I turn back to Effa. “They seem to be settling in.”
She nods. “Yeah, they’re taking to touring well. They’re made for this life.Fort Afflictionis going places, and it’s all because of you.”
“Nah, they got where they are on their own merit.”
She smiles softly but doesn’t argue. After a beat, she glances toward the hallway. “Guess you’ll need to go and check over the lighting situation soon?”
I look up at the clock on the wall, calculating timing. “Yeah, I do… but actually, there’s something I need you to come and check out with me at the stage if you have a minute?”
She tilts her head, suspicion already dancing in her eyes. “You’ve been here, what… thirty seconds, and have already got something up your sleeve?”
I chuckle. “Tank kinda helped me out with it. But c’mon, it’s ready for you now.”
I glance at the other girls.
They all exchange knowing smiles.
And then, one by one, they stand.
Because they already know exactly what’s coming.
Chapter Twenty-Four
EFFA
We walk hand in hand toward the back of the stage, and there’s a flutter in my chest that feels suspiciously like nerves. The girls are giggling behind me, whispering in that conspiratorial tone that immediately makes me feel like I’ve missed a group chat. I sense I’m slightly out of my depth, as if everyone else has read the script except me.
“Okay… what’s going on here, guys?” I ask, narrowing my eyes playfully over my shoulder.
“You’ll see,” Alana sings sweetly.
Kaden lifts my hand and presses a slow, tender kiss to the back of it before releasing me and walking off toward the back of the stage. The gesture alone makes my pulse jump, and I raise a brow and let my body slump dramatically.
“What in Gaia’s name is going on here?” I mutter as he jogs, gingerly, because of his ribs, to the rear of the stage while the girls suddenly hustle me forward. They usher me up the small staircase to the stage itself, their hands at my back, their laughter barely contained. I take quick, careful steps, my heart beating faster with every movement.
The second my foot hits the main stage platform, I lift my gaze.
And I gasp.
Candles are placed in careful arcs across the floor, their flames flickering softly against the darkened stadium seating. Petals trail across the entire stage, like a path intentionally laid out, leading toward the center. But what truly makes me smile, what makes my chest swell in that ridiculous, childlike way, is the sight of cupcakes scattered among little rainbow boxes.
It’s whimsical.
It’s romantic.
It’s completely, undeniably me.
Kristy gives my back a gentle shove, and I stumble forward into the middle of it all.
A spotlight ignites above me, bright and warm, bathing me in white light. The rest of the stadium falls into darkness except for the low golden shimmer of candlelight dancing around the stage.
My breath catches.
Excitement floods through me, effervescent and overwhelming, and when I look toward the back of the stage, I see him. Mercs is walking toward me slowly, a bouquet of daisies in one hand and a stuffed unicorn tucked under his arm.
I laugh softly, half convinced I’ve stepped into some surreal dream sequence that only exists in the part of my brain that thrives on romance novels and fantasy endings.
He looks… calm.
