“I am staying with you. There is nowhere else I need to be. We are going to Myrwood together.” His lips found mine again.
For a moment, I almost protested, but instead, I let myself settle in his words—in the promise of another tomorrow.
“I love you.” I ran my hand down his chest, his silver eyes caught mine.
“You have my love always.”
I examined a perfect, pale purple rose in the garden as I waited for Lioran to be done with his council meeting. Their scentlingered heavier than before. I heard every blade of grass sway, the call of doves in the distance.
Lythira’s melody hummed through my veins. Each day since the bargain, something shifted and settled deeper within me. Today, I was weaker than the day before, but the sun’s glow radiated over me—its warmth a sweet embrace.
“I thought I might find you here.” Lioran’s voice brushed over me, his hand resting on my shoulder. “I have a surprise for you, but you need to get ready for it. Juniper is in your chambers waiting for you.” A sweet grin spread across his face. “Go ahead. I’ll see you later.” He raised my hand to his lips and brushed my skin with a gentle kiss.
I turned to look back at him before I stepped back inside the castle. His curls blew free in the wind, his eyes softened as they caught mine. He was lighter and almost joyful. I held the arch door frame, taking him in before heading inside.
He planned something just for us, my heart thundered as my mind raced wondering what it could be.
An opulent emerald gown lay on the bed. The silk was more magnificent than any fabric I had ever worn. Pink roses and leaves were embroidered into the fabric.
“The prince had it made for you. He sent word to our best seamstress before you returned from Nythrel. Do you like it?”
“Yes, I love it. It’s beautiful.” It was fit for fae royalty. She removed my simple gown and tugged the other over me. The sleeves hung low past my fingertips. I braced myself for the pull of ribbons. The dress was already tight.
“You look radiant in it,” she softly mused.
“But the corset…”
Juniper giggled. “The prince had specific instructions for the design—no corset.” I breathed freely, feeling the lightweight gown sway with my body as I moved.
He had thought of everything.
“Do you know what the surprise is?” I asked as my hands gripped the sleeves, playing with the flowing fabric.
She nodded. “I do, but I promised I wouldn’t ruin it, only prepare you for it.”
My smile flowed freely. Tonight, we would just exist, together. The bargain, his promise to his parents—it would all wait another day. Juniper twisted half of my hair back, leaving a cascade of loose, chocolate waves trickling down the open back of the dress. She placed a circlet of golden leaves on my head.
“He will be waiting for you in the garden.”
“Thank you, Juniper.”
Joy flooded me. The gown flowed freely behind me as I took in the ivy that cascaded over the castle halls—each step I took led me closer to him.
The sun dipped near the horizon, hues of pinks dancing with blue in the sky. Lioran stood in the center of the courtyard, dressed in a matching, satin emerald tunic. His back to me.
“Will you tell me what you’ve planned now?” He turned around with my words. His silver eyes sparkled, catching fragments of light.
His chest trembled with his exhale and tears pooled in his eyes. “You look stunning.”
“I hear you are to thank for that.” I reached out to touch him, but I pulled back in case others were watching. He pulled me in toward him, his hands wrapped confidently around me as his lips brushed over mine.
“What if someone sees us?”
His shoulders settled back, his chin raised high. “Let them,” he said.
For a moment, he was himself again, and I was still me—despite the bargain. The weight of it still pinned me down, but my heart was free.
He paused and inhaled deeply. My hands settled in his palms. “I’m grateful you crossed the divide.” He stumbled over his words for a moment, his eyes filled with tears.
