Chapter 37 Aurelia
Aurelia
Vesper was hiding something.
It was weird because somehow she had persuaded me to come back to the Castle palace. A place I was convinced I would stay away from for at least another month.
The first few days away from my mother had been hard, but the more Vesper, Cedar, and I explored, the easier it became.
I felt free.
Sometimes even a bit bored. But that was life, wasn’t it? The boredom I experienced before was due to being literally locked in the palace, but this time it was thanks to peace.
There was no fighting. No running for our lives—unless, of course, Vesper decided she wanted to get fucked. And I was more than okay with that.
Which brought me back to wondering why Vesper would bring us back here. Specifically, to this place, between the large fountain and the millions of colorful flowers my mother had been busy planting.
It was beautiful.
My life before this was filled with black, red, and gold. Limited colors because they matched the Castle family. But now there was pink, green, blue, and every other combination of colors imaginable. It was like walking through a sea of rainbows.
“Why are we back here so soon?” Cedar asked.
“And why are you nervous?” I followed up.
Vesper stood in front of the fountain and faced us.
“There was a specific moment when I knew the course of my life would change. Do you want to know what it was?”
Cedar and I shared a look.
“Enlighten us,” I said with a smirk. Cedar wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close.
Vesper motioned to the fountain behind her.
“Once upon a time, there was a spoiled princess who decided the best way to get on her father’s nerves was to take a swim.”
Amusement tickled the bond. I frowned.
“Spoiled princess,” I muttered.
Vesper smiled.
“Spoiled enough that you made me go in there to get you. Do you remember how I did that?”
I pouted, not wanting to respond.
“I said I wouldn’t play with you anymore.”
“You’re such a liar,” Cedar said with a huff.
Vesper nodded before continuing. “But for the first time, I knew I couldn’t get away from it.
From you. From us. Fate brought us together, and that night was the first moment that I felt there would be no stopping it.
” Her eyes shifted to Cedar. “With you, it was the day you brought us back to your cabin. When I started realizing that it was Aurelia and me… but you as well. I yearned for the three of us to be together. So I kept seeking you out.”
“While leaving me in the cabin.”
“Don’t be salty,” Cedar whispered. “Our hunter is trying to be sincere.”
“Over the last few months, I realized I don’t ever want to live without you again. We’ll have an eternity together, so I thought it was only right to solidify my intentions with the two of you once and for all.”
Vesper dropped to one knee and fished something out of her pocket. My heart dropped.
“Is she…?”
“Oh my gods.”
She opened a box, and inside sat three silver rings, all carved with intricate shapes and embedded with rubies.
“Tate helped me make this using my sword and the Castle family sword. They were made with magic that will help us locate each other, in case the bond can’t. Because I can’t lose you again.” She sent us a nervous smile. “Will you please do me the honor of being my eternity?”
We stood there, frozen, not knowing how to react. Cedar was the first one to come to, pushing me forward.
“Do you even have to ask?” I exclaimed and lunged at her.
Cedar was close behind me, grabbing Vesper’s hair and forcing their lips together. I kissed up her neck until it was my turn to capture her lips.
Love poured through the bond. She was proposing.
After two engagements and one marriage, this was the first time I had ever been proposed to. And with a ring. By someone I actually love and want.
Is this really my life?
Red tears filled my eyes, and I pulled away, forcing my shaking hand out so Vesper could put my ring on.
Cedar did the same, and when it came to the last ring, Cedar and I put it on Vesper’s finger together.
They thrummed with deep magic, tying us together.
“Of course we will,” I said. “What do you think we’ve been doing up until now? Playing around?”
Vesper smiled.
“I hope to play with you for the rest of our lives. I just wanted to make it official.”
“Good job, my love,” Cedar said and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead.
Just as I was about to dive at her again, clapping interrupted us. We turned to look at the entrance of the palace, and my jaw dropped.
My mother was in front, dressed in an extravagant gown, clapping and crying. Behind her was the Castle family. But not just them.
Caspian, Atlas, Elora, Tate, Gabriel, Charlotte, Rose, Dahlia, and almost every other vampire we’d come across in our journey were there, clapping at Vesper’s show.
“Let’s get the party started!” my mother yelled.
I couldn’t help but laugh. Cedar grabbed the two of us in a crushing hug.
“And an engagement party?” I whispered. “You outdid yourself.”
Vesper had the gall to look sheepish.
“You two deserve the best, and I want to give it to you.”
I sighed and allowed us to be celebrated.
I didn’t think of the future or the vampire world or what would happen.
It didn’t matter.
I would live and love without fear of consequences. We deserved it.
Love had brought us together. Nothing could tear us apart.
I pulled them into a three-way kiss with a laugh, and welcomed our new eternity.
Together.