Chapter 54
"My Lady, you are absolutely glowing today," Kezi said, beaming at her in the mirror as she brushed and braided her hair into a half crown around her head. "You and Lord Rhyel must've had a lovely night after you left us."
"No, not really, but we had a good talk this morning," Sana said, smiling as she looked down at her ring and twisted it around her finger. "Rhyel shared some things with me that made me happy."
"Oh?" Kezi said, raising an eyebrow. "Did my Lord confess his undying love for you?"
"Kezi!" Eula hissed, slamming the iron on the table. "You can't go asking my Lady things like that."
"It's okay, Eula." Sana laughed. "I don't mind Kezi asking."
"I know, but it's still uncouth of her to ask," Eula huffed as she picked up the iron and a curious gleam twinkled in her brown eyes. "So... was that what my Lord told you, then?"
"Ha!" Kezi pointed her comb at Eula. "You wanted to know too, you ol' snoop!"
Sana couldn't contain her laughter as Kezi and Eula bickered over who was the nosiest out of the two.
She was lucky to be blessed with maids she considered her friends and maybe one day, she'd consider them family now that she knew, without a doubt, that she would always have a home and somewhere to belong.
Her laughter crumbled into a sob as realization washed over her that she was free. She never had to cower in fear of her siblings or her father and there was truly nothing they could do or say to take this life from her.
"Oh, my Lady," Eula said with concern dripping in her voice as she crossed the room to her. "Why are you crying, love?"
"I'm j-just happy," she said, smiling through her tears. "I'm happy I'm here." She wrapped her arms around Eula and Kezi, hugging them tight. "I'm so happy I never have to say goodbye to you."
"Lady Sana," Eula said, rubbing her back. "Why would you ever have to do that?"
"It's a long story," she said, pulling away from them and dabbing her cheeks. "But I thought my brother could break the alliance between our Houses and take me away from all of you."
Kezi snorted. "Lord Rhyel would never let anyone take you away from Darcanos, unless you wished for it."
Sana nodded, laughing softly. "That's what he said." She rubbed her thumb against her ring as it hummed against her skin. "Then he showed me proof that I'm no longer bound to my family and now that we're engaged, I'm free to live my life as I choose."
Eula took her hand, squeezing it gently. "And even if you weren't engaged to my Lord, he'd still make it so you'd be free to live your life as you wish," she said with her brown eyes swimming with joy. "He truly cares for you, my Lady."
"He does and I can see that now," she said, shaking her head as she wiped a stray tear from her face. "But he still thinks he needs to prove himself to me."
"That's because he does," Kezi said, tilting her head to the side. "You're the Lady of Darcanos, future General and for all intents and purposes, the future Luna of the pack."
"That's right." Eula patted her hand. "Lord Rhyel proposed to you and as Alpha, he must do everything in his power to ensure you will always choose him and the people of Darcanos." She frowned. "I'm sure you've read about this in the history books."
"I have." Sana's heart thumped and simmered at the thought of what 'everything in his power' entailed. "But I thought that only applied when an Alpha found his true mate."
Eula shook her head as a grin curled over her lips. "True mate or not, that is our tradition."
"Oh," she murmured. "I...I didn't realize that."
Did that mean, everything in his power meant... love? Was he even capable of falling in love if he was cursed? And...even if he was, would she know how to love him back?
"Mm-hm, and today is your first official courting," Kezi said, clapping her hands. "Oh, I wish I could be a fly on the wall." She sighed. "You're going to have such a lovely time."
"Yes, I'm sure we will," Sana said, curling her fingers around her dragon's breath as a smile tugged at her lips.
It didn't matter if love didn't blossom between them, she was just happy to know that he cared for her and she cared about him. That was all she could hope for as the wife of a cursed Alpha.
You look beautiful, little flame.
Sune fluttered around her head as he tucked a small cluster of tiny gold dusted flowers in her hair that matched her broach nestled between the 'v' of her silken rose and gold trimmed dress.
"Thank you, Sune," Sana said, biting her lip. "I'm a little nervous. I'm not sure where we're going or what we're going to do."
That doesn't matter. Just enjoy yourself today. I'm sure Lord Rhyel has a wonderful day planned for you.
She nodded and her heart thumped as a soft knock sounded at the door. "Oh goodness, he's here," she said, smoothing a hand over herself and glancing in the mirror to ensure she hadn't smudged her make-up and her curls were still in their elegantly braided crown.
"You look perfect, my Lady," Eula said while Kezi opened the door.
"My Lord." Kezi bowed. "Have you come to collect my Lady for your date?"
"I have, but I'm happy to wait if she's not ready yet."
Kezi looked over at Sana, smiling. "My Lady, are you ready?"
"Yes." Sana took a deep breath as she crossed the room and her heart stuttered, skipped and tripped a beat as she gazed at Rhyel filling the doorframe. "I'm...I'm ready."
A warm rippling tingle pooled in her gut as her eyes trailed over his glossy black hair loosely tied with a thin gold ribbon at the base of his neck.
His tailored navy suit hinted at the curve and slope of his thick muscles while swirls of gold lace dusted the ends of his cuffs and trailed up the lapels of his jacket.
A silk rose cravat that matched her dress was tied in an intricate knot and tucked into his double breasted waistcoat.
Gods, he was a beautiful man.
Rhyel's blue eyes lit up and a smile graced his lips as he stepped into the room, taking her hand. "You look radiant, my Lady," he said, bringing her hand to his lips. "I'm honored to spend this day with you."
A blush burned over her cheeks that this dashing Lord wanted to prove his worth to her. "And I'm looking forward to spending it with you."
"Good," he said, tucking her hand in the crook of his arm. "Shall we?"
She nodded. "We shall."
"Have a wonderful time," Eula said as she and Kezi bowed to them.
"We won't wait up for you," Kezi said with a teasing gleam in her eyes as she winked. "Enjoy yourselves."
The blush scorching Sana's cheeks burned up to her ears as Rhyel chuckled, clearing his throat. "Thank you, Kezi, Eula," he said, nodding to them before guiding her out of the room.
"Ah, that Kezi." Rhyel shook his head as he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. "She is—"
"Cheeky." Sana finished for him as a laugh tumbled out of her mouth. "But I love her."
Rhyel joined in her laughter. "Our home wouldn't be the same without her," he said as they strolled down the hall to the grand staircase. "But it's nice to see you so happy like this."
Sana smiled up at him. "It's hard not to be," she said, squeezing his arm. "You've given me a wonderful gift."
"No." Rhyel halted their steps and turned to her.
"Your autonomy is your right," he said, curling his fingers under her chin.
"That wasn't a gift, Sana." He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip and the tenderness swirling in his soft blue eyes stoked the ache she felt for more than his teasing caresses.
"Today is the gift and my wish is for you to get used to days like this. "
Her breath hitched as she slid a hand over her beating heart. "You're doing it again."
"Doing what?" he murmured.
"Looking at me like you desire me," she whispered.
Rhyel chuckled softly. "Because I do." He pressed a soft kiss against her cheek. "But that's not all I want from you."
She swallowed to wet her dry throat and calm her pounding heart at his admission. "What... what do you want?"
He smiled, leaning away from her. "I hope I can show you that today," he said, holding his arm out to her. "Come. I don't want us to be late for our reservation."
"O-okay," she said, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm as her heart bubbled with a giddy excitement. "Where are we going?"
He grinned with a playful gleam shining in his eyes. "You'll see."