I stood frozen as he dropped to his knees. My vision narrowed to Vaeron alone like the rest of the world had ceased to exist. Our gazes collided like the lightning that had once snapped our bond into being.
As in that moment, I was blinded, the white coin of the moon swallowing everything under its guise.
“Whatever happens at the trial, I don’t want anyone todoubt that you are mine. That I will protect you no matter the cost.”
An edge of steel sliced through the velvet of his voice.
Why does it feel like he’s saying goodbye?
Through our connection, a heady mix of rage and fear formed like an oncoming tempest.
“I want you to have something that Iaoth and Stadiel cannot take.”
He popped open the box, revealing a pale blue stone, elongated with countless facets. Each one reflected a different sliver of pale light. Diamonds in an intricate array surrounded it, and carved into the thick band was the sigil of House Räviel.
“You are mine, Sylaira. My little fugitive. Mind, body, soul. Will you choose me now?”
I studied his face, carved by the Goddess herself. The desperation, the vulnerability, that leaked through the glacial color of his irises. The slight rise and fall of his chest, like he was bracing himself for another rejection.
“Promise me something.”
“Anything,” he swore.
“That you will not keep things from me again. I can’t survive another betrayal.” It was his omission about his betrothed that got us into this situation in the first place.
Something that looked a lot like guilt flashed across his face before he masked it—so fast that I thought I’d imagined it.
“I swear to you that from this day forth, I will not lie to you again.”
Tears turned him into a watercolor as I stretched out my hand. He grasped my fingers and slid the ring onto the middle one of my left hand. Then, he was on his feet, lips crashing against mine. I clutched his sides like he was the last thing anchoring me into this world.
“Goddess, I love you, Sylaira.”
“I love you, Vaeron.”I opened myself fully to him so he couldfeelthe weight of those words. Taste their truth.
Something fractured inside of him. His arms slid around my back, crushing me tighter. His tongue pressed against the seam of my lips, and I opened for him. The kiss turned brutal, claiming.
So very him.
A gong sounded, reverberating through the night. Drumbeats followed, pounding harder than my heart against my ribs. The chain binding us thrummed like it too knew the end was near.
With a growl, Vaeron broke away. White and black flashed at the edges of my vision.
Brows pinched, he stared down at me, tortured. Like this was the final moment we’d ever have alone together.
“It is time.”
59
Silence reigned between us as we descended from the treetop, like a held breath before the executioner’s blade fell. What a fitting night to hold the trial by light, with the Goddess Moon so bright in the sky.
In an hour, I’d face Zarethiel.
I’d humiliated his house. Shamed my sister and her husband. Commanded the Angel court. Commanded an entire room of Seers and servants the previous day too.
My sins stacked higher than the tallest trees in Sivy.
And I’d face the Goddess’s judgement for it all.
