Page 94 of Riot
FORTY-EIGHT
Standing on the dark stage, I grin as I soak in the fans chanting and screaming for us. They don’t know we’re already here, watching and waiting. We’re the last acts to perform. Fallon and I prepared this concert, and all money raised will go to those affected by childhood sexual abuse. It’s been a huge success. The music industry has called it the concert of the year, maybe even the century. With so many big names, we had to expand the venue to this one, the largest in the country.
There are the Dead Ringers, Reign Harrow, Will Rock, and so many more names, including the smaller bands we handpicked like Sanctuary and Willows. It’s been a day of music and enjoying the sun, but now the moon is high in the sky and the anticipation is astronomical.
Looking over at Fallon, I smile, and she winks at me just as the lights come on.
The crowd goes wild, and Fallon’s crooning voice fills the air as I watch her, awestruck just as I always am. She captivates the crowd of thousands here and the millions streaming from home. Her blue gown flows behind her as she walks farther onto the stage, performing one of our new songs, and when the guitar shreds, I lift my mic and sing with her. I catch up to her so we are side by side, staring at one another as we sing our wedding vows.
This is what this song is—our promise to love one another no matter what storm arises.
“Not even death could part us,” we finish, both panting.
Licking her lips, she turns to the crowd. “Are we having a good time?” They go wild as she grins. “I know I am. We’ve had some incredible performances tonight, and as you know, it’s all for a good cause. Tonight is for everyone who has been affected and for every voice that was silenced or stolen.”
I step back as she stands before the mic, one single light falling on her, creating a halo as she performs her new song. “Sun Rising” is a raw ballad, one of struggles, hope, and suffering. It details hers and every survivor’s battle, and when it ends, she isn’t the only one crying.
I don’t bother to wipe away my tears. I let everyone see them as she holds out her hand to me, and I stride forward to her side, gripping her hand as I kiss her cheek softly. I am prouder of her than I have ever been.
“How about one more song?” I call into the mic. “This one, well, it’s a new one and not yet released. We know you’re going to love it. It’s our story. It’s our love, our past, present, and future. It’s also our protest to this world, our riot. We hope you like it.”
We perform it just like that, our eyes on one another, filled with love. It might not be what my fans are used to, but I know they will adore it like I do because it’s real, raw, and loving.
I take her hand, and the fans scream as our voices trail off. I lift our clasped hands into the air, showing off our matching wedding bands before I tug her into my arms and dip her in a dramatic kiss, tasting her happiness and laughter.
They didn’t get to see our wedding. It was a private affair just for friends, a bohemian meets rock ceremony held behind our houses where we swore our love to one another forever. I wasn’t joking when I said I wanted to marry her as quickly as possible, and she looked stunning in her hand-stitched dahlia gown I had made, matching my suit and the flowers overfilling our house and garden.
I know the pictures are up on the screen behind us, telling the world and our fans, and if the ear-shattering screams are any indication, then they are as happy as we are.
Pulling away slightly, I look into her bright eyes.
“My ice queen.”
She grins. “My rock star.”
Then, for the world to see, I kiss her once more, claiming my wife.
My Fallon.
My entire world.
FORTY-NINE
Ican hear the TV from where I’m sitting, and for a moment, I focus on the words the news is spreading.
“The music industry is once again exploding today as one of the biggest tours to ever be announced sells out within seconds. Fallon and Kage have teamed up for a new album, and the world knows by now that you can’t separate the iconic duo. Where one goes, the other follows. The newly wed pair are a match made in heaven, even if they are total opposites, and who can forget that moment when Kage took a blade meant for his love? Fallon and Kage are no strangers to press. Just this year alone, they have been the faces of the battle against those who abused so many children during the infamous rock parties in the 90s, and just recently, they won. Every single person involved has been charged, with companies crumbling and legacies ruined. The names of her father and his bandmates have been removed from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, replaced by Fallon’s after she was given the woman of the year award. As for Westie, who you may remember attacked both Fallon and Kage, he is serving a life sentence. It seems justice has been served, and now Fallon and Kage are ready to claim the world. Can anyone top this unstoppable pair? We don’t think so. Stay tuned for all your updates on the world’s favorite coup—” It cuts out, and I smile as I run my fingers over the keys of my piano.
I recently moved it to the greenhouse Kage had built for me. It was his wedding present. It connects to the back of our house—yes, ours, because Kage decided to build another house between them and make it one giant mansion while we were on our honeymoon. Still, this is my favorite part. Glass surrounds me on every side, only interrupted by the black framing. Blue-and-purple stained-glass butterflies hang from the ceiling, dancing in the wind. Dahlias cover nearly every inch of it apart from my piano in the center.
Rain slides down the glass panes, the pattering relaxing my soul as I play and hum along to a new song I’m writing.
It’s a love song.
All of them are like that now.
When I’m done, I feel him behind me, and he slides onto the bench next to me, his hand finding my back. He’s always touching me and connecting in some way. He was bad before, but since we got married, there is no longer an inch of space between us, and I like it.
Ice yawns, stretching out on top of my piano as I grin and kiss her head before playing the keys.