Marlak always thought that the nymphs wanted to have their kingdom recognized, but instead, they wanted to go back into hiding. One thing I know is that they have better terms and a much better relationship with the Sea Court, which is nice.
To be honest, my only worry nowadays is Mirella. Ziven didn’t kiss her that day, even though she was healed, and instead went back to Krastel, where he assumed the crown. I don’t think it was easy for him, as the whispers we heard are that he had to be ruthless against his enemies. The idea sounds so absurd. Still, he promised to kiss Mirella in one year, and she’s been hanging on to that promise like her life depends on it.
I can’t imagine what she went through in her years on that island, but the wounds are still there. She can’t control her shifting very well, but she spends days as a bird, only to shift back when she receives letters from Ziven. I don’t know how she can see those letters from her bird’s eyes, all I know is that she shifts back and then becomes giddy and happy, running to her bedroom. She’s insanely, madly in love. With Ziven!
I tried to put some sense into her, encourage her to go to parties, meet people, but she’s obsessed. The worst is that she still has the innocent youth of someone who’s never even kissed. Marlak thinks it’s normal and that she’s in love, but I worry for her.
We’re now in Azur’s house, getting ready for the wedding, and Mirella is obviously in her fae form. I’m not sure I’m imagining things, but I swear I can hear her heart from a distance, just because Ziven was invited. Ziven, Ziven, Ziven. It’s all she thinks about. The worst is that he might not even show up, and then she’ll have a broken heart on top of everything.
I’m wearing a purple dress made by Irene, the most famous seamstress from the fae lands, even if she’s not the best. Lidiane rarely creates clothes for others anymore, but she’s been working on magic garments. Still, I heard she made her ownwedding dress, and I can’t wait to see it. Marlak is wearing a shirt and pants, and we’re both wearing our crowns, since this is an official ceremony.
Tarlia and Mirella are wearing dresses made by Irene. Tarlia’s burgundy gown has a voluminous skirt, in human style, while Renel wears a navy suit. They are such a stunning couple, especially when they look at each other and their eyes shine.
Mirella is wearing a silver dress that makes her look even younger and more innocent. I know she was a brat when she was a child, but I still think she’s innocent. Perhaps she reminds me of myself when I was younger—minus the brat part, of course.
We walk to the beach where they’ll hold the ceremony. The castle is white and stands at the corner, and the sand strip is ultra wide with the low tide of night. Only lightstones illuminate the sand, and I wonder if they avoided fire because of Marlak.
We stand at the edge of a circular dais, waiting for Lidiane and Azur to come in. Mirella takes a walk with Tarlia and Renel, and Marlak hugs me from behind.
I say, “I can’t wait to see her dress.”
“I bet it’s going to be incredible.” He chuckles. “I’m so happy for her, and you know what? She’s dressing a queen.”
“Like she wanted. I doubt there will ever be a bride more beautiful than she.”
“No. Now I’ll have to disagree.”
“Why?”
“Nobody will ever match you.”
That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, and I laugh. “In an ugly wool dress? Really?”
He hugs me tighter. “You were luminous and beautiful. Your hair was black for the first time, and it accentuated your face. And then the dress was so tight on your breasts. You were so sexy that I wanted to rip it off you and make love to you there and then.”
“Oh. That’s… I don’t know if it’s flattering or perverted. And you said you wouldn’t touch me.”
He kisses my cheek. “Of course I did. You were trembling. I thought you had a secret plan to torture me with desire, but I also thought that maybe you were forced into that role. You were so scared. Scared of me, of course, which was disturbing at the time, but I still wanted to protect you.”
“Your words were helpful and put me at ease that day. Still, I think about our coronation as our wedding, you know? With friends, and we were in love.”
“They were both important moments.”
Mirella returns, giddy and excited. “I heard there were human carriages on the way.”
I sigh. What am I going to do when Ziven breaks her heart? Marlak insists he didn’t kiss her because he was being honorable, butZivenandhonorableare two words that simply don’t fit in one sentence. I think Marlak believes Ziven is just like him, and he’s not.
I look at the guests and see fae from many courts. The Court of Bees princess passes by, holding her friend’s hand. Or more than friend. The girls smile and wave. There are a few people from the Nether Court, and I recognize them because of the horns. Some of them have blue skin too. It explains why Azur wears a hat all the time, as if he’s ashamed that he had his horns cut when he was young.
The Sea Court sent many guards and honorable guests, all of them wearing breathing tubes, but we haven’t seen the king yet. I’m thinking he might enter with Lidiane.
“You know what I keep thinking?” Marlak asks.
“How should I guess?”
“Ferer and Lidiane’s parents. She was a land fae, and he was a sea fae.”
Where is he going with this? “Yes, and?”
