Chapter 41
The wonder lies in the way the Gods created so many phenomena in this world. Never without intention, never without purpose. Their power lies in their exactness. Never with error, never with challenge.
“You’re wonderful,” Cedric says, kissing my hand gently. We’ve been apparating about over the forest all morning. Surprisingly, I’m faster. But Cedric thinks it’s because of the cess powers in me. I think it’s because I’m simply better.
“Wonderful? That’s an interesting compliment. What do I make you wonder about, Ced?” Our eyes lock and my stomach drops. Sometimes he looks at me as if I hold the world in my hands.
“I find wonder in your personality, your spirit, to be concise,” he says. “But I could go on for ages, if you’d like.”
“I’d like,” I whisper. I realize now our hands are still intertwined.
“The wonder in your smile,” he murmurs, eyes dropping to my obvious grin.
“The way your lips pout when you’re upset with me.
It’s wondrous the effect it has. There is wonder in your voice.
How you can command the cess and remain poised is a marvel.
You’re more than a commander. A true leader takes years of honing, but the position was simply meant for you. ”
I scoot closer, my body wanting to be as close to him as possible.
Our bodies seem to spark when we touch. It could be the cess magic but I think it is something else.
One hundred years as something… more than childhood friends can do that.
Sometimes I wonder if we will ever take the next step.
It’s expected, by formality, but part of my heart believes it’s deeper than that. At least for me.
“You treat me too well,” I say, unsure of what else I could muster. My blush is apparent. “Do you also find wonder when I kick your ass in a duel?” I try to shift the tone, the tension in the air.
Cedric sucks in a sharp breath and breaks eye contact, chuckling. “You wish.”
I’ve got him this time, I think as I hang from the rafters of our room. We only formally moved into shared quarters last week as our parents sanctioned it with the upcoming ceremonies. My legs are so sore but I hear his steps down the hall. Why he chooses to walk, I do not know.
The door swings open and I still, watching him cross the space to his liquor cabinet. Hard day, huh? He pours a small glass of dark liquor with his back to me. I let my fangs show, ready to scare the daylights out of him when he holds a finger up, as if pausing me.
“Elivienne, you breathe louder than a horse.”
I drop, landing on the stone floor swiftly. “Oh come on, I thought I had you!”
Cedric downs his drink and crosses the floor to me with a predatory pace.
“You have me, believe that.” He sweeps me up and onto the bed, wrapping my legs around his torso.
“And are your fangs meant to be scary? I’m to be a vampyr king.
Surely such a fine face like yours could not frighten me,” he murmurs as he kisses the column of my throat.
My breath catches and my stomach heats under his firm touch. “Well, it was just the element of surprise, I suppose.”
Cedric murmurs as his gaze finds my face again. “Come with me.”
We vanish and appear at the lake in the forest. Our lake. Some of the villagers frequent here in the warmer months but we find beauty year round. With the snow lightly falling, the scenery is magical.
Cedric releases me and I marvel at the flakes, placing my hand out to catch one.
With my vampyr abilities, the light hits them splendidly.
Sometimes I feel so lucky to live this life with Cedric by my side.
We’re fighting for the rights of lesser populations, trying to reform Lux.
Soon we’ll bring our plans to the High Council.
The stress between us both is apparent, so a change of scenery was needed.
“Are you worried?” I ask, catching a few flakes and observing them. I can feel him behind me.
“Never.”
“I worry,” I admit, looking at the subtle differences between the two in my hand. Each one, so unique. “The future of your reign relies on these advances.”
“Elivienne.”
“I will support you,” I say, tears welling up in my eyes. “You have my unwavering passion because it matters and if we fail, we will try and try again.”
“Elivienne,” Cedric whispers this time.
I turn to face him. “Promise me yo—”
Cedric kneels before me, a silver and golden band with a black diamond in his palm. The two metals twist around one another with faint stars casted. My heart jumps.
“Elivienne,” he whispers, clearing his throat.
“No amount of time will ever be enough. My love for you surpasses the limits of our life and I will be a damned fool if I do not make it known that you are more than a duty, a title.
You are my soul. Find a star, I will gather it for you.
Pick a task and I will do it. Anything you ask, my world is yours. My will is yours.
“Love can be fickle for some. It can be hard. But with you, everything is easy. I love you most dearly, Elivienne. Without question, without faltering, I ask you to be my wife. You always speak of my reign, but it will be ours.”
Am I breathing? Tears run down my face and I fall to my knees, shaking with emotion. Shaking with love. I nod and laugh through my tears.
“Yes?” he breathes. I nod again. Cedric reaches for me and pulls me to him and we fall to the ground, clutching each other. I breathe him in.