But there is one person I do need to tell, and I probably shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to do it—Nyx. Life has been so busy, and if I had told him sooner, he would have tried to find a way out of it. This way, he has no chance to stop it.
I will make him understand because Icannot stand the thought of hurting him again. We have both hurt each other enough already in this life.
“Do you know if Nyx is coming today? He said he wanted to stop by and talk to me before the ceremony,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual, though my heart races with anxiety.
“I’m not sure he’ll come. Don’t hate me, Lyra, but I may have told him to stay away. Forgive me, but I don’t want him ruining your day. He might still come—he rarely listens to me anyway—but if he does...be careful,” she says, her voice filled with concern.
I smooth my hands down my gown. “I understand. Come on, let’s not leave them in anticipation any longer,” I say, leading the way back to my sitting room.
As soon as we enter, Hollie’s eyes widen. “Oh my gods, Colton is going to lose it when he sees you!” she exclaims, bouncing on the couch before taking flight and circling around me in excitement.
“You look beautiful, Lyra,” Lili says softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Don’t cry,” I plead gently, a smile tugging at my lips. “You’re going to make me emotional, and I have a feeling if I ruin my makeup, Flora will kill me.” My attempt at humor earns a watery laugh from Lili, who wipes away a stray tear.
“Okay, I need to go get myself ready now. I can’t wait to see you out there,” Lili assures me, giving my hand a quick squeeze before leaving the room.
There’s a quick knock at the door, and we all turn our heads, my breath catching in my throat as I silently hope for Nyx to walk through next. Instead, Drew pokes her head around the door. “I heard this was the place to find the bride,” she says.
I smile, relief washing overme. “Yes, come look at what a beautiful bride she is,” Flora says, holding the door open wider for Drew.
“Hey, guys, can I talk to Drew alone for a bit?” I ask, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest. Flora nods with a warm smile.
“Of course, dear. I’ll come get you when it’s time for the ceremony to start. Come find me if you need anything, and don’t forget your shoes,” she says, as if I’d walk down the aisle barefoot.
“Thank you,” I reply, chuckling as she slips out of the room.
Hollie flits over to me, her tiny wings a blur. I extend my hand, and she lands gracefully. “You’re going to do great. Don’t be nervous,” she assures me, her smile bright and encouraging before she zips out of the room.
Chepi hops onto the bed and settles in for a nap.
“A formidable queen indeed,” Drew says, her red eyes full of admiration as she settles onto the couch.
“Thank you,” I say, feeling a warm rush of gratitude as I move to sit across from her in one of the chairs.
“I came from Colton’s chambers, and he had quite a lot to share,” Drew says, her tone still cryptic.
“Oh yeah?” I reply, keeping my face stoic. I know Colton planned to tell Drew everything, but in case he backed out, I don’t reveal anything.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this, you know,” she continues, her eyes distant with memories. I look down, unsure how to respond, wishing I had a drink in my hand to steady my nerves.
“I know you sought my guidance before, and I couldn’t give it. I’ve always tried to provide you with the tools to reach your own conclusions,” she pauses, her gaze drifting out the window as if lost in her own thoughts. “Eventually, you’ll understandwhy I couldn’t interfere, even when I desperately wanted to. But I believe you’re making the right choice, and I’m so grateful for you,” she says, her voice filled with genuine emotion.
It’s my turn to look away, gathering my thoughts, unsure of how to respond. “Grateful for me? Why?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper, wondering if we’re even discussing the same thing.
“I know the choice you made was not an easy one, and anyone who sacrifices the way you are will bring about great change. You will be a formidable queen, and I know you will use your dark magic to rule with compassion. Despite everything that has tried to harden your heart, you still thrive, you still remain kind, and that takes true strength,” she says, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that leaves me breathless.
I’ve always felt like I was falling through life, barely getting by. Some days, I even wished I wasn’t alive... If it weren’t for Chepi, I might not be. Samael made my life a living hell for many years, and my parents only added to the misery. I’ve never truly felt like I belonged anywhere, and I wandered aimlessly, not knowing my purpose.
Despite all of this, I’ve always been empathetic. I try to show kindness, to give others the benefit of the doubt, even after all the wrong that’s been done to me. Drew probably doesn’t realize how much her words mean to me, but I feel it deeply. Although I don’t need validation, it feels good to hear it. It’s a rare balm for my soul, a reminder that my efforts to do what’s right, even when it means my own suffering, have not gone unnoticed.
“I’m grateful for you too, more than you know. You were there for me when I needed someone, and I noticed the signs and the little pushes you gave me along the way. You gave me aplace to stay when I had nowhere else to go, and I’m grateful to know you,” I tell her, my voice thick with emotion. Her eyes soften, but before she can respond, we both sense it.
I smell him first, and a split second later, he appears. “King Onyx,” Drew says, rising to her feet. She pauses to look down at me, winks, and then she’s gone.
I clear my throat, standing up. “Nyx, I could have been naked or...gods know what, and you channel in here without knocking or anything. What the fuck?” I chide him, but inside I’m relieved and happy he’s here.
“Maybe that’s what I was hoping for,” he says, his gaze raking over me. I realize I’m in my wedding dress, and he’s seeing me for the first time in months.
