Page 66 of House of Darkness (The Fallen Star #1)

ESTRELLA

Iwaltzed into the heart of the once-empty room, spinning with my arms outstretched.

The raw brick walls now blossomed with vibrant paintings and flourishing plants.

Bright purples, greens, and blues swirled together in a kaleidoscope of color, fulfilling something deep within me.

Racks and mannequins filled the space in front of the cash register, while at the center stood a long wooden table, its surface etched with vines and stars—Roman’s personal touch.

Catina had chosen the perfect location. The design was ideal for women to learn skills and build incomes—a safe haven for those who had been caged to spread their wings, just like my sister and Charlotte. Just like me.

Everyone was here. Isabella and Charlotte stood behind the till, fiddling with the buttons, a necessary skill since Charlotte would be running the shop most of the time.

Enso and Sorin carried in the last chairs, while Catina rummaged through our filing cabinet, ensuring all our paperwork was in order.

Raz, Roman, and Solaris had helped me put the finishing touches throughout, and now it was complete.

People paused at the front of the shop, peering in with bated curiosity, but we were closed.

That would change tomorrow. Solaris and I scurried up the back stairs to Charlotte’s new apartment above the retail space, where we had trays prepared.

I picked up the tea set while Solaris carried the sandwiches.

By the time we returned, Roman was herding everyone to the table.

My handsome angel held the chair at the head of the table for me, and my sister settled into the seat on my right. This was our day, and we deserved the spotlight. I sat gratefully as he pushed me in.

I was elated. To bask in our accomplishment with my family was all I could ask for. Maybe it seemed inconsequential compared to everything else, but to me, it was everything.

“I wanted to thank you all for everything. I am so grateful. I don’t deserve you.” My eyes stung, and I couldn’t tell if it was joy, sadness, or something else entirely.

Solaris raised her glass, and everyone followed suit. “To my sister, who crawled out of hell and is taking all of us with her. May she continue to inspire us all.”

Cheers erupted in agreement. Seeing those I cared about looking at me with such love and joy for my accomplishment was enough to bring me to my knees.

After Solaris sat, Roman spoke, holding a small, wrapped box toward me. “To my tsarina, may I continue to bask in your light for eternity. Congratulations, my love.”

I smiled through my watery eyes. “I thought the table was my gift.”

“Can’t I give you two?” He kissed my temple and placed the box in my hands.

“Open it!” Isabella shouted.

I raised an eyebrow. “Can I assume you already know what it is?”

She laughed. “Of course! I wouldn’t let him get you a gift without my approval.”

Roman rolled his eyes, but I laughed and blew Isabella a kiss. Carefully, I unwrapped the box to reveal a necklace featuring a silver crescent moon with a diamond star clinging to its inner curve.

“Jewelry?” I squealed.

“Well, I thought I’d better find a gift that wouldn’t turn the entire house into a jungle,” he replied with a laugh. I stuck my tongue out at him.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, holding out the chain for Roman to help me put it on.

Almost deserving of that pretty neck, he responded as his nimble fingers clasped the necklace in place. My cheeks heated.

He kissed me. Are you ready?

Of course, my love. I stood beside him, intertwining my fingers with his.

“We have an announcement,” he said.

“Oh god, please don’t tell me you’re pregnant,” Sorin blurted.

I shot him a glare, even as Roman snorted. “No.”

“Oh thank god, we don’t need another Roman flying around,” Enso piped up, prompting laughter from the generals.

“No, though I’m sure you’d all be overjoyed if that were the case,” Roman snapped. He looked at me, his eyes burning with love so intensely that my heart nearly overflowed. I smiled and nodded back at him. Together, we could face anything.

“We’ve decided to ban the sale of acolytes.”

The table erupted into chaos and chatter.

“Are you insane? Do you remember what happened last time?” Catina leaped to her feet, her hands braced on the table.

“Our allies will drop like flies!” Sorin shouted.

“What will happen to the acolytes? They’ll be thrown into the streets!” Solaris practically yelled. I looked at her in mild surprise, not expecting her to oppose this.

“We will get through this as a family, just as we have through everything else. We are going to war for the freedom of all our people, and that includes the acolytes,” I declared.

My focus turned to Roman. We could accomplish anything as long as we were together. We had thought this through. I raised my glass and clinked it against his. I would follow him into the bowels of hell and out the other side.

“To setting the world ablaze, my love,” he said.

“To watching it burn,” I responded.

Then I downed my glass.