Looking at her was like falling in love all over again.
And hours later, when Caelian finally stirred, the jagged cut of the Moonfall Peaks was within sight.
It was almostevening by the time they dismounted Odryss and made their way up the path toward House Celestine. Kjeld had debated landing the dragon in the mountains, considering the dens were still there, but he didn’t know the current conditions,and he definitely didn’t want to put Odryss in a situation where he might be in a fight for his life. Even if the dark magic that originally attacked the nest had been defeated, that didn’t mean it wasn’t capable of returning. Especially if Queen Elowyn was to blame.
Hand in hand, he and Caelian walked past the elaborate gardens overflowing with lush greenery and an abundance of blooming flowers. A cascading fountain stood further up ahead, its shimmery, iridescent water tinkling like bells as the majestic entrance of House Celestine absorbed the background. Kjeld had almost forgotten how impressive it was, with its spires and stairs, its balconies and observatory, its teal and navy walls shimmering like it was drenched with starlight. House Celestine seemed to glow from within, a palace of intimidation and grandeur at its finest.
Beside him, Caelian stumbled.
Kjeld drew her close, capturing her chin so he could tilt her face up to his in the wash of violet light. “What’s wrong?”
They were no longer in the Myrkwild, so Caelian could alter her truth if she wanted, though part of him clung to the idea of shared honesty between them.
“I’m nervous.” She glanced down at her attire, at her softly spun skirts, her embroidered blouse, her simple leather slippers. “I’m not at all appropriately dressed for the evening. It’s nearly dinner, I should be in a silk gown with ornate jewels. Or worse, what if everyone is at a ball and they expect us to attend? I don’t want to wear stuffy layers of satin, or gloves, or shoes that pinch my toes.”
Tiny red splotches appeared on her neck, and she clawed the skin there out of habit, as though she was accustomed to suffocating.
Kjeld grabbed both of her wrists, snapping her attention back to him. He planted a kiss on each one of her knuckles andwhispered, “You are exactly as you should be. Perfect. Radiant. Incandescent.”
“Right.” She blew out a breath. “Thank you.”
Caelian clutched at his muscled arm and lifted her chin in a show of confidence. “Do you think they know we’re here?”
No sooner had she spoken the words than the carved wooden doors of House Celestine groaned open and a chaotic symphony of voices reached them. The Starstorms flooded out of the house, with Sarelle and Creslyn leading the way. Prince Aspen was nowhere to be seen, but Drake and Tovian strolled along behind them, talking easily with Solarius and Narissa. Novalise, who was very obviously with child, took her time, though Asher looked as though he wanted to scoop her up and carry her instead. Nyxian stalked toward them with his hands shoved in his pockets, looking as though he’d rather be anywhere else, while Ariesian followed behind the noise, as unwavering as ever.
“Cae!” Creslyn beamed at her twin, motioning for her to do a small twirl. Her matching gaze devoured her sister. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”
“She does!” Sarelle agreed, pulling Caelian into a fierce embrace. Holding her out at arm’s length, Sarelle inspected her sister from head to toe. “She looks rejuvenated. Refreshed. Like she found whatever she lost.”
“Or like maybe her magic returned,” Novalise added breathlessly, planting one hand on her swollen belly.
Nyxian scoffed, folding his arms over his chest as he lounged against a nearby tree. “If you ask me, she looks like she’s been well and thoroughly fucked.”
His silver eyes, the left one split by a shard of blue, cut to Kjeld in a menacing glare.
Before Kjeld had the chance to defend himself, Creslyn grabbed Caelian’s wrist. She inspected the ring on her finger, looked between both of them and shrieked, “You’re married!”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
It took approximately two hours for Caelian’s family to have a respectful discussion like grown adults and accept the fact that she and Kjeld were married. Not that they didn’t approve of him, exactly, but Ariesian was irritated by the lack of a formal announcement, though Caelian thought her eldest brother was most frustrated by the fact Kjeld had not made his intentions known. Nyxian boasted he was glad for it by claiming the sexual tension between her and Kjeld was downright overbearing at times, but he was miffed the rest of the evening, tossing about careless scowls and mocking smiles.
The only ones who seemed truly upset about the whole ordeal were Creslyn, Sarelle, and Novalise. For the simple fact that they’d been unable to attend the wedding.
“I should have been there,” Creslyn pouted, lounging on the chaise next to Sarelle. She crossed her legs, adjusting the beaded slit of her midnight silk gown. “You should not have recited your vows without any family present.”
Novalise snorted, scooping a bite of frosted cake into her mouth from the plate balancing daintily upon her belly. Narissa was perched beside her, also with a slice of cake, though hers remained untouched.
“You were married without us there to witness.” Novalise pointed her fork at Caelian. “Only your twin made the guest list.”
Creslyn huffed, pretending to inspect her nails. “It wasn’t done on purpose.”
“Mine was hardly done on purpose either,” Caelian countered, twisting the cotton hem of her skirt around one finger. “It just…happened.”
The cool press of Kjeld’s hand landed upon her shoulder, calming her, soothing her. Like a quiet reserve of strength. She glanced up at him, only to find that he wasn’t even looking at her. He stood behind the sofa where she sat, deep in conversation with Ariesian, Drake, and Solarius, yet had somehow sensed her mild distress. Caelian returned her attention to her sisters, and Kjeld gently squeezed her shoulder in a show of reassurance and affection.
“Tell us again about Wenfyre.” Sarelle leaned back on the chaise, tucking a lock of midnight blue hair behind her ear. “I find the idea of an enchanted forest most fascinating.”
Nyxian balanced the blade of a small leather-wrapped dagger on the center of his palm. “You would.”
