Chapter 19 Maize
MAIZE
The air outside Gray’s castle bit at my cheeks the moment I stepped onto the snow-dusted steps, but the warmth from our lunch still clung to me—the taste of sweet cider lingering and the sound of laughter still ringing in my ears.
I’d stayed for hours after the plates were cleared, talking about everything and nothing.
It had been…easy. The kind of day I never used to believe could exist for someone like me. When I finally stood to leave, Gray had hugged me so tightly my ribs protested.
“You’ve earned quiet days, Maize,” she murmured. “Don’t forget to take them.”
Now, as I made my way down the castle steps, the horizon glowed in soft shades of lilac and gold, the Horde wrapped in twilight. Warm light spilled from the houses below, flickering like stars scattered across the snow, and somewhere in the distance, bells chimed.
My boots crunched softly along the path leading toward the city center, each step releasing a little puff of frost into the air. For the first time in years, my chest didn’t ache from dread or anxiety of what was next. I wasn’t preparing for battle. I wasn’t looking over my shoulder.
I just…was.
When I reached the castle gates, I half expected to see at least one of my mates waiting—Cannon, especially, since we’d arrived together earlier.
I’d even checked the library on my way out, but there hadn’t been a single familiar face in sight.
And now, standing at the gates with the evening chill curling around me, there was still no one waiting.
Odd.
It made me smile, though. My men were protective to the point of absurdity, so if none of them were here, it had to be intentional. Which only meant one thing—they were up to something.
Cannon’s voice telling me about our ‘plans’ tonight drifted through my memory. He’d sounded way too excited for it to be casual. Whatever they were planning, it was probably chaotic, heartfelt, or both. Either way, my best bet was to head home and find out.
Halfway home, two familiar figures stepped out of a local shop—Alexander and Griffin, both bundled in thick coats, their breath fogging in the chill air.
Alexander grinned the moment he spotted me. “There she is! The hero of the Horde.”
I scoffed, shaking my head and ducking my face as a few people turned to look. “Don’t you freakin’ dare.”
“Of course not,” Griffin said, tone far too innocently. “Are you walking back to the academy?”
“Yes! The guys already headed back, so I’m playing catch up.”
“That is surprising.” Alexander arched his brow. “Sounds like they’re up to something.”
“That’s what I said!” I laughed.
“We’ll make sure you get back safe so they don’t kill us,” Griffin said.
Alexander chuckled. “Not sure that would stop them.”
I couldn’t help but sigh happily, warmth blooming in my chest. It felt good—really good—to be around the two of them again.
After all, they had been my first real friends at the academy.
They’d even willingly incurred the wrath of my mates by taking me out to a pub so we could drink away our problems.
“How have you two been?” I asked once our laughter died down.
“Up to our usual bullshit,” Griffin admitted with a grin. “But good.”
“Planning to volunteer for one of the field squadrons,” Alexander added. “Need a bit of a break from this place.”
“Be careful,” I said, frowning slightly.
“What? You not planning to travel anytime soon?” Griffin teased.
“No.” I shook my head, keeping my eyes on the path ahead as we left the city and started toward the Red Masques Academy. “I need some serious relaxation time.”
Alexander nodded. “Good. About time you were bored for a bit.”
“Can’t keep fighting gods,” Griffin agreed, laughing. “Shit’ll wear you out.”
I elbowed him lightly, laughing along, and we fell into comfortable conversation. Snow gathered on the road ahead, the academy lights casting a soft golden glow in the distance.
When we reached the path that split toward the academy’s main doors, Alexander slowed. “We’re heading to the eastern gate—new recruits coming through tonight.”
“Good luck with that. Have a good night, guys.”
Griffin adjusted his gloves, then gave me a crooked smirk. “We’ll see you soon, Maize.”
I watched them go for a long moment, their figures fading into the white of the snow, before continuing home.
I followed the winding path toward our house, and before long, I began to notice glowing lights floating along the pathway, beckoning me forward.
The orbs drifted about five feet off the ground in shades of pink, blue, and lilac, casting soft, shimmering light across the snow.
But it wasn’t just that—the snowy pines were adorned with starry orbs of light, glittering like delicate ornaments.
It was breathtaking, and the beauty only deepened as the sky grew darker.
By the time I reached the house, my pulse had quickened, excitement blooming through my mate bond as my men released the careful hold they’d been keeping on it all evening.
I hadn’t even realized they’d muted it until that moment, their emotions flooding through me all at once: love, affection, nervousness.
It filled every inch of me until I could hardly breathe.
As I climbed the stairs and pressed my hand to the front door, the faint sound of music drifted out to meet me. The air itself vibrated with soft, melodic notes that tugged at something deep inside me.
The house had been transformed.
I paused as I stepped inside, breath catching at the soft, otherworldly light that shimmered across every surface.
It looked as if the moon itself had turned lilac and spilled through invisible cracks in the ceiling.
Floating candles hung in delicate halos, casting the room in pale blues and pinks that infused the air with a cozy warmth.
Snowflakes drifted lazily from the ceiling, tiny frozen stars spinning in the glow and never melting when they touched the floor.
And then I saw them.
My men stood waiting, each one dressed in shades that matched the room, their eyes bright with fierce emotion. My heart leapt straight into my throat as realization struck.
This was what they’d been planning.
I turned in a slow circle, taking it all in, my cheeks flushed and my voice caught somewhere between a laugh and a breath. “This…” I murmured, heart racing as my gaze found Cannon. “This is what you were talking about earlier?”
Cannon stepped out from the shadows near the fire, his lips pressing into a smile. “Yeah. It felt almost impossible not to tell you.”
“Tell me what?” I whispered. My words barely carried across the space between us, my eyes already burning with unshed happy tears.
Valerio’s steady voice broke the silence. “We figured it was about time to make this official,” he said, then paused—his gaze darkening as it met mine. “You’ve been our center from the start, Maize. Tonight’s just us putting words to what’s already been true.”
“You’ve survived everything,” Maddox said softly, his eyes sparkling with a deep devotion. “Now you just have to survive a lifetime of us loving you.”
Chait followed, his normal grin softened at the edges. “What he’s trying to say is, you’re ours—and we’re never letting you go.”
A quiet laugh rippled through the room before Philip stepped closer.
“Little rose,” Philip said, his tone laced with affection that made my heart flutter. “What we are all trying to say—terribly, I might add—is that we love you. Entirely. Endlessly. In every way that matters.”
Charm stepped up beside him, his expression completely unguarded and vulnerable. “You didn’t just save Fae, birdy,” he murmured. “You saved us. You made our family whole.”
Then Zed stepped forward, and in his hands he held a small velvet box, opening it with a care that made my heart stutter.
Inside rested a stunning, unique ring. A delicate band of slender silver vines sprouted tiny opal leaves that glinted in the dark lighting. At its center bloomed a gemstone shimmering with violet, rose, and moonlit blue, as though the night sky itself had been caught and set within the ring.
“Maize,” Zed began softly before hesitating, a rare hint of nerves tugging at his mouth before a small, hopeful smile broke through. “Angel…will you marry us? Will you let us love you for the rest of forever?”
My breath caught, and for a heartbeat, the entire world seemed to pause—the candles flickered like they were holding their breath, and the music softened until all I could hear was the wild rhythm of my own heartbeat.
Then Chait’s voice wrapped around me. “So what do you say, mon amour?”
A laugh slipped out of me, trembling and full of tears. “Yes.” The word felt like light itself. “Absolutely yes.”