Evander overheard and lifted his voice with a laugh. “Let the revel begin! The night waits for no one.” He kissed Amerei’s cheek in passing and whispered, “And if today’s shown me anything—Líri’s ladies are far too easily impressed.”
Amerei’s smile seemed to brighten the air itself.
The crowd drifted toward the meadow—toward firelight and food, music already strumming faintly beyond the trees. The warmth of celebration spilled from the arbor, leaving behind a hush, as if joy had gone on ahead and only wonder lingered in its wake.
And in that stillness, one figure remained.
“I am told you are beautiful, Princess.” The Midnight reached for her hand.
Viktor’s gaze never left her as he answered, voice low.
“Her beauty is the warmth of sunlight… the gentleness of rain.”
Amerei’s lips shaped the wordsI love youbefore she turned to The Midnight.
“Will you stay?”
He stepped back, his walking stick stuttering against the stone.
“Forgive me, Princess. I must go.”
He bowed, shadows swallowing him.
“May your union be blessed.”
Viktor watched as his brother vanish into the trees—so close, yet retreating as though claimed by the night itself.
Amerei lifted her chin slightly, coaxing him back to the moment.
His eyes softened.She is mine to follow now.
“How long should we wear this cord?” he asked, lifting their joined hands.
Her laugh was soft, unshaken. “Forever, of course.”
“Into battle?” His brow arched, voice rougher now. “On horseback? When I run, will you keep pace?”
“Everywhere,” she breathed. “I shall never leave your side.”
“Dask—you won’t,” he growled—and then he kissed her.
His hand cupped her face, the other fisting in the cord as he pulled her close, his mouth fierce and tender all at once. Gasps rippled through the arbor, laughter breaking on the edges, but Viktor didn’t care. He kissed her like a soldier starved of peace, like a man who had already burned for her once and would do so again.
When he finally drew back, her breath came unsteady, her smile luminous.
The cord slipped loose, but he caught it, winding it once around his fist before hooking it beside the dagger at his hip.
With a low sound that was half a laugh, half a warning, he let her tug him down the hill toward the meadow. Thousands of orbs adorned the trees, their glow mingling with the joyous souls beneath them—but Viktor’s warmth outshone them all.
Skins of wine and baskets of fruit passed among the crowd, music rising like wind through leaves as the meadow bloomed with celebration.
Amerei tapped Gabriel’s shoulder, her ring catching the moonlight.
“These rings… they’re more than beautiful, Gabriel. They feel like you’ve given us a piece of yourself.”
He accepted a glass from a servant, shrugging.
“Too long from the forge. I’d forgotten I missed it.”
