Page 14

I sat, pooling the train of my dress at my feet. Robyn adjusted the chair so I’d be closer to the table, and in doing so his hand grazed my shoulder. Even through the thin cloth of the wedding dress, I could feel the warmth radiating from his fingertips into my skin.

I took a moment to focus on keeping my breathing steady.

“I’m going to grab us both some food, if that’s alright with you,” he said, removing his hands from my chair and stepping to my side. I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The next moment, he turned and walked off the platform, moving in the direction that Chess and Ezra had gone.

Once he was far enough away, I let out a shaky breath.

Stop letting him get to you, Viva. He’s the enemy, I scolded myself.

Then why didn’t he feel like it?

I shifted awkwardly in the chair, trying to not squish my wings against the backing.

It was a fruitless effort, I soon realized. The South wasn’t built with fae like myself in mind.

A few moments later, I saw Margo running from Teagan’s grip and up to the platform. She climbed into the chair to the right of me, gaps in her crooked smile.

“You look so pretty, Miss Aviva! And now you’re part of our family!” Margo exclaimed, excitement oozing from her every pore. Teagan, who had been chasing after her, now stood behind Margo’s chair.

“Thank you, Margo. And please, just Aviva. Or Viva, if you’d prefer,” I said, meeting Margo’s gaze, while moving my hands to my lap as I began to pick at my cuticles.

“Viva is such a pretty name,” Margo swooned, placing her elbow on the table and her head in her gloved hand. Curious , I thought, that even for formal events she doesn’t remove her gloves.

Part of me was shocked that a princess could have such a lack of manners, but another part of me still wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from the South.

I opened my mouth to compliment Margo’s dress—which wasn’t covered in paint—when her mood drastically shifted. She was now openly staring at the crown sitting upon my head, her brown eyes slowly pooling with tears.

“Margo?” I asked softly after a moment.

Teagan looked at me, confused, then looked at Margo and followed her gaze. Understanding seemed to flash across her features.

“Come here, Margo. It’s alright,” Teagan said gently, guiding Margo into her arms as a tear escaped Margo’s eyes, scooping her up with ease.

“Did-Did I do something wrong?” I asked, puzzled.

Teagan’s eyes tore into my own as she said, “She’s only ever seen our mother wear that crown.”

Before I could even think of a response, Teagan held Margo closer to her chest, then swiftly walked away.

Guilt hit me like a wave hits the rocks in Cynth Bay, and suddenly I felt light- headed.

Robyn, Margo, Teagan—their parents are gone forever, because of the actions of my people.

I had never really thought about it before, how much the war had affected so many people on such a deep level. It had always felt so far away from my life up in Gatlyn Castle.

Light-headed, I gazed at the ground my feet rested upon for a long moment, trying to center myself.

I didn’t want all of the Southern guests milling about to notice my turbulent emotions.

My nails dug into the wood of the chair I sat in, knuckles turning white.

My wings dug uncomfortably into the chair, which only added to everything else overwhelming my senses.

I don’t know how long I sat there like that, but soon enough Robyn walked back up the stairs of the platform holding two full plates and a wide smile on his face.

When he saw my expression, which I suddenly didn’t have the energy to guard anymore, his face dropped, eyebrows furrowing together. I could feel the walls I had built up slowly falling.

“Aviva?” he asked, setting the plates on the table next to us. I shook my head silently in response and slowly looked up at him, but even that took more energy than I had.

What was happening to me?

The second our eyes met, something passed between the two of us. It was like I could feel his worry in my own chest as he gazed upon me, and his… guilt?

What could he be feeling guilty for?

He looked paler all of a sudden, as I imagined I looked right now.

He crouched down next to me, breaking our eye contact, and that weight of anxiety in my chest lightened.

“What’s wrong? Can I do anything?” he questioned.

“I-I think I need to lay down. Is there any way you can get me out of this afterparty?” I responded.

Robyn looked around the crowded room, at the couples who were already dancing in the middle of the space, at the people on the outskirts trying different foods. He looked back at me and nodded. “Whatever you need,” he said, and part of me ached to believe him.

Robyn stood up and offered me his hand, but the moment I went to stand up, another wave of dizziness hit me, causing me to slump back into the chair.

“I don’t think I can walk,” I said in a small, shaky voice. My face flushed in embarrassment.

Robyn, ever quick on his feet, responded, “That’s alright, I have an idea. Do you trust me?”

“Do I have a choice?” I retorted, but my heart wasn’t in it this time, the response sounding weak.

In the next heartbeat, Robyn slid his arm behind my back and under my legs, careful not to crush my wings, then lifted me and held me close to his chest. He was thoughtful enough not to let the train of my dress drag as he stood, then walked straight for the main doors.

I had to do my best not to squeal at the sudden close contact between us.

I’d never been this close to a male outside of my family, and definitely not one as attractive as Robyn.

I could feel my zirilium responding to the surge in my emotions, pumping like the lightning I wield throughout every vein in my body.

Robyn kept his head held high while I tucked mine closer into his chest, as if I could hide from the world while inside his arms. I instinctually had wrapped my arms around his neck, and couldn’t help peeking up at him as he smiled at everybody he passed, and even winked at one elderly female, who smiled kindly in response.

Everybody in the room watched as we left, the crowd parting for us. They clapped and cheered, some even shouting their congratulations.

As soon as the door shut behind us, I could hear myself think again in the quiet hallway. Robyn’s smile slowly faded as the doors slid to a close behind us.

His steps became quicker, but he never faltered, ever light on his feet.

This close to him, I finally noticed how pleasant he smelled—like fresh rain and magnolia tree blossoms. A very soft sigh escaped my lips.

Once I realized that I had just smelled him, I could feel my cheeks and ears flush bright pink. I cleared my throat awkwardly, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

I could almost feel the pride radiating off of him.

As a fae male, even without our immortality, males were known for being possessive and proud of their females.

Whether Robyn had wanted this union between the two of us or not, I could feel that ancient instinct kicking in inside of him as he held me close.

After many twists and turns through the never-ending hallways that I still didn’t recognize, I finally mustered up enough energy to lift my head, and I realized we had made it back to the royal’s private wing of The Haven.

Yet, as we came nearer to the end of the hallway, we didn’t stop in front of the room I had been assigned to for the past couple of days.

No, we continued walking all the way to the end, the very last room behind the center doors of the hall.

He used his elbow to push the handle down, then stepped inside, leaning against the door to shut it behind us.

He shifted so two of his fingers were free of supporting my legs, and snapped once.

Suddenly, soft orange light filled the dark room. Through my foggy feeling mind, it took me a moment to realize he must be a fire wielder, and another moment to comprehend that he had just lit every candle in the room with a single snap.

I inhaled sharply, the realization of who exactly he was settling upon me all over again. I quickly shoved at his chest, causing him to let go, and I just barely got my feet under me before I could fall to the ground.

“Woah,” he said, raising his hands up as if he were surrendering.

“This isn’t the room Teagan put me in,” I said accusingly, though it took all my remaining strength to stay on my feet without swaying.

“You’re right. Now that we’re married, you’ll have to stay in here. This is my— our —room. I’ll sleep on the couch so you can have the bed,” he explained.

My mouth parted in shock at his words, and for the first time, I looked around at the room. My jaw fell open fully at the sight before me.

Unlike the room I had been in before, there was nothing Southern about this room.

There was no green or gold, or even any wood paneling.

The walls were stone, as though it had been an addition to the main part of the castle.

Every little detail, down to the door handle and pillow cases, were either silver or a shade of blue.

Not every shade of blue matched, but it was all blue nonetheless.

There was even a white fur blanket laid out across the bed, like the kind I had back home on my own bed.

I noticed even my trunk had been moved to be sitting at the foot of the bed.

Lastly, I noticed that this room had a large balcony in the back, off to the side, facing the forest behind The Haven and open to the sky. My heart ached to soar through the clouds again.

I turned to look up at Robyn, who I then realized had been staring at me this whole time.

Snapping my jaw shut, I cleared my throat and said softly, “Thank you.”

He smiled, obviously satisfied with my response, then gently led me to the bed.

I insisted on changing first, which I retreated to his washroom to do.

After I emerged in more comfortable clothing, I followed him as he once again led me by hand to the bed.

I curled up alone in the middle of the feather soft mattress, pulling the fur blanket up to my chin.

Beads of sweat had begun to pool on my forehead, even though chill bumps were erupting across my skin. My head was still spinning, now even worse than before. I even thought I saw Robyn reach out to stroke my hair as my blinking became slower and I finally closed my eyes for the evening.