31. Colton
Chapter 31
Colto n
“Lyra is going to love this,” I tell Flora, glancing out at the terrace below from my bedchamber’s balcony. The white marble terrace is impressive, with massive pillars and archways opening up to a sprawling seating area. Rows of chairs are set up, each adorned with simple yet elegant white flowers, flanked by an army of candles—seriously, there are candles everywhere. Floating orbs of flowers and candles add a touch of magic to the scene.
The aisle is covered in white petals, lined with candles that flicker like tiny beacons. Beyond the chairs, a few steps lead up to a stage, which is decked out with even more flowers and candles. Past the stage, the sea stretches out, high up on the cliffs, with low-lying clouds hovering above the water. The air smells fresh and salty. I take a deep breath, enjoying the scent.
It takes me back to summers spent here as a kid. My mother always loved this place. She used to say there was nothing like falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing below. I never got it back then, but now I see why it’s so calming.
“I hope so. You’re going to die when you see her. She looks so beautiful,” Flora says. I have no doubt. I wonder how Lyra’s holding up today after I kept her up late last night.
People are starting to arrive and mingle below. I told my mother Lyra wanted a small, intimate ceremony. She narrowed down her guest list a lot, but there’ll still be a decent crowd. Everyone important to Lyra will be here, and that’s all that matters to me.
“Okay, well, I wanted to check on you and let you know it’s almost time! I saw Drew earlier and went through everything with her to make sure it will all run smoothly. I think you guys made a good choice with her. She’ll do great,” Flora says, peering over the edge to look at the guests arriving below.
Usually, an elder officiates a bonding ceremony, but with Lyra and me, our unique history and heritage called for something more personal. Drew was an easy choice to officiate, and she was happy to do it when we asked her.
After my extensive talk with her this morning, she now knows everything. She handled it well, but that’s no surprise. Drew always seems to know everything. She didn’t outright say it, but I have a feeling she pulls more strings than she’s given credit for.
“In case we don’t get a chance to talk later, I really appreciate you doing this for us and for being kind to Lyra. I know we haven’t been close ever since...well, ever since Z died and Nyx and I had our falling out, but I appreciate you being there for her even though things didn’t work out with her and Nyx,” I tell Flora, honestly.
“Aww, stop it. You’re going to make me cry before the ceremony even starts. I’m happy to do it, and I love Lyra. I never stopped caring about you either. I’m glad we’re all friends again. You know, I think Nyx is coming around more and more every day,” she says.
I think he’s coming around. I just peeked in on Lyra a few minutes ago and had a chance to talk to him—I’m feeling optimistic about the future. I won’t tell Flora though…she’d lose it if she knew I saw Lyra in her dress before the ceremony. She did yell at me not to look, so I tried to keep my eyes off her. As if that worked!
She continues, “I’d better head down. I left Twig in charge of greeting guests, and I’m not sure he was too keen on the idea. Come down soon. It’s almost time.” She squeezes my arm and gives me a genuine smile before hurrying off down the hall.
I let out a long, steadying breath. If I’m feeling anxious, Lyra must be a ball of nerves. It’s not the ceremony itself that gets to me; it’s everything that comes after. I take one last look in the mirror. Dressed in all black, I must say I look pretty damn sharp—definitely exuding those kingly vibes. I considered tying my hair back but settled for twisting a few pieces out of my face.
I head down the hall to the lower level, but before I reach the terrace, my mother intercepts me, linking her arm through mine and tugging me into a sitting room.
“Elspeth, you have such a beautiful home,” a woman remarks as we pass.
“Thank you. The terrace is through those doors to the right,” my mother replies with a polite smile. She ushers me inside and shuts the double doors. Once we’re alone, her pleasant facade fades into a serious expression.
“Are you sure you want to go through with the bonding ceremony?” she asks, concerned.
I release a frustrated sigh. “We’ve been over this. I’ve accepted my fate—or rather I’ve chosen it,” I reply, moving to open the door.
“Wait, come here,” she says, pulling me into a hug, her eyes misty. I hug her back, trying to offer some reassurance .
“I’m not dying, Mom. This isn’t a funeral,” I tease lightly, and she gives my arm a gentle slap.
“You are my only child, and I wouldn’t wish this fate on my worst enemy. That girl is poison, and I know what courses through her blood,” she insists. Anger flares within me—I hate hearing her talk about Lyra like this—but now isn’t the time for that fight. We’ve had too many already. Instead, I sigh, exasperated.
“Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?” she asks, desperation edging into her voice.
“Mother, I love her. She completes me, and my soul would be lost without her. Please, let me go through with the bonding ceremony with the woman I love. My destiny is mine to embrace, and I am happy. Be happy for me,” I plead. Her eyes soften briefly, and she nods, gripping my arms tightly.
“I’ll be in the front row,” she promises, and before she can get more emotional, she releases me and hurries back down the hallway toward the terrace doors.
I wait a moment, letting some distance grow between us before making my way to the terrace. As soon as the double doors open, the scent of flowers mixed with the sea overwhelms my senses. So many flowers. Flora hands me a glass of water while she’s standing with Twig, greeting guests. I take it and thank her. Rix and Rune hover behind them with a few of their family members. I wave and move to the stage.
Little groups are mingling all around. Some people have already taken their seats while others are sipping drinks and chatting. I spot my father with a couple of his friends. Even though things have been strained between us ever since I found out he’s not my biological father, I’m still glad he’s here. He doesn’t approve of me being with Lyra either, but at least he’s not as vocal about it as my mother. I walk over and shake his hand then continue greeting friends and family along the way .
I see Drew standing on the stage, her back to me as she leans over the railing, peering out at the ocean. Hollie is here too, and she’s brought a couple of her friends. Lyra will be ecstatic to see more Pixies, I’m sure. I shake hands with a few more people and finally make it onto the stage.
“You ready for this?” Drew says without looking back.
I lean against the railing, angling my body toward her. “You have no idea,” I chuckle, brushing the hair out of my face as the breeze picks up.
She turns to face me, her hip propped against the railing. “I bet you didn’t think it would turn out like this when I asked you to come train Lyra in my realm,” Drew says with a slight smile, one of her fangs catching the sunlight.
She had asked me to help Lyra with her Fae magic after Nyx had fucked everything up. It feels like a lifetime ago now and yet also not so long at the same time.
“Honestly? I thought you wanted an excuse to see me more often,” I say with a wink. We both laugh, the sound mingling with the distant crash of the waves below.
“Will our dear King Onyx be in attendance today?” Drew asks, her tone light but her eyes sharp as she glances from me then back out to the horizon.
“Oh, he’s here alright. He’s with Lyra right now. Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him to be trying to talk her out of the ceremony. If she weren’t so godsdamn powerful, I’d worry he’d try to capture her and hide her away just to stop this wedding,” I say, half-joking but fully aware there’s some truth to my words.
“You two have more in common than you realize. It’s a wonder no one figured out you were half-brothers sooner,” Drew remarks, a hint of amusement in her voice.
I shake my head, laughing. “Hey, I might be tolerating him lately, but that doesn’t mean we have anything in common.”
“Sure, you sacrificed your life to save his because you ‘tolerate’ him,” Drew says, narrowing her eyes at me. I push off the railing, not wanting to admit I might have a small soft spot for him.
“There are a lot more people here than I anticipated,” I say, shifting the focus as I look out at the crowd. More and more people are starting to take their seats.
“Don’t pretend you’re getting stage fright. We all know you love the attention,” Drew teases, moving to stand at the center of the stage.
Flora makes an announcement, and everyone finds their places, ready for the ceremony to begin. I scan the crowd and spot my mother and father, seated as promised in the front row. Lili and Hollie have also secured spots up front.
I glance around, searching for Nyx, but he’s nowhere to be seen. He never said if he was staying for the entire ceremony or not. I can’t really blame him if it’s hard for him to see.
A low hum of music begins to play on the wind, an ethereal melody that seems to come from the very air itself. The guests rise, a sea of anticipation, and then the double doors open. Lyra steps out, and I swear my heart stops in my chest.
Everything I thought I knew vanishes, and all I can do is drink in the sight of her. She is indescribably beautiful, and she’s mine.
All mine.
Chepi hovers beside her, flying at shoulder height, a small white bow tied around his neck. Even he seems to understand the gravity of this moment.
Her dress sparkles and shifts, the shadows intertwining with the lace details like living fabric. It moves as if it’s part of her, responding to her every breath. As she walks down the aisle, the path lights up, each candle bursting to life.
I know there’s music playing, but I can’t hear it over the pounding of my heart. My mind is filled with nothing but her. Her eyes scan the crowd before locking onto mine, and they stay there, pulling me into her. Her hair catches the sunlight, sparkling almost as much as her dress.
I feel an overwhelming urge to go to her, to meet her halfway and claim her before everyone, to show them all that she belongs to me. She is striking, a vision of power and grace. I open the tether between us, reaching out to feel her presence, but her shields are up. Maybe she doesn’t want me to feel her nerves.
Finally, she reaches the stairs leading to the stage. I step forward, extending my hand to her. The moment she takes it, the world narrows to the two of us. The magical connection between us ignites, and I feel her essence, her love, her power.
It’s me and her.
Lyra and I stand facing each other, Drew to my right and our friends and family seated to my left. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, streams of warm sunlight shooting across the terrace in long beams as the sun begins its descent from the sky, and candles flicker to life all around us.
Drew’s voice breaks the silence, jolting me back to reality.
“Welcome, honored guests, to a ceremony unlike any other. Today we gather not merely to witness a union but to celebrate a convergence of destinies, a merging of souls forged in the fires of fate. Under the watchful eyes of our gods, we honor the love that binds Colton and Lyra. This is a ceremony of blood and spirit, where life forces entwine and two hearts beat as one. Through blood, we acknowledge the sacrifices made and the strength shared. Through the bonding of souls, we embrace the eternal bond that transcends the physical realm.”
She pauses, her gaze moving from me to Lyra then back to the crowd. Her voice hangs in the air, a palpable magic surrounding us.
“As we begin, let us remember that love is the most potent magic of all, capable of transforming darkness into light and despair into hope. Let us now complete the ceremony that will forever bind these two souls as one,” she finishes, her voice carrying across the terrace.
“I understand the two of you would like to say a few words to each other with all of us as your witnesses before blood is shared,” Drew says. Lyra and I nod in unison.
“Colton, please go first,” Drew says.
I take a slow, steadying breath, stepping forward and taking both of Lyra’s hands in mine. Her hands are warm and soft, grounding me in this surreal moment. I glance down at our joined hands then back up to her eyes. In this moment, it’s me and her.
“Lyra,” I begin, exhaling slowly, “standing here with you today, I am reminded of all the moments that brought us to this point. You are the most resilient person I have ever known. Through every trial, every shadow, and every obstacle, you have emerged stronger, refusing to let the darkness define you. Instead, you shape it, turning it into something beautiful and powerful.
“Your magic, though dark and mysterious, is a testament to your strength and will. But what makes you truly remarkable is your heart. No matter how dark the path, you always choose to do good. Your soul shines with a light that no shadow can dim. You are a beacon of hope, not only for me but for everyone who is fortunate enough to know you.”
I pause, squeezing her hands slightly and watching her eyes glisten with fresh tears. I take a deep steadying breath and continue.
“We share a love for creatures, and I have seen your empathy and kindness extend to even the smallest beings. Your compassion is boundless, and your ability to see the beauty in everything, even in the darkest places, inspires me every day .
“You are incredibly beautiful, both inside and out. Your strength, your kindness, your unwavering spirit—these are the things that make you who you are. And it is these qualities that have captured my heart completely.
“Today, I vow to stand by your side through every storm, every dark day and every unseen challenge that lies ahead. I vow to support you, to protect you, and to love you with everything I am. Our bond is more than just a connection; it is a merging of souls. You make me better, and I promise to cherish you, to honor you, and to never take for granted the incredible gift that is your love.
“My shadow, my dark enchantress, my heart, my soul, my mate, my everything—I am yours, now and forever, in this life and the next.”
A wave of emotion washes over me. I never thought I could feel so vulnerable yet so strong at the same time. Looking into Lyra’s eyes, I see the same intensity and love mirrored back at me. It’s like the entire world has faded away, leaving the two of us standing in this sacred space.
My heart races as I think about everything we’ve been through. Every challenge, every moment of doubt, every dark day has led us to this moment. She has been my anchor, my light in the darkness, and now I am hers.
“Now, Lyra, what would you like to say to Colton?” Drew asks, bringing our focus back.
Lyra takes a deep breath, her eyes locking onto mine. “Colton, before you came into my life, I was in a dark place, broken and unsure of how to piece myself back together. But you didn’t just help me put those pieces back together—you showed me how to rebuild myself.”
I watch as her lips part and her tongue flicks out to wet them before she inhales and continues. “No matter how much I pushed you away, you stuck by me. You healed my heart and made it whole again. Your strength and love made me stronger, and every good quality I have, I owe to you being by my side and believing in me. Your love has given me the courage to face my inner demons, not only to overcome them but to harness that darkness for good.”
She pauses, pressing her lips together as a single tear streams down her face. Chepi swoops in and licks her cheek, nudging her with his nose, causing a sweet smile to spread across her face. My heart swells, seeing her strength and vulnerability combined.
“I was so afraid of prophecies and making the right choice, but then I realized it was never about who is the light and who is the dark, because to me, you will always be my light. I can’t imagine a world or realm where you’re not by my side. I would rather suffer an eternity of night with you than the most beautiful day in the sunshine alone.”
She stops, and I squeeze her hands, letting her know it’s okay. I want her to say everything she needs to say. Right now, we’re in our own bubble.
“You are my person, and I vow to stand by your side and love you with my entire being for all of eternity because my heart belongs to you. There is no me without you. I am ready to bond our souls together because you are my soulmate and we are destined to be together. True fated mates, my soul recognizes your soul.
“Colton, my heart, my soul, my light in the darkness—I am yours, now and always. Let’s start our forever today and follow each other into the darkness if that be our fate.”
She finishes, her voice filled with unwavering love and conviction. I feel a profound sense of completeness wash over me. This is our moment, our eternity beginning now.