21. Chapter 21
Julia
I can’t believe we pulled through.
The first light of dawn creeps through the windows of Windfall Manor, painting the bridal suite in soft pinks and golds. I stand at the window, watching the sun's reflection shimmer across the bay below.
My body aches in all the right places from my night with Adrian and I’m strangely at peace. It hurt deeply to learn that Courtney and Vera worked together to bring me down, but it also gave me a new perspective on what happened.
For the longest time, I thought I wasn’t strong enough to run my own company. I thought I needed someone else at my side to help me. But now? I faced betrayal and sabotage and I know I’m strong enough.
And I know I’m not alone.
My fingers drift to the mating mark on my neck, remembering the fierce protectiveness in Adrian's eyes when he found me after apprehending Vera and Courtney. The way he held me, his body still warm from the shift, his hands holding me with gut-wrenching care.
"You're safe," he had whispered against my hair. "They'll never hurt you again. It’s all over now."
The recovered tiara sits on a velvet cushion beside Seraphina's wedding gown, emeralds catching the first rays of sunlight. I run my finger lightly over the delicate metalwork, marveling at how something so beautiful could have caused so much chaos in my life.
A soft knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. I straighten my shoulders, pushing my personal feelings aside and pasting a professional smile on my lips.
"Come in," I call, turning away from the window.
Seraphina enters, her violet scales gleaming in the morning light. Her eyes are bright with excitement and nervous energy.
"Good morning," she says, her wings gently flapping. "I couldn't sleep any longer. Is it too early to start?"
I check my watch and smile. "Not at all. The makeup artist will be here in thirty minutes, but the beautician is here for your scale treatments."
As I help Seraphina settle into the preparation routine, the beautician begins applying the special oils that make dragon scales gleam .
"I can't thank you enough for what you did," Seraphina says as the beautician works the oil into the scales along her shoulders. "Recovering the tiara, after everything that happened. Percy told me some of it, though I suspect he left out the more dangerous parts."
I focus on making sure the oil is evenly distributed, deflecting the praise professionally.
"I was just doing my job, nothing more."
"You and I both know that’s not true." Seraphina turns her head to look at me. "You went above and beyond on every single detail. It’s even more impressive when we know your assistant was actively working to sabotage you."
I don't answer immediately, feeling the hollow ache that Courtney's betrayal has left inside me. I haven't fully processed what happened. My focus has been entirely on ensuring today's perfection, but I’m sure it will hit me once the adrenaline of the day wears off.
"I’m really sorry Courtney betrayed you like that," Seraphina says gently. "Percy told me that it was all orchestrated by your old boss. Is that right?"
I give her a brief, edited account that focuses on the successful recovery rather than the personal betrayal.
"The important thing is that we recovered the tiara and the culprits have been apprehended," I conclude. "Today is about your happiness. Everything else can wait."
Seraphina reaches out and squeezes my hand, her grip surprisingly gentle for someone with such strength.
"You're remarkable, Julia Schroeder. Percy and I are lucky to have found you. "
The door opens again, and the room suddenly fills with activity as makeup artists, hair stylists, and Seraphina's grandmother arrive. I slip out of the room to allow Silverine and Seraphina privacy. They don’t need me there anymore.
I walk around the grounds, focusing on my professional role, directing the flow of the morning. I love this. This is the best part of my job, seeing the results of months of preparation come together into a seamless, wonderful day.
Time passes slowly in a succession of small events and I lose myself in my job.
"The orchid arrangements need to be brought out of refrigeration two hours before the ceremony, not a minute earlier," I tell a staff member as I move through the manor. "And please remind the string quartet that they start at exactly four p.m."
I check every detail personally, the flower arrangements being placed just so, the procession music being rehearsed one final time, the catering staff arranging delicate appetizers on silver trays. The familiar rhythm of wedding preparations soothes me.
Throughout the morning, I catch glimpses of Adrian, directing security personnel at the main entrance, speaking with dragon elders near the ceremony site, checking identification at the security checkpoint. Each time our eyes meet across the room, something warm unfurls in my chest.
A promise of later. Of us.
I pause at the entrance to the ballroom, watching guests begin to arrive, the shimmer of dragon scales in every color imaginable, the sparkle of selkie skin catching the light .
"Ms. Schroeder?" A staff member touches my elbow. "Mr. Ashbane is asking for you."
I find Percy in one of the manor's sitting rooms that has been converted into a groom's preparation area.
He stands tall in his formal attire, wearing a suit cut from fabric that moves with his broad shoulders, designed specially to allow for the flight off the cliff at the conclusion of the ceremony.
"Julia." He smiles when he sees me, though his hands continue nervously adjusting his cuffs. "Is everything proceeding according to schedule?"
"Perfectly," I assure him. "Seraphina looks stunning. The guests are arriving. The weather is cooperating."
At precisely four p.m., I take my position at the back of the aisle as guests settle into their seats on the cliffside terrace. I watch as Percy takes his place beneath the arch, his golden scales reflecting the late afternoon light.
Silverine Draak makes her entrance, leaning on a jeweled cane but walking proudly, her injury from days before much improved. She nods regally at me as she passes.
Then Seraphina appears at the top of the aisle, and a collective gasp ripples through the gathering. The bride is radiant in her custom gown, the tiara gleaming against her shining pale scales. The dress itself seems alive, hugging her generous curves and highlighting her sculptural beauty.
I feel a surge of pride as I watch Seraphina glide down the aisle. Despite everything—the sabotage, the theft, the betrayal—this moment is perfect. This is why I do what I do. This is what makes every struggle worthwhile .
The dragon ceremony is both familiar and alien, vows exchanged, promises made, and love declared for everyone to hear. Percy tells his bride they will fly together through storms and sunshine. Seraphina vows to guard Percy’s flame until the stars burn out.
I find myself unexpectedly moved, blinking back tears that threaten to ruin my professional composure.
At the key moment, Percy and Seraphina join hands, then open their wings wide, scales shimmering, membranes unfurling with a soft whisper of movement. They stretch their wings in unison, tips touching.
The officiant pronounces them mated for life, and Percy and Seraphina turn around, wide smiles on their faces, then jump off the cliff.
I know dragons can fly, I’ve seen it. Still, my heart jumps all the way to my throat when the bride and groom disappear into the abyss, only to reappear a moment later, flying together, joined by the hands. They circle the guests three times before landing back on the platform.
The dragons among the guests release controlled bursts of flame that shoot skyward in celebration. The sight is spectacular, streams of fire in gold and red twining together against the deepening blue of the evening sky.
The reception transitions seamlessly from ceremony to celebration, just as planned. The ballroom glows with candlelight, tables arranged precisely, centerpieces drawing appreciative murmurs from guests who don't realize how close the event came to disaster.
I move through the space, checking details, resolving minor issues before they become problems. A selkie elder needs his water refreshed more frequently.
The temperature needs adjusting to accommodate both the heat-loving dragons and the cold-preferring ice sprites.
The band needs guidance on when to transition from dinner music to dancing.
Then it’s all over. The guests are dancing, the cake has been eaten.
Well done , I tell myself. Well done.
At some point, Adrian comes to find me.
"You've performed miracles today," he says softly.
I turn to find him watching me with undisguised admiration. His uniform has been replaced by a formal suit that emphasizes his broad shoulders and lean strength. My heart does a ridiculous little flip in my chest at how gorgeous he is.
"I had help," I reply with a small smile. "Particularly from a certain sheriff who can turn into a wolf when needed."
Adrian's eyes darken at the memory, the green in them seeming to glow slightly. He takes my hand, interlacing our fingers.
"Come with me," he says. "Just for a few minutes. Everything here is perfect, they won't miss you."
I hesitate, glancing around at the reception, still in full swing.
"Trust me," he adds, his thumb stroking across my knuckles. "The world won't end if you take fifteen minutes for yourself."
He's right, I realize. Everything is running smoothly. The newlyweds are surrounded by adoring friends and family. The music fills the air, and the dance floor is full.
"Fifteen minutes," I agree, allowing him to lead me away from the reception, into the quiet hush of the rose garden where silver moonlight bathes the blooms in ethereal light .
In the garden, surrounded by the sweet perfume of roses and the distant sound of celebration, I finally ask the question that's been weighing on me.
"Do you have any more news about Courtney and Vera?"
Adrian guides me to a stone bench nestled among the roses. The moonlight illuminates his face, highlighting the strong lines of his jaw, the concern in his eyes.
"Vera Castell has a history," he says gently. "Once we had her name, it didn't take long for investigators to uncover a pattern of scams and sabotage. This wasn't her first time destroying someone's career for profit. Or stealing from a client and blaming someone else."
"How many others?" I ask, a chill running through me despite the warm evening.
"At least three that we know of. She's facing serious charges: theft, arson, conspiracy, attempted murder. Enough to guarantee a long prison sentence."
I nod slowly, processing this information. Part of me feels vindicated, knowing that Vera will finally face consequences for what she did to me in New York and what she tried to do here in Saltford Bay.
"And Courtney?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady despite the raw wound of betrayal.
Adrian takes my hand, his touch warm and comforting.
"She's cooperating fully. She's turned over evidence, given a complete confession. Her testimony will be crucial in putting Vera away." He pauses. "But if Vera has a history with the law, Courtney has an even longer one. She’s a career con-artist, Julia. She’s done stints all over the country for at least five years, getting people to trust her, then betraying them. She’s an accomplished hacker and she lost no time hacking into the security system. That’s how she got the combination to the safe, how she managed to keep her tracks hidden.
She did this long before you even met her. "
"I should have sensed something was wrong," I say quietly. “Part of this is my fault.”
"No, it’s not," Adrian growls. "You trusted them both because that’s the kind of person you are. Trusting and kind and hardworking. None of this is your fault."
I nod, surprising myself with my own response.
"I just hope she learns from it."
Adrian studies me with a mixture of pride and admiration.
"You're a better woman than most," he says softly, touching my face with gentle fingers.
He leads me deeper into the garden, where the crashing sea can be heard through the rose hedges. The salt air mingles with the floral scents, creating a unique perfume that I've come to associate with Saltford Bay. With home.
"What happens now?" Adrian asks quietly, turning to face me. The moonlight silvers his dark hair and catches in his green eyes. "What do you want, Julia?"
I pause, taking in the moment, the moonlight on roses, the distant music from the ballroom, the way Adrian looks at me like I'm the only person in the world who matters.
"I love my job," I tell him honestly. "I won't give it up. But I can build a life here in Saltford Bay, base my company here, travel for events only when necessary, and always come home to you."
I reach up to touch his face, tracing the strong line of his jaw .
"If you can deal with a mate who's on the road now and then, I think I could be the happiest woman alive."
Adrian's eyes shine with emotion. He catches my hand and presses a kiss to my palm. Above us, a dual roar shatters the night as Seraphina and Percy take flight as newlyweds for their honeymoon, two shimmering dragons soaring over the cliffs into the moonlit sky.
"All I care about is your happiness," he tells me. "Wherever your career takes you, I'll be right here when you come home."
Adrian turns me toward him and kisses me, slow and deep, his hands cradling my face like I'm something precious. The sea crashes against the cliffs below, the roses bloom around us, and in that moment, I know with absolute certainty. I'm home.