She takes Daisy’s hands, not waiting for an introduction. “My dear, you look exquisite. Like you were made by my realm itself.”
Daisy blushes hard, lowering her head slightly. “Daisy, Your Highness. Future Queen of Hell.”
Sariya’s eyes sparkle like twin suns. “So this is the poor soul who gets shackled to Mr. Grumpy over here.”
I scowl as she grins at me. “I only joke, Korithax. Lighten up.” She laughs, a bell-like chime that makes the flowers in her large afro bloom in vibrant oranges and reds.
“Nice pun,” I deadpan, rolling my eyes.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of having the future King and Queen of Hell in my realm?” She asks, guiding us towards one of the stone benches that sits by her throne.
“We simply require your hospitality for a day or two while I restore my strength,” I reply, taking a seat by Daisy’s side.
Sariya tilts her head, her deep bronze skin shimmering with a golden glow under the rays of the sun. Her tight dark curls, streaked with glowing threads of yellow and rose gold, bounce around her haloed crown. More flowers tumble from her hair like confetti.
“You are travelling far, Prince.”
“Please, Sariya, I don’t wish to discuss it. I do, however, have a more… significant favour to ask, if you’ll allow it.”
Her smile softens, "Of course, I will. You and your beautiful queen are always welcome here. Just as your incredible mother was. I do miss her dearly.”
She places a delicate hand over her heart, golden bangles softly clinking against each other as she moves. Beside me, I feel Daisy stiffen. I glance at her, but she says nothing.
“I was wondering,” I begin, the words catching in my throat for a second. “If you would do us the honour of having us married here.”
Sariya blinks, her golden irises gleaming.
“You see,” I continue, turning to look at Daisy, who’s cast in sunlight so warm and soft she may as well be carved from it. “My bride is the embodiment of sunshine. Like a summer’s day born into a woman. I could think of no better place to make her my wife than in your kingdom.”
Daisy whips around to face me, blue eyes wide and stunned. The sunlight paints her in gold, her freckles like tiny kisses from the sun. For one brief second, I forget the anger. The pain. I only see her, my heart aching slightly at the sight.
Sariya squeals, clapping her hands. “Oh my suns, I would be honoured! I shall have my best staff begin preparations immediately. Oh, this will be wonderful!”
“Please,” I add quickly, dragging my gaze away from Daisy. “Something small. She gets shy.”
Sariya nods with understanding. “Of course. Now shoo! I’ll have a guard escort you to your room. I have a wedding to organise!”
She starts to call for a steward, but Daisy speaks up, voice soft.
“If it’s not too much to ask… could we have separate rooms?”
I freeze. That sentence felt like a fucking punch to the gut, all the air in my lungs depleting entirely.
“In my world,” she continues, her voice even but distant, “it’s traditional to have the bride and groom sleep apart the night before they get married.”
Sariya tilts her head with a small, graceful nod. “Of course, my dear. I will ensure you both have your own rooms.”
I clench my jaw so hard I’m pretty sure one of my teeth cracks. Tradition… sure. Or maybe she just doesn’t want to be near me. Not after what I said. Not after what I did. The burn in my chest intensifies, but I offer no protest. I simply nod as the guards arrive to escort us to our rooms—separate doors, separate wings.
I watch her enter her room, softly clicking the door behind her as she goes. I lower my head, continuing to my own room, feeling like a large part of me is suddenly missing. It feels like we’ve never been further apart.
Chapter 33
Daisy
Solara is… stunning.
And so is its queen. Sariya shimmered like her skin was made of molten gold, her golden eyes ringed with copper so warm they made me feel safe just looking at her. Her whole aura radiated kindness—soft and warm, the total opposite of what I felt in Aurora’s Veil. She wasn’t just royalty, she was divinity. You could feel it. You could tell the sun was born from her.
