It was groundbreaking, unlike anything she had ever seen before. The way the fabric was gathered and draped and stitched…Every time Ximena moved it looked like a waterfall cascading, and it caught the eye.
Sonya looked up at Azam, mouth agape. ‘That day by the lake,’ she breathed, realizing.
Azam smiled. ‘Yes. You could say I was inspired.’
Ximena’s husband twirled her as they made it to the front of the ballroom. Ximena grinned as he pulled her into his arms. They both looked so happy. The music swelled, and suddenly, Sonya was overwhelmed with joy and longing. She wanted this—to have what Ximena and her husband had.
She glanced over at Azam and was struck by the overwhelming realization that she loved him. Her heart squeezed painfully, and then it was like she could finally breathe, like swimming up to shore after being underwater, gulping in fresh air.
The truth had been so obvious all along! She loved him!
She could so easily imagine being married to him, building a life with him. Suddenly, there was nothing she wanted more than to be his; for him to be hers, forever.
Sonya pressed a hand to her chest, catching her breath. ‘The dress,’ she sputtered, losing her nerve. ‘It’s magnificent.’
Azam smiled. ‘I am glad she is happy. I put a dash of magic in there, too, so she wouldn’t be stressed. I wish for her to enjoy today.’ Then Azam’s gaze softened. ‘I wish for us to enjoy today, too,’ he said.
‘I already am,’ she replied, with a smile.
It was time for them to take their seats for the banquet, and theguests dispersed. Sonya and Azam were seated at a table at the back of the huge room.
After everyone sat down, there was a speech from Ximena’s father, thanking the guests for attending; then a speech from the groom’s sister, wishing the happy couple the best. There were a few fun performances: a shepherd-witch with a group of goats jumping through a course; then a garden-witch made vines spread across the ceiling, flowers blooming before everyone’s eyes, white petals showering down; and last, a quill-witch recited a beautiful poem that moved Sonya to tears.
She didn’t know what it was about this wedding, but she couldn’t get a grasp on her emotions.
Azam caught her crying, and a crease appeared between his brows. ‘What is it?’ he asked, voice low. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘It’s just…they’re so happy,’ Sonya said. She finished with a little laugh, blinking, but a few tears escaped, nonetheless.
Azam pulled his handkerchief from his pocket, gently wiping her cheeks. She released a shaking breath, closing her eyes. She was filled with a longing to throw her arms around him, but she knew that wasn’t how these things worked.
But surely societal rules didn’t matter, not in the face of what she felt for him?
He had to feel it too. She hadn’t imagined all those moments between them, and not just desire, his hands lingering on her thighs, his gaze skipping to her lips behind the waterfall. Moments flashed through her mind, moments big and small, magical and mundane, leading all the way back to that first night: him holding out his hand for her in the rain as he saved her in so many different ways.
As if he could sense her thoughts, he offered her his hand again, and she took it. He entwined their fingers, and warmth spread through her.
Then, the courses of food were brought out, along with drinks. They had a bright spring salad made of asparagus, toasted pistachios, greens, and radishes, topped with a basil-lemon dressing along with a ginger mint drink, sharp and fizzy. Then came slices of bread with creamy goat cheese and sweet slices of peach, a cold green pea soup, and roasted lamb glistening with herby butter, along with a cucumber and lime juice, fresh and sour.
Everything was divine, spectacularly made by no doubt an entire team of kitchen-witches. After lunch, the cake was brought out; it was blueberry and white chocolate. Ximena and Kellan sliced it together, feeding each other. Kellan kissed Ximena’s fingers, licking the icing off, and Sonya had to look away.
But it only made her look at Azam. If he was in a room, it was impossible not to look at him.
She suspected that she had loved him for some time, but it had just become startlingly clear to her now, in a way that left no room for doubt.
Sheneededto tell him the truth about everything.
She didn’t want to hurt him, and surely finding out that she had deceived him would hurt. But she couldn’t lie to him any longer. Fear bounded through her, but then she remembered Winnie’s advice.
Be brave.
Sonya turned to Azam just as he stood up.
He offered her his hand. ‘May I have this dance?’
22
The music started, sharp and sweet, the notes of the violin carrying throughout the ballroom. Caden’s lessons came in handy as they danced, Azam leading, Sonya letting him take charge.
