“It’s been a great wedding,” she said. “I’m very happy for both of you. Happiness like this is something we must never take for granted.”
Aw, fuck. I justknewshe was going to come in here with herend of the worldbullshit. This wasn’t the time or the place for her to issue some warning about our prophecy.
I kept my cool while I handed Ava her glass. Before my wife could say anything, I extended my hand in Maddie’s direction. “Would you like to dance?”
Maddie hesitated a moment, then said, “Yes. Thank you.”
“Have fun!” Ava called. She thought the gesture was innocent, but really, I was trying to get her aunt away from her, so she didn’t ruin Ava’s special night.
I guided Maddie onto the dance floor, and we began to spin in slow circles. Nearby, Marcus and Kallie’s soft voices drifted over the ballroom. They’d been hanging on each other all night and hadn’t been apart all evening. I thought something like this would trigger them, but they were laughing, and seemed perfectly fine.
I’d broken their bond. But to be honest, I wasn’t sure if things were completely over between them yet. They still acted like there was something there, especially at this wedding. The two of them were behaving like a couple, dancing together and whispering softly, though they’d both promised me they were just friends.
I supposed we’d see.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Charlie,” Maddie said.
“You didn’t come here to congratulate me,” I said coldly. “You came to give me another warning.”
“I could try, but it wouldn’t do any good, would it?” Maddie replied in an equally cool manner. “You’ve made your choice already, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”
“No,” I told her as we stiffly swayed. “I decide the fate of my prophecy, so it’s already done. I don’t care if the evidence proves otherwise. Ava and I have already won. Wewilldefeat the Warden.”
“I cannot change your mind, but I will leave you with this,” Maddie said. “Don’t lie to yourself, Charlie. If that is the way you truly feel, then so be it. But don’t let your confidence overshadowwhat you know to be true. Eventually, the truths you are hiding from yourself will come to light. You can’t run from that.”
I tilted my head. “Why would I run from something I’m not afraid of?”
“Because youshouldbe afraid of it, Charlie,” Maddie responded hollowly. “We all should.”
I was grateful that the song ended then. An upbeat melody came on, and Kallie rushed to my side in an instant.
“Charlie, comedancewith me,” Kallie begged, dragging me away. “Marcus is being a limp dick and went to get cake.”
I didn’t afford Maddie so much as a goodbye. I think she got the message.
I spun Kallie around, and she laughed gleefully. “You and Marcus seem to be having a good time,” I called over the music.
She leaned in and said, “We’re having thebesttime.”
Unexpectedly, she reached out to give me a hug. “Thank youso muchfor breaking our bond. Marcus and I have never been better. We’re such good friends now that there’s no romantic pressure hanging over our heads. We can actually have deep conversations without fighting.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I told her, though I wasn’t sure I was completely buying it.
“I didn’t think our friendship would survive after the bond broke, but we actually get along now,” she confessed. “You cleared the air so we could start from scratch. It really did set us free.”
“I’m happy for you guys,” I said honestly. “I just want what’s best for you two.”
Ava joined us again, and Kallie dropped it. We danced with our friends for hours, and time seemed to fly by. In the distance, we heard a clock tower strike midnight, and still, we continued spinning across the dance floor and laughing until we couldn’t breathe. Several guests came by to greet and congratulate us,saying goodbye before they retreated to their quarters, but most stayed to drink, dance, and celebrate.
It must’ve been past two in the morning when Alistair snatched the microphone from the DJ booth. “As the night wears down, we have a special grand finale performance for the bride and groom. Folks, put your hands together for Ivy and Jonah!”
Ava squealed. “Oh my ancestors! This is going to beepic!”
Eddie rushed to my side with a chair and forced me into it. Ava and I sat in the center of the dance floor while a pumping bass shook the entire ballroom. An explosion sounded, and streamers and confetti rained down on my head. An old Lady Gaga song burst through the speakers, and Ivy’s beautiful singing voice filled the room. The crowd cheered, though Ava’s voice was the loudest.
Ivy’s heels clicked against the marble floor as they strutted forward. They stopped directly in front of us, then tickled me under the chin with a feather boa. Ivy circled us, and Ava whistled loudly.
“That dress is sexy asfuck, Ivy!” she cheered.
