Chapter 26 #2
The easy atmosphere around the terrace begins to work its way under my guard, and I find myself relaxing almost without realizing it.
Watching them together feels effortless.
They tease one another without malice, interrupt each other without offense, and somehow make every conversation feel warm instead of exhausting.
It is nothing like the family I grew up in.
There are no hidden agendas. No carefully chosen words. No constant calculation over who holds the upper hand. For the first time, I understand why Aurelia loves people so openly. She learned from people who loved her first.
As the conversation drifts toward the wedding, Hazel turns to me with an encouraging smile.
"Aurelia mentioned you're engaged too. How's your wedding planning coming along?"
The question catches me completely off guard. My smile stays exactly where it is. But somewhere beneath it, something shifts.
Without warning, another face flashes through my mind. Not my fiancé's. Nico's.
For a brief moment, I simply stare at Hazel, trying to remember whether I'd ever actually told Aurelia she could share that part of my life with anyone else.
Then again, I should have expected it. She wasn't the kind of person who kept happy news to herself, especially when it involved people she loved.
Still, hearing the words spoken aloud in a room full of strangers feels... different.
Engaged. The word settles strangely in my chest.
Before I can answer, my attention shifts almost instinctively toward the opposite side of the terrace.
Keith is standing near one of the open archways, speaking with Nico and two members of his security team.
From this distance, I can't hear the conversation, but I don't need to.
Nico looks up at almost the exact moment I do, as though he had sensed my gaze before I'd even realized I was looking for him.
For one fleeting second, our eyes meet. His expression doesn't change.
There isn't the slightest hint of surprise, amusement, annoyance, or disappointment. He simply looks at me with that same unreadable calm he'd perfected from the moment we'd met. It is impossible to tell what, if anything, is going through his mind.
"Zora?" Hazel's gentle voice pulls me back to the conversation.
I blink, realizing everyone is waiting for my answer.
"I'm sorry." I say with an apologetic smile. "My mind wandered for a second."
"It happens." Hazel replies warmly. "Wedding conversations have a habit of overwhelming everyone."
"They certainly do."
"So?" Killian asks, leaning forward with obvious curiosity. "Tell us everything. When's the wedding?"
I laugh quietly and shake my head. "There isn't much to tell yet."
"No date?" Hazel asks.
"Not yet. I think we're still trying to figure out where everyone's schedules align."
Declan nods thoughtfully. "Probably for the best. Rushing these things rarely ends well."
"I agree."
Hazel smiles encouragingly. "Well, whenever it happens, I'm sure it'll be beautiful."
"Thank you."
"We've only just met, but anyone Aurelia considers family is already family to us."
The words settle somewhere unexpectedly deep. I don't know how to respond to that kind of uncomplicated affection.
Growing up as a Krogen meant every relationship carried expectations. Every compliment had a purpose. Every conversation eventually circled back to business, reputation, or obligation.
The Sterlings don't seem to know how to love that way. They simply... do.
Aurelia notices my silence and gently bumps her shoulder against mine. "They're a little overwhelming."
"A little?"
She grins. "They'll probably adopt you by dinner."
Killian points toward her. "She's exaggerating." He pauses thoughtfully. "...Breakfast tomorrow, though? That's still on the table."
The entire group laughs. Even I can't stop myself from smiling.
By the time the last wedding meeting ends, night has settled over Elysian Haven. My ankle has finally had enough, so I slip away to one of the quieter courtyards and lower myself onto a stone bench with a relieved sigh.
"I was wondering how long it'd take before you admitted that your ankle still hurts."
I don't have to look up. "I wasn't admitting anything."
Nico steps into the pool of light cast by one of the lanterns, a bottle of cold water already in his hand. He sets it beside me before taking the opposite end of the bench.
"You've been limping all evening."
"I've been walking all evening."
His expression makes it clear he isn't buying that explanation for a second.
I look down at my hands. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For noticing."
The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
For a moment, he simply looks at me. "I spent several days making sure you stayed alive." He says quietly. "Hard habit to break."
A faint smile tugs at my lips. "I'll try not to run into any more mercenaries this week."
"I'd appreciate that."
Silence settles comfortably between us before Nico finally rises to his feet.
"I should get back."
"Keith?"
He nods. "We've got a few things to go over."
I raise an eyebrow. "You two have become surprisingly friendly."
"We're not."
"Really?" I fold my arms. "Because from where I'm sitting, you've spent all your time with my brother ever since you came."
A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Occupational hazard."
"I didn't realize you and Keith shared one."
"We do."
I study him for a moment. "So... should I be worried you're replacing me?"
"I don't think that's possible."
The answer catches me off guard.
Before I can respond, he glances toward the resort. "He's a good man."
There's a quiet certainty in the way he says it that leaves no room for argument.
"He is." I agree softly.
Nico gives my ankle one last pointed look. "Take it easy, Elf."
"I will."
The doubtful look he gives me says he doesn't believe a word of it. Then he turns and disappears into the night.