Chapter 32 #2
Which was why the moment her body went limp, he gently pulled her into the safety of his embrace.
Her head was cradled in the space between his neck and shoulder, her soft snores tickling the underside of his scruff.
He admired her while she napped, enjoying the way her lashes fanned out, casting the faintest of shadows across the tops of her cheeks.
His gaze dipped to her belly, and he wondered what she might look like swollen with his child.
Beautiful, he was certain. But then he started to imagine what their children would look like, how many they would have together, and what they would name them.
Kjeld couldn’t believe he’d ever been so foolish to think he didn’t want her.
Caelian was everything he could have imagined and more.
There were many days when he was a general in Brackroth under Drake’s command, where the idea of marriage never crossed his mind.
He rarely had time to court a woman properly, which was likely why he usually found himself in the ramshackle bedroom of an inn, or in the slums outside of a no-name tavern with the evening’s most willing female wrapped around his cock.
Yet the moment he met Caelian, his perspective shifted.
For the first time, he wanted to be worthy of someone.
He wanted her attention. Her praise. Her laughter.
And once he realized he’d been an absolute ass in regards to her, that he’d wasted so much of his time trying to convince himself he didn’t love her, he never wanted to be parted from her again.
Kjeld brushed a lock of silver and pink hair back from her face.
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 almost evening 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 and whispered, “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!”