“I’m happy…” she confessed.
“But?”
“With all the devastation, it feels selfish.”
I sighed. Her heart was the purest and most delicate thing I would ever possess.
Undoing her torn leathers, I took my time to count every cut, bruise, and minor scratch. While the bath filled, I traced my hands over her marked skin, pressing my lips to every blemish on her naked upper body.
“I know you won’t agree, so I’m going to be selfish for you,” I said, consuming her soft sighs. “You gave your life to this realm and every person within it. Twice. This time you’re mine, and I’m going to make sure your life is full of everything you ever desire. Happiness is a constant pursuit, not a final destination. But I swear to you, Astraea, I’m never letting you stray from the bright path you deserve.”
Her fingers threaded through my hair, coaxing my face to hers. She kissed me deeply and I burned for her.
“As long as you’re with me, I want to walk that path.”
The clouds of war would dissipate, and the hearts that bled would find stitches. It wouldn’t be easy nor quick, but we would find our way through the dark times together.
When Astraea stood naked in front of me, I couldn’t help my hands exploring the beautiful curves of her tenderly. She reached her delicate fingers to begin undoing the fastenings of my leathers. I wasn’t going to object; we were both in need of bathing and I didn’t plan to release her for a second tonight.
Once bathed, she wore a short silver silk nightgown and climbed into bed.
I lay beside her, folding a blanket over her bare legs. One hooked over me as I settled under with her.
“Do you want to hear a story?” I mumbled, idly playing with her damp hair.
Astraea hummed. “Is it a nice one?”
“It has a happy ending, I promise.”
Astraea smiled and I traced the creases around her mouth.
“Go on then,” she said, nestling further into me.
I took a long breath and cast my eyes to the bed canopy. I flooded her mind to make her see stars and all the constellations she loved.
“Once upon a time, there was a war between stars.”
End.
EPILOGUE
Astraea
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so nervous,” I remarked, running my fingers along the edges of Nyte’s coat.
He looked…gods,there were no words for how impeccably he stood. His jacket was a deep jet-black, tailored to perfection, with accents of rich purple tracing the lapels and cuffs. Silver filigree adorned the edges, intricate patterns that added an air of regality to his attire.
Draped over his shoulders was a ceremonial cloak, matching my own in its deep, velvety purple, the fabric heavy with tradition. It flowed behind him like liquid dusk, its hem embroidered with threads of silver that formed elegant, swirling designs resembling constellations.
Perched upon his head was a simple yet striking crown—a polished silver band rising to a peak at the center like a blade reaching skyward. It rested seamlessly over his sleek, black hair, its simplicity a testament to understated power and grace.
He stood with quiet authority, his presence commanding without need for flourish, a figure of poise and purpose wrapped in the colors of royalty and shadow.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous,” he said.
Today Rainyte Azreal Ashfyre would officially be crowned king consort of Vesitire, and I its queen.
Nyte held my hand as we stood out of view from the balcony where life roared beyond, waiting for us. He admired the ring he’d adorned my marital finger with nine months ago. A proud eight-pointed silver star with a purple diamond center. We waited to have our ceremony and join it for our coronation. After the war, healing and rebuilding had been our priority.
