Thunderous silence filled the air. Jacob knew we were outnumbered and the odds were against our favor. So, he did not dare to make the first move. Boyt peered at me and smiled.

"The ceremony is waiting for us, my dear. Even the consummation chamber was prepared as well. We should head back," he told me.

I gawked at him at the mention of the consummation chamber. "I already told you that I refuse to marry you. Would you please just let us go?!"

"I could not do that. You see, I won our bet. You weren't able to take the ring off your finger," Boyt replied and smirked.

After hearing that, I immediately checked on Jacob to locate his dagger. When I saw where it was, I took it and aimed it on my ring finger. "Fine! I'll cut my finger off!" I declared. It was my last resort. I only LOVE Jacob!

Jacob immediately took hold of my wrist to stop me. Boyt's eyes widened in surprise. I was determined though and pulled my wrist from Jacob's hold but he won't let go. Jacob hissed then turned to Boyt.

"She's already spoken for," Jacob told Boyt.

There was an awkward silence before Boyt laughed heartily in response. Jacob and I looked at each other confused. When Boyt was done, he looked at us.

"You should've just told me that you were already spoken for?" Boyt said at last.

Jacob and I stared at him more confused than ever. "What do you mean?" we asked in perfect sync.

"The only reason I wanted to marry her is so she could leave the place," he said. "You see Ezekra won't let her leave until she gets married."

"What?!" Jacob and I said at the same time again.

"Marriage is the way out of here," Boyt responded.

"Marriage?!" I asked. My voice was getting louder.

"Yes, every woman that Ezekra swallowed must marry if she wants to leave the place," Boyt explained.

"Why? That does not make sense!" I said.

Boyt shrugged, "That's the portal's rule. So if you want to leave Palavana, you have to get married."

"But, you talked about the consummation chamber?" Jacob asked. I rolled my eyes. Of all the questions to ask, he had to ask that.

Boyt nodded unfazed, "Uh huh… marriage is not marriage until it is consummated, after all."

Jacob scoffed, "So, you were planning to touch her if I had not been here on time?!"

Boyt shook his head, "Not really. Just staying for the whole night in the consummation chamber will be convincing enough for Ezekra to release her. But since you're here..." he motioned to Jacob. "...please do the honors. I would like this matter to be settled at once so Palavana could go back to its normal business as usual."

"What?!" I asked again!

Boyt frowned. He was obviously getting tired explaining. "Would you rather have him or me to marry you?" he asked me directly.

Jacob turned to me and crossed his arms, "Well?"

I rolled my eyes, "What do you mean 'well'? Of course, I choose you. I'll always choose you! But marriage?! Right now?! Marriage is a big deal! Marriage is not just something that you take lightly!"

Boyt sighed again, "This marriage is only valid here in Palavana. Once you go back to where you belong, you are still unmarried."

"It's the only way for the both of you to go back. Get married and spend a night in the consummation chamber or stay here forever?" Boyt explained.

My blood went up my head after hearing that. I would be alone with Jacob for the entire night in a consummation chamber! Yes, I had been alone with him for some nights now. First, at Beckforth in the wagon. Second, in his room but I was drunk. Third, in my room but I was sick. But now!

The truth suddenly dawned on me. My heart began to race at a rapid speed. My train of thoughts began to wander on things that might possibly happen inside that chamber. I already admitted to myself that I was getting addicted to his kisses and touches. And I readily submit to his advances. But, what if he wanted more?

I looked at him. His arms were still crossed. He was still waiting for my response, "Should I kneel down to ask you to marry me in pretense so we could go back?" Jacob uncrossed his arms and was about to kneel down.

I stopped him, "No… you don't have to. I guess I was just overreacting. Alright, let's do this."

Boyt clapped his hands. "Now that that's settled. Let's go on with the ceremony. Would someone please dress this man up for the occasion?"

It took about an hour to finish the groom and bride's preparation before the PRETEND wedding began. Yes, I walked down the aisle just like in a traditional wedding. All eyes were on me. At first, I was a bit apprehensive about the whole marriage idea. But then I saw him. He was a vision in white and gold! Jacob was beyond regal! His black eyes never left me for a second as I walked towards him.

At that moment, all of my apprehensions… all of my doubts… all of my fears vanished. At that moment, I finally realized that this person is the one I wanted this whole time. Jacob is the one I like to spend the rest of my life with. I smiled at him and he smiled back. The wedding might have been a pretense but what I felt was not.

Jacob held my hands when I reached him. His eyes were still not leaving my face. I saw Boyt smirked at the corner of my eye. He was officiating the wedding since he was the Prime Minister.

"Do you take this man to be your husband, to have and to hold, 'til your dying breath?" Boyt asked me.

I smiled at Jacob, "I do."

"Do you take this woman to be your wife, to have and to hold, 'til your dying breath?" Boyt asked Jacob.

Jacob did not take his eyes off of me. He squeezed my hands tighter, "Always… I do."

"By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of Palavana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Remember, your marriage is only valid here in Palavana… null and void elsewhere. You may kiss the bride," he proclaimed. All the crowd cheered.

Jacob pulled me by the waist. I giggled as he chuckled. Then, we fervently kissed!