flips as a thought flutters across my mind that I can’t allow myself to think, much less hope for. I unbutton my romper and drop it to the floor before sliding the white dress over my head. While there are no sleeves, the straps are thick and the neckline is modest. The fabric beneath lands at my thighs, and the top layer of lace falls to my shin. I look up to see Mia grinning at me, holding out a crown made of white and yellow flowers. Mia sets a pair of white heels on the ground, and I slip my feet inside. I still can’t make myself say anything.
“Time to go.” Kaila opens the door.
I follow them back into the main room. We walk along the side of the chairs to another door, and when Kaila opens it, the sun shines bright as we go outside. There are chairs set up out here too, and once my eyes reach the front, a laugh escapes, and my eyes fill with tears.
Zebadiah stands inside of a gazebo, wearing a suit and looking more handsome than I’ve ever seen him. Zeke, Benji, Sammy, and Riley are all standing with him, grinning at me. Music plays while we walk to them. I notice a man sitting in the chairs, but I’m simply too overwhelmed to focus on him. When we arrive at the gazebo, Kaila, Mia, and Kelsey move to the side.
I laugh again, and Zeb takes my hands with a smirk. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I choke out.
He presses his forehead against mine and whispers, “Will you be my one and only wife?”
The tears freely pour down my cheeks. I hug him tightly against me. I can’t speak, so I nod profusely against his shoulder.
We stand in front of Riley as she says, “I understand you have your own vows?”
Zeb nods, and I panic. I am in no way prepared for this. Riley gestures behind us to the man sitting in the chairs. He steps into the gazebo, reaching for what looks like a pen, but it’s plugged into an outlet. When he gets closer, I recognize it as a wood burner from taking woodshop in high school. Zebadiah holds out his hand, and the man takes the finger next to his pinky. He grits his teeth while the man puts the contraption against his finger, groaning as his skin sizzles. The man burns a line all the way around, making a complete circle.
I feel light at the symbolism this represents. We don’t know what we believe anymore, and until we figure it out, we are going to do what feels right. Burning our earthly bodies with the sigil of our love…that definitely feels right.
“I can’t promise wealth or that things won’t ever be hard, but I vow that I will always love you. I will always be faithful to you and will stand by you no matter what struggles we endure. I will do everything I can to make you happy for the rest of this life and the next.” He smiles at me, and his voice is a shaky. “Not even in death will we part.”
Laughing with my cry, I hold out my hand. The man burns my promise into my finger while I look at the only boy I’ve ever loved. I say what feels important to promise to him.
“I will always be honest, and I will always support you. I vow to be an honorable wife, and I will never stop loving you…only you. I long to spend the rest of my life with you and whatever comes after.” I take in my friends, our freedom, and smile as my heart patters in my chest. “Not even in death will we part.”
1. Miracle—The Score
2. Way Down We Go—Kaleo
3. Glitter & Gold—Barns Courtney
4. Blackbird Song—Lee DeWyze
5. Heaven—Troye Sivan feat. Betty Who
6. Bartholomew—The Silent Comedy
7. Lovely—Billie Eilish
8. Blood//Water—Grandson
9. Hellfire—Barns Courtney
10. Lead Me Home—Jamie N. Commons
11. I Walk the Line—Halsey
12. Hurt—Johnny Cash
13. Demons—Imagine Dragons
14. Losing My Religion—R.E.M.
15. Human—Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
16. Broken Bones—Kaleo
17. Believe—Mumford & Sons
18. Burn Fast—Bryce Fox
www.encourage-cult-survivors.org
www.cult-escape.com/help
www.catalystcounselling.org.uk/about-catalyst.html
www.familiesagainstcultteachings.org/Support
I want thank my readers and fans in the Broken Babydolls. You guys always put a smile on my face and have accepted my weirdness with open arms. You support me on a daily basis. Those of you who have shared my books and posted your reviews have helped me in my success so much more than you realize. This is a hard business sometimes, but you guys are always there to remind me why I do this.
Kim BookJunkie, I am beyond grateful for everything you have done for me and this book. It would not be what it is without you. Your touch made it the best it could be. You were such an important part of this project and your enthusiasm just added to my excitement. You have really helped me with my confidence, and I am lucky to call you a friend. I am so happy that we have come into each other’s lives.
Maureen and Kathi from the Maureen and Kathi Read Blog and The Dark Angels. You guys have not only been an amazing support system and a huge help when I was completely lost, but you have also been incredible friends. You have been there for me, promoted me, given me the honesty I needed to make this book the best it could be, and so much more. I would not be where I am without you guys. Thank you for everything you have done for me.
Synclare Moss at Wickedly Sweet and Synful Book Blog. You were one of my first fans and have made me laugh and smile every step of the way. You have been not only an incredible support but an amazing friend. You are such a wonderful person and I grateful to have you in my life.
Ann R. Jones, Anja Scheidhauer, and Tricia Buttram at Dirty Little Secret Book Blog. Oh my gosh, talk about a hilarious group of women! It’s impossible not to be laughing when you guys are involved. You have not only supported me and my books every step of the way, but you have been great friends. I am so grateful that I met you!
My PA Elaine Kelly. Thank you for giving me a chance and sticking by me when I had no idea what I was doing. Thank you for reading for me, promoting for me, and being there for me. I truly appreciate all that you do.
To my Beta readers, Kim BookJunkie, Robin Craig, Kween Corie, Katrina Rains, and T.L. Martin. You guys do not have an easy job, but I appreciate all your help. You guys are an incredible support system and amazing friends. This story wouldn’t be what it is without you.
All the authors that have given me support, done guest spots, allowed me in their groups, and promoted me. I am so lucky to have incredible women like you in my corner. I love that we can bring each other up instead of compete against each other—there is something amazing in that. The only reason I don’t list you by name is the fear of leaving someone out. There are just so many of you, and you know who you are.
To my editor, Joanne La Re Thompson. Thank you for all your help in everything, not just edits. You were one of the first people to really help me out, and I will never forget that. You not only help my stories look pretty, but you give me guidance and are a huge support for me. These books are possible in part, because of you.
Jay Aheer from Simply Defined Art. Thank you for your unicorn magic and making this cover more stunning and perfect than I could have ever dreamed.
Stacey Blake from Champagne formats. Your work never ceases to amaze me. It is truly beautiful, and I am so grateful to you for making my books so beautiful!
Megan Gunter from Mischievous Designs, your teasers are incredible. Thank you for all the help you’ve given me and the impeccable work you’ve done.
All the blogs that have shared my books, reviewed, or promoted me. I know there are a lot of books out there, so it means a lot when you choose mine. Thank you.
Last, but not least, thank you to my husband for supporting me in following my dream. None of this would have happened without you.
Anointed
The Sweet Treats Trilogy
Candy Coated Chaos
Sweetened Suffering
Cupcakes and Crooked Spoons
Charity B. lives in Wichita Kansas with her husband and ornery little boy. The Sweet Treats Trilogy was her debut series and she is constantly preparing for her next release. She has always loved to read and write, but began her love affair with dark romance when she read C.J. Robert’s The Dark Duet. She has a passion for the disturbing and sexy and wants nothing more than to give her readers the ultimate book hangover. In her spare time when she’s not chasing her son, she enjoys reading, the occasional TV show binge, and is deeply inspired by music.
