Chapter 27 Do You Want to Sneak Out of Here?
Dean
I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since Anxo and Nevaeh stepped on the stage for their first dance. Anyone with eyes can see how perfect they fit together.
Fates must be trying to make up for everything they put the Blackburns through by giving us the best soulmates.
In our world, the one with higher status shares their surname with their mate, and since Anxo and Nevaeh are equals, we all assumed they’d keep their own name.
Then, in the middle of the ceremony, Anxo announced he was taking the Blackburn name.
Anyone who knows him wasn’t surprised in the slightest because that’s how uncomplicated the guy is.
The audience thought they were clutching their pearls, as if they were witnessing a scandal unfold. Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through dry leaves.
Judgment, curiosity… and a little awe.
For a moment, Nevaeh was worried he’d lose the one good thing his family had given him. But Anxo convinced her he’s done carrying what his legacy represents.
His family history is written in pain, betrayal, and anger. He’s ready to bury it all and start fresh. I admire him for wanting to build a new legacy. Something their kids would be proud to be a part of.
Since that moment, Anxo’s decision has been just as much the talk of the evening as the wedding itself. People can’t stop raving about Seiji’s flair for throwing the most extravagant events.
But even the nonstop gossip feels lighter tonight.
Nothing can ruin my good mood. Not the whispers. Not the past. Not even the future.
I feel… good. And I want to hold onto that for as long as possible.
I stand in the middle of the stage, searching for the woman I swore I wouldn’t follow around like a puppy tonight.
Five minutes. That’s how long that promise lasted. And honestly? I didn’t even try to fight the urge to be close to her.
Our eyes meet, and I’m struck by how beautiful she is, like I’m seeing her for the first time.
She stands in the corner, watching everything with careful, measured eyes.
Now that I’m not running around making sure everything is perfect for my daughter, my focus is zeroed in on my mate. Everything else beside her fades into the background.
She’s the only thing that matters.
The way she moves. The way she hesitates a bit before smiling at me. The way her eyes keep finding me in the crowd, but she still won’t come closer.
I admire her restraint, but it’s not my strength.
I need her. Need to feel her pressed against me, her lips on mine, her heart beating just for me.
I make my way toward her, slow and deliberate. When her lips curl into a smirk, I know. She’s been waiting for me to come to her.
My hellfire loves the chase, loves seeing me desperate for her.
Her eyes follow my every move, her smile widening with each step I take toward her.
Let’s see how much my mate misses me when I’m not around.
I take the opportunity to call my shadows and disappear. They curl around me, eager to play along.
I reappear behind her, keeping just enough distance so she doesn’t sense me.
Hazel pushes off the wall quickly, a switch flipped inside her. The smile on her lips fades as her fingers drum against the dagger at her waist, searching the crowd for me.
Even though a part of me feels bad for worrying her, the rest of me is thrilled. She’s panicking because she can’t find me.
Fates, I love my fireball.
Hazel drags her bottom lip between her teeth, her head turning in every direction, getting more and more agitated the longer she can’t find me.
When I can’t take it anymore, I slip behind her and rest my chin on her shoulder.
“Looking for me, hellfire?” My voice now, right against her ear.
Hazel jumps before realizing it’s me, then melts back into me with a soft sigh.
See? She likes me. Maybe even more than like.
I grab a glass of the earth fairies’ special brew from a passing server and offer it to her as a peace offering. A silent apology for making her worry.
“Why would I be looking for you?” Her tone might be casual, but she’s still leaning into me, flooded with relief.
“Because you missed my handsome face.”
“You’re insufferable.” She takes a sip to hide her smile behind the glass.
“Insufferably adorable, you mean.”
She rolls her eyes, and all my blood rushes south.
I love grumpy Hazel. I love every version of her, but this one is my favorite.
I wrap an arm around her waist and steer us toward the stage. Taking her empty glass, I set it aside before leaning in to whisper, “Come dance with me.”
“I don’t know how to dance.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ve got you.” I guide her hand to my shoulder, pulling her closer. “I know it’ll be difficult for you to listen. Might even kill you a little inside, but sometimes it’s good to let someone else take the lead.”
Tension drains from her shoulders as she slowly relaxes. But when a server accidentally drops a tray, the knots are back.
I hate seeing her so stressed. Ever since Timor found us in the human realm, she’s been jumpy. And after what I saw at the waterfall that night, I know how tight she’s holding herself.
But this isn’t her burden to shoulder alone.
I grip her chin and turn her face toward me. “Whatever worst-case scenarios you’re building in your head aren’t going to happen.” She looks at me in shock. I might goof around a lot, but I see her. “I promise you no one is going to barge in and kill us all.”
“Shut up.” She grumbles, clearly not thrilled that I can read her so easily.
“I checked every portal myself. The guards know exactly who to let in, and they’ll alert me the second someone unapproved shows up. Nothing is going to ruin this day for our family, Hazel.”
I spin her once before pulling her back against my chest.
“So, relax and enjoy the day. Take notes for our wedding.” She glares, but there’s no heat behind it. “Or we could elope. I’m happy if you’re happy.”
I stop in the middle of the dance floor, cupping her face. My heart flutters when she leans into my touch.
I trace her bottom lip, eyes stuck on her soft lips painted deep red, and enjoy the way blush takes over her face and neck.
I don’t know what takes over me, but I’ve never felt this settled before.
Hazel completes me. She makes life so much more exciting. I look forward to every day I get to spend with her. We’ve come so far, and even with all the chaos around us, we keep leaning into each other. Keep giving our bond a chance to blossom.
There aren’t enough words that could describe the magic she has sprinkled over my life, but I need to start somewhere.
“I love you, Hazel.”
She freezes, caught between shock and confusion. Her lips part, but no words come out. I watch her unravel and can’t help but smile.
I should’ve known this would fry her brain.
When her surprise turns into something sadder, I bring her hand over my heart.
“Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to say it. I can feel it.”
And that’s enough.
Maybe I’d be a little more worried if I didn’t already know she feels it too.
There’s no one else she’d dance with. No one else she leans into when things get rough. No one else she turns to when the world gets too heavy.
She might not realize it yet, but she chose me a long time ago.
And I mean it, she doesn’t have to say the words because she has been showing how much she trusts me all along.
“Dean…” Her smile is sad as her eyes fall shut. “I don’t know why I can’t say it back.”
A tear slips down her cheek, and I quickly wipe it away with my thumb.
“Good thing we’ve got the rest of our lives to figure it out.”
“You’re so cheesy.” She shakes her head with a laugh. “I don’t know what I did to piss off the fates so much that they bonded me to you.”
“You know it hurts my feelings when you say things like that.” I lower my voice, playing it serious. The second her smile falters, guilt flashing across her face, I grin. “But I’m willing to forgive and forget… for a head.” I wiggle my eyebrows.
Hazel punches me square in the center of my chest.
“Ow. That hurts, you beautifully crazy woman.”
She huffs, then finally gives in, falling into me. Her forehead presses into my neck as she curls closer, fitting against me like she belongs there.
I kiss the top of her head, and Hazel sighs softly before she starts humming.
The same quiet tune that burrows deep inside my chest and feels like home.
“What’s that song you’re always humming?”
She freezes, pulling back too quickly, but I keep her close with my arms around her waist.
“What did you just say?”
“The song you’re humming… I’ve heard it before.” I hum it softly, doing my best not to botch her tune, and Hazel goes completely still.
“You can hear me?”
“I’m not deaf, baby, of course I can hear you.” I laugh, but she doesn’t. “Your voice is amazing… enchanting. Not surprising though, I am mated to a siren.”
“When… when did you start hearing my hum?”
Okay, now she’s officially freaking out, but I don’t understand why.
“Since the first time you kissed me, and couldn’t get enough.” I know it’s coming, so I’m able to grab her hand before she can hit me.
“It was faint before that, but after we kissed, it became clear. But I didn’t like the one you were humming at the waterfall. It was too sad. Not like you. But this one?” I smile. “I love this one. It’s my favorite.”
She just stares at me, stunned into silence.
I can feel her spiraling, so I revert to jokes. I need to make her laugh because she looks like she’s about to burst into tears.
“Be honest, this is happening because of me, right? You have the best mate in the universe who loves you so much that it’s giving you the confidence to take your talent to another level. You were a rough diamond before my love shaped you.”
This time, Hazel actually lands the punch, but we’re both laughing.
Thank fates. I don’t know what I would do if she started crying right after I confessed my undying love for her.
“How do you lug around that giant ego all day?”
I peck her lips twice before we fall back into the music.
“You’re just grumpy because you know I’m right.”
Instead of the banter I expected, Hazel rises on her toes and leans into me, her voice dropping, “Do you want to sneak out of here?”
I nearly swallow my tongue at that.
“Is that… an invitation? For naughty time?”
Hazel bites her lip and shrugs, batting her lashes innocently. And I fall for it like a sucker.
“Your wish is my command, baby.”