She was dressed in a gold dress that practically glittered, her dark hair up in some sort of regal twist, her eyes impossibly blue and wearing a crown on her head.

Like she might be marrying a prince.

He looked at her and pressed his hand to his mouth.

“Are you okay?” She stepped out from the chapel, put her hand on his arm.

He shook his head. “I…”

“He’ll be okay,” Roy said and clamped a hand on him. “You go inside with Ziggy. He’ll be there in a minute.”

“No. No more secrets.” She looked at Ziggy. “What did you find out on your top-secret mission that isn’t top secret, York.”

He stared at her. What?

“We don’t know who put the hit out on York, but it’s being fulfilled by a group called the Orphans. It’s a…”

“It’s a murder squad,” Roy said. “Lethal, and unrelenting.”

York looked at her. “RJ —”

“Okay. Everybody inside.” She looked at York. “We’re having words.”

Roy looked at Ziggy, then shrugged.

She walked up to him. “I’m wearing heels. And a gold dress. And makeup.”

“You look…”

“I’m freakin’ breathtaking.”

He stared at her, and something in his chest just…released. “Yes, yes you are.”

“So what, what are you going to do about it?”

He blinked at her.

“We’re not going backwards, York. We’ve come so far—and enough with the secrets. I know about the bounty. I know there’s trouble. But I was standing in there, talking to Emmanuel, thinking you’d left me, and you know what he did?”

“Told you that probably you shouldn’t marry me?”

“Please. He read the psalms. Aloud. The Lord is near to all who call upon them. He will fulfill the desires of those who fear him. He will also hear their cry and will save them.” She put her hand on his chest. “The Lord keeps all those who love him.”

He swallowed.

“York. This entire time, we forgot that God is with us. He has not abandoned us. And he won’t abandon us. I know God will fight for us, even if we don’t ask him, but how much more will he come to our aid when we are kneeled, together, as one, depending on him?”

She touched his face. “A cord of three strands can’t be broken. So get in this chapel and marry me so we can join forces and fight this, with God.”

He breathed in her words, let them settle into his bones.

Join forces. Fight this, with God.

Her gaze burned into him. “Did I mention I’m wearing a tiara?”

He smiled. Touched her forehead with his. “You do look stunning.”

“Of course I do.” She took his hand. “Now, let’s take this again, from the top. I’ll meet you at the altar.”

She kissed his cheek and walked around the building to the front.