Chapter 36
Chapter
Thirty-Six
MAX
As a child, I would read late at night when the village would sleep, and fantasize about the hero who would love me, save me and accept me for what I was.
He would be brave and loyal, and wouldn’t fear me.
As I grew older, those dreams morphed into cold realities.
Most people did not want to be around someone they considered evil.
I never thought of marriage or a wedding the older I got. They became old secrets, buried within my mind, long forgotten.
But as I stand here, anticipation stirring at what’s to come, those dreams come roaring back.
Dreams of a perfect dress, the elders blessing the ceremony, calling on the mates Cella and Ger for their blessings.
The flower crown I would wear, handpicked by me and Nafre for the special day. Taylay bearing witness.
None of this is happening today and yet, it’s still perfect.
The long-forgotten garden beside the hut on the edge of the village far from the palace is quiet, misshapen and lovely.
There are weeds blooming, a small spray of blue parrot tulips that were the former queen’s favorite by the edges, surrounded by tired guards and a small, wooden, broken fence.
The night is slowly giving way to red, dawn breaking overhead. Fee goes through her mother’s old clothing, nothing decorative or opulent but well-worn and cherished.
She pulls out a dull red dress, the skirt thin and light. When she shakes it out, dust blooms in the room.
“My mother loved this dress,” she tells me, holding it up. “Whenever we came here, she’d always change into it. I think it’s the right dress for the day.”
“It’s perfect,” I promise, smiling. The flowers, some tulips, other long ferns, sit on the dresser, picked by the princess and me as soon as I agreed to the marriage. Another bouquet of herbs meant to evoke happiness was picked by my father, next to it.
I could be taking vows in a closet. The wedding doesn’t matter to me, only that it’s done to help Kaden. To save him. I can’t imagine how exhausted he must be, how taxing it is to stay in this in between—too weak to fully contain the curse but not done fighting to succumb.
The Fae in question prowls through the garden, wincing every so often. He still fights and because of that, I hurry to take the dress.
“My mother would approve,” she comments, helping me slid the torn nightgown and step into the new outfit. She pull the edges tight, tying them with a flourish. “I’ll braid your hair.”
I do as instructed, sitting on the bed as she sections off three pieces of my hair.
She braids two strips against my skull before nimble fingers add a third.
“It’s a tradition for the Dark Fae for the marrying couple to braid two separate strands, then together into a third to show their bond,” she explains as I gaze out the window.
“Unfortunately, this might be the only tradition we have today.”
“This is as nontraditional of a match as we’ll have, Fee,” I assure her, shrugging.
“I know.” Her brows furrow, finishing the braid behind my ear. “I just had this idea for when you two would marry.”
Smiling gently, I prod. “What did you envision?”
“Nothing ostentatious,” she defends. “Just a small ceremony in the throne room. Both of you crowned. Kaden finally getting the honor he deserved.” She steps back, grabbing the flower wealth.
“He gave the kingdom so much. He should be celebrated.”
Fee places the flowers on my skull, tucking loose hair around the ends to secure it.
“I wanted you to have it too, blood summoner.”
My mouth drops open, cheek warming at her care. “Me?”
She looks to the ground, busying herself to fix the hem of skirt, sliding worn boots to my toes.
Anything but to look at me. “I know how hard it was in that Coven. How alone you felt.” Shrugging, she stands, hand on her sword.
“Kaden never said it, but I know he felt similar. Our kingdom would honor you both. Not be frightened of you. You should get to experience that.”
Tenderness spreads from my chest and outward at Fee’s matter-of-fact words. Her care, her concern for her older brother is palpable, but she’s included me into those who she considers family. I’ve never felt so connected, loved, even when I was with Nafre and Taylay.
Grabbing her hands, I smile. “When this is over, we can do a bigger ceremony. With all the traditions.”
Fee smiles wistfully. “Right. When all this is over.”
We walk together to the exit, her sword still covered in blood. No one has had a moment to change, to think, and yet they’ve come together for this. A speck of something good in a dark world.
My heart soars, even as I stare at my mate.
I pray to Enyo for this to work. For his life to be spared from this curse.
Baris comes up my side, nodding once to Fee. Since I’ve healed, he’s moving more, though gaunt and pale. Wherever he’s been has not been kind to him. “May I have a word with my daughter?”
Fee doesn’t say anything, just gives him a glare of warning before taking her spot in the garden.
Turning to him, he holds my hands, fingers paper thin, scarred and nails dirty.
“This isn’t how I thought your day would go,” he says sadly. “I thought you’d have one good memory before all of this occurred, but as always, the Gods are not always nice to us under their domain.”
“It’s more than I thought I would get.” I shrug. “I expected to be alone.”
“No, little one, you were never alone.” He looks out the door, to the clearing, red sand colored burnt by the encroaching haze, the Hadeon standing guard. “We were always with you. You just didn’t see us.”
Inhaling, I still my nerves. “I have so many questions, so many things to know, but now isn’t the time.” Kaden first, then Baris. Then I would understand everything that’s happened—everything that will happen.
“Unfortunately, not.”
“But I have to ask,” I begin, lips dry. “What did you do for marriages?” I look to my father, holding tight, eyes pleading. He’s a stranger, and yet, I know him, somewhere in my memories, my heart. “How were you and my mother married?”
Baris smiles, his gaunt frame slightly more filled out. “Once, long ago, there was a time when we would thank Enyo for such things.”
I chew on my bottom lip, body still sore from Zelos’ attack. “Enyo? She’s forgotten now.”
Baris nods, gently pulling us into the garden.
“Before the Great War, we used to pray to Enyo before marriages. We would pray to her before we ate and before we found water, even before the birth of a child.” He holds my hands, staring down at the red staining my fingertips.
He smiles softly, seeing my mother’s hands.
“For Enyo is the Goddess of Life, and what is water and food, love and the next generation, but not life?”
“I may be the High Priest of Seti, little one, but I will call for Enyo during your marriage ceremony, like your Coven called during my marriage to your mother. And if she accepts, the marriage will be blessed.”
Big black eyes stare back at me. “You know, you got my hair,” he murmurs, flipping the ends of my long violet-black strands. “But you have your mother’s eyes.” Calloused fingers dust my brow. “And she would get the same look in her eyes when she needed to know something.”
“What did she look like?” I ask, bravely ignoring the pain at her absence. We’re only steps away from Kaden, so close I can feel his heat. “What was she like?” Did she act like me? Did we both smile at night, and hate mornings? Did a piece of her still exist in me?
My father inhales sharply. “She was the fire of the sun, the crashing waves of the ocean and firmness of the soil beneath our feet. Simply put, little one, she was a force of nature. She had big blue eyes, like you,” he smiles sadly, “and she had bright red hair, brighter than a poppy flower. But like all Blut Coven Witches, she had these bright red lips, the color of blood. You inherited that. It’s a sign of your heritage. ”
Sadly, my heart yearns for a mother I don’t remember. “Is it silly to hope for her to still be alive?”
He shakes his head. “No, it’s not. Death is not an easy concept, even for those of us who make it our work.” Baris leans back, studying me. “But I know she’s gone.” Tapping his temple, I understand his meaning.
He was told by Seti when my mother passed.
That final bubble of hope that she could still be out there, bursts in my chest.
“The Gods do things us mortals will never understand. But you were meant to be here, Max. You’re important to everyone.”
“You know of my destiny?” I ask, shifting. The herbs in my hands smell spicy, melting in the early heat of the day.
“I’ve known long before most,” he agrees. “But we will talk of that later. Right now, it’s about you and your mate.”
I look out across the faces, stained in dirt and exhausted. The heir moves to stand at the front, body shifting, beast stirring. I see the war behind his eyes, and he’s failing. I can’t stall any longer—he needs help.
“It would be tradition in a bonding to exchange blood,” my father explains, shifting to the front. “But I understand that’s already occurred. What has transpired should be enough to solidify the connection.”
Baris direct me to stand in the center, holding up his hands. With eyes closed, he murmurs chants under his breath, the air around us picking up speed as the red haze brightens.
Power, ancient and old, surrounds us as the hair on the back of neck stands stiff. A current of something washes over my senses and my eyes close, drifting along with the pull. Kaden growls, wincing with each word, as if it pains him.
Eyes fluttering, I try to step close to offer comfort, but Reid holds me back. “Don’t. Your father is weaving the bond.”
As the words rise up around us, a weight develops around my middle. It’s an anchor chaining my heart across the void to Kaden, who winces against the pressure.
The bond pops, seals with a sizzle as that connection turns heavy. My ears hum, my magic turning vicious as it listens to the hearts around us. But it’s not pain I feel, but the sweet coolness of shadows easing the pull. It surrounds it, soothes it, cooling the fire in my chest.
Kaden hisses, clawing at his chest, his neck as if to remove the hold.
But I know instinctively, the bond has tethered our souls together.
He feels the fury of my magic whereas I feel the calm of his and I focus on that part—that essence that is totally him.
It’s always been there, a steady hand, but now, I grab it and force as much strength into it.
Kaden howls, and falls to his knees, but Reid doesn’t let me move. I stand, watching, Kaden panting as he digs his hands into the sand for stability.
Baris keeps chanting, words growing more feverish as the weight grows heavier, stiffer. It becomes tangible, no longer a floating link as it locks our souls together, a loud clanging in my ears.
Shoving more of my strength into the bond, I feel my magic dwindle. It’s being given to Kaden, allowed into his bond, taking the edge off of me. In its place, I feel the familiarities of his shadows, a coolness that pulls a gasp from my lips.
Before my eyes, the beast form grows weaker, less pronounced.
I’m not sure how much time passes, my father doesn’t stop speaking, and Kaden transforms from the beast back to his Fae form.
The hair sheds, his eyes glow amber, and his body shrinks.
The claws on his hands retract and his hunched body thins out, long and powerful once more.
He lurches forward heaving, screaming into the dirt as the last remains of the curse disappear, back into the confines he created years ago.
I kneel beside him, face smiling, tears falling from my chin. Holding his cheeks, I sob, and laugh all at once.
It’s him, the heir—my mate. He’s back.
Panting, he grabs my throat, pulling us into a messy, dirty kiss, teeth clashing, tongues sweeping. It’s wild and carefree and his other arm wraps around my waist, pulling me flush.
He feels like Kaden again: warm, solid, and comforting.
When he finally pulls away, the crowd cheers, relief high as the tension falls.
“I thought I lost you,” I whisper, tear tracks covering my face. I don’t bother to wipe them away.
“You almost did,” he admits, voice hoarse. “Thank you. For choosing me.”
Brushing the hair from his face, I rub my nose against his, enjoying him here and inside my mind. The bond sits between us, no longer a threat but real. Before, it was painful, a yearning so great, I wanted to rip it out of my chest.
Now, it’s a solid weight like a warm blanket on a cold night. It feels right.
Inside my soul, the black smoke that is Kaden curls as if it can hold me tighter. I find comfort in it. I’ll never be alone now.
Clearing my throat, I bite my lip. “I will always choose you, because you’ve always chosen me.”