Chapter 21 #2
‘Time to go,’ he said. His voice was rough.
Sonya stood, feeling unsteady as she went to wash her hands, which were indeed incredibly soft. She was ready. She grabbed her shawl, and down they went.
Basma and Arwa were at the front again. ‘Have fun!’ they called, when they spotted her.
Outside, the carriage was already waiting. Compared to the carriage they’d travelled in, it was nice and roomy, especially with just the two of them. Azam looked impressed, running a hand over the fabric of the lining.
They made it to the country estate after an hour long ride and, the entire way over, Sonya looked out the window with wonder, taking everything in.
This part of their kingdom was so different from Castletown!
She saw rolling hills for miles and miles, lush greenery dotted with trees and white sheep and galloping horses. It was all so stunning!
She was excited for the wedding, as well, feeling jittery. When they arrived at the estate, Azam helped her down, and she took in the grand scene. There were carriages on the drive with guests coming out, while more guests were already inside.
Azam offered Sonya his arm and they walked in together. The mansion had been decorated beautifully with huge bouquets of blue forget-me-nots and white wisteria and, as they made their way into the ballroom, the beauty only intensified.
There were chandeliers with lit candles and even more flowers and tables upon tables of delicious food and drink. As they entered, a waiter served them a fizzy drink, and Sonya took a sip, surprised by the flavor: it had apple and elderflower and tasted fruity and floral.
‘This is incredible,’ Sonya said to Azam. She didn’t bother whispering; it was so loud in there with general revelry that nobody would have paid attention to her commentary anyway.
‘It’s surely something.’ Azam looked dazed, and she could see he was worried about the dress, how it would hold against all this finery. She squeezed his arm, and he took a deep breath.
They had a bit of a wait until the couple made their entrance, the smaller ceremony having already taken place.
Everyone was dressed immaculately, and she would have felt more self-conscious in her simple dress if it hadn’t been the perfect disguise.
While she didn’t recognize anyone, there was a chance someone might recognize her.
Dressed as she was, she would easily be overlooked, especially amongst the other ladies.
Finally, it was time for the couple to enter.
When they did, the entire room gasped in delight and awe.
Ximena held her husband’s arm; he was tall with cropped hair and dark skin, handsome in a sharp gray suit.
And Ximena … even though Sonya had seen the dress before, the final effect was truly something.
It was groundbreaking, unlike anything she had ever seen before. The way the fabric was gathered and draped and stitched … Every time Ximena moved it looked like a waterfall cascading, and it caught the eye.
Sonya looked up at Azam, mouth agape. ‘That day by the lake,’ she breathed, realizing.
Azam smiled. ‘Yes. You could say I was inspired.’
Ximena’s husband twirled her as they made it to the front of the ballroom. Ximena grinned as he pulled her into his arms. They both looked so happy. The music swelled, and suddenly, Sonya was overwhelmed with joy and longing. She wanted this—to have what Ximena and her husband had.
She glanced over at Azam and was struck by the overwhelming realization that she loved him. Her heart squeezed painfully, and then it was like she could finally breathe, like swimming up to shore after being underwater, gulping in fresh air.
The truth had been so obvious all along! She loved him!
She could so easily imagine being married to him, building a life with him. Suddenly, there was nothing she wanted more than to be his; for him to be hers, forever.
Sonya pressed a hand to her chest, catching her breath. ‘The dress,’ she sputtered, losing her nerve. ‘It’s magnificent.’
Azam smiled. ‘I am glad she is happy. I put a dash of magic in there, too, so she wouldn’t be stressed. I wish for her to enjoy today.’ Then Azam’s gaze softened. ‘I wish for us to enjoy today, too,’ he said.
‘I already am,’ she replied, with a smile.
It was time for them to take their seats for the banquet, and the guests dispersed. Sonya and Azam were seated at a table at the back of the huge room.
After everyone sat down, there was a speech from Ximena’s father, thanking the guests for attending; then a speech from the groom’s sister, wishing the happy couple the best. There were a few fun performances: a shepherd-witch with a group of goats jumping through a course; then a garden-witch made vines spread across the ceiling, flowers blooming before everyone’s eyes, white petals showering down; and last, a quill-witch recited a beautiful poem that moved Sonya to tears.
She didn’t know what it was about this wedding, but she couldn’t get a grasp on her emotions.
Azam caught her crying, and a crease appeared between his brows. ‘What is it?’ he asked, voice low. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘It’s just … they’re so happy,’ Sonya said. She finished with a little laugh, blinking, but a few tears escaped, nonetheless.
Azam pulled his handkerchief from his pocket, gently wiping her cheeks. She released a shaking breath, closing her eyes. She was filled with a longing to throw her arms around him, but she knew that wasn’t how these things worked.
But surely societal rules didn’t matter, not in the face of what she felt for him?
He had to feel it too. She hadn’t imagined all those moments between them, and not just desire, his hands lingering on her thighs, his gaze skipping to her lips behind the waterfall.
Moments flashed through her mind, moments big and small, magical and mundane, leading all the way back to that first night: him holding out his hand for her in the rain as he saved her in so many different ways.
As if he could sense her thoughts, he offered her his hand again, and she took it. He entwined their fingers, and warmth spread through her.
Then, the courses of food were brought out, along with drinks.
They had a bright spring salad made of asparagus, toasted pistachios, greens, and radishes, topped with a basil-lemon dressing along with a ginger mint drink, sharp and fizzy.
Then came slices of bread with creamy goat cheese and sweet slices of peach, a cold green pea soup, and roasted lamb glistening with herby butter, along with a cucumber and lime juice, fresh and sour.
Everything was divine, spectacularly made by no doubt an entire team of kitchen-witches.
After lunch, the cake was brought out; it was blueberry and white chocolate.
Ximena and Kellan sliced it together, feeding each other.
Kellan kissed Ximena’s fingers, licking the icing off, and Sonya had to look away.
But it only made her look at Azam. If he was in a room, it was impossible not to look at him.
She suspected that she had loved him for some time, but it had just become startlingly clear to her now, in a way that left no room for doubt.
She needed to tell him the truth about everything.
She didn’t want to hurt him, and surely finding out that she had deceived him would hurt. But she couldn’t lie to him any longer. Fear bounded through her, but then she remembered Winnie’s advice.
Be brave.
Sonya turned to Azam just as he stood up.
He offered her his hand. ‘May I have this dance?’