Page 130 of The Chains You Defy

Uneasiness paralyzed me as I was lost in my head, uncertain if I could reach the exit before divinity switched their attention from the fae prince—who could havewarned me about the minor detail of the gods’ potential presence—further to me.

This was the state I was in as Dion fished for my hand and tugged me to the altar, closer to the watchful eyes of the gods. Couldn’t he see that this was the last place I longed to be?

His gaze sought mine, gentle amethyst orbs staring into my cerulean ones, anchoring me in reality with their mere presence. Painting small circles on my hand with his thumb, I realized Dion had noticed my unraveled state and was attempting his best to keep me grounded. A fondness so deep crashed into my chest that I exhaled in surprise.

“Nayana.” But although he was steadying me, Dion’s voice sounded rough and shook a little.

“Dion?”

“On this night, I stand before you, heart and soul bared, with the Holy Triad as my judge and witness, fiercely wishing to prove my worth to you, to convince you that I can be everything you want, need, and more. In front of Kalag, I swear to keep all physical harm from you. In front of Immaru, I swear to protect your heart. And in front of fate, I swear always to shelter and nourish your soul. And so I ask you, under the gods’ watchful eyes, Nayana, will you accept my courtship and judge me on the journey of proving myself to you?”

Like earlier on the balcony, I was all over the place. Only this time, I was all over the place in front of the gods.

I couldn’t deny that I was moved deep within. So I didn’t even consider my reply but nodded. “Yes, Dion, I’ll accept your courtship and grant you the chance you desire.” Remembering my manners, I added, “And Iwant to thank the Holy Triad for witnessing and judging you worthy.”

The warm smile blossoming on Dion’s face had my stomach in knots. The way his lips shaped themselves resulted in something strikingly bright and beautiful, and he appeared as if an entire mountain had crumbled from his chest. And that was before I noticed his dimples. Oh, these dimples.

He lifted my right hand, and with even more reverence in his posture than he’d shown the gods, he brought his lips down, touching my skin with lingering fire in its wake. “I thank you, Nayana, for granting me this chance.”

All of a sudden, the whole crypt was painted in exploding hues of crimson, blue, and purple lights that shot through the small room, and a gasp escaped my lungs. As fast as the spectacle had occurred, the colors disappeared as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened—even the remnants of Dion’s blood on the altar had vanished, an archaic sacrifice to the most divine. The cut on his neck had already healed a while ago.

Shaking, I stared at the prince, who was still clinging to my hand. “Was that—normal?”

“No, Nayana. Not a single description of this rite has ever mentioned even half of this, and—I have no clue if there’s a hidden meaning. So, there was quite a lot unusual.”

“Like?”

“Nayana, the nameless god never witnesses anything. Let alone speaks. There hadn’t been definite proof of their existence for millennia. This could fundamentally change the way our modern beliefs are shaped.”

A buried recollection forced itself to the forefront of my mind, my lips parted, and I stared at Dion.

“Oh gods, Dion. I wonder—”

“What is it?”

“I remember something. Certainly, it’s unrelated, but what if—what if she hinted at the god?”

“Who is she? What do you mean? I don’t follow you.”

“Oh, sorry. There’s a memory I held on to for a long time. One I cherished because of its mystery and a promise of more than a cruel life in my hometown. Something from my teen winters.”

“Share the story with me, will you?”

“Mh. But it’s likely nothing.”

“Even if, then we’ll have spent a few more minutes longer away from Alaiann Palace.”

Nodding, I collected my thoughts. “There was an oracle coming to Credenta every summer solstice celebration.”

“An oracle? They are pure myths. Seers exist, yes. But someone with true oracular vision that they can conjure to their heart’s content?”

“Well, I didn’t claim she was genuine. But every winter, one of the revelry’s attractions had been an oracle. Everyone older than ten winters was invited to ask one question every five celebrations. I visited her three times.”

“Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost? Let me guess, she told you that one day, a devastatingly handsome fae prince would whisk you away and fall irrevocably in love with you.”

My face had betrayed me almost on a daily basis during my life. But never before had I switched colors from paleto blood red as fast as I’d done at Dion’s casual use of the concept I didn’t believe in.

Gods, this was my life from now on, wasn’t it? After all, the prince was never holding back his opinions, even if he coated them in humor.