Chapter 27
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
NISSA
The gold-framed floor length mirror reflects the most beautiful dress back at me.
The straps are made from the same lace that covers the front bodice of the dress.
The delicate vine runs over my shoulders and down my back before meeting right above my lower back.
I run my hands down my hips along the deep green fabric that is fitted down my legs before flaring out into a perfect mermaid cut.
The guilt that has been pressing in on me since I first decided to leave has eased.
I know this is the right thing. I have to trust Gaia.
I have to trust that the divine bond will be there.
That I will be happy at the end of all of this.
But even if I’m not, Castara will begin to heal, and I will survive.
All this tragedy-—Nova’s death, the destruction of the elemental lands, me believing I could run and have a normal life—all started because of Fae believing that they knew better than the Goddess, trying to change fate.
And look where it has led us. I won’t make the same mistakes. I may not be trained to be the queen like Nova, but I can do better than those before us and bring the kingdom back to what it’s supposed to be. Well, as close as it is can be with Nova gone.
Staring at the princess in the mirror in front of me, I keep reminding myself that I can stop the damage, help bring back the natural energy of this world, despite the fact that I am still dreading this.
The ancient sanctuary is the most breathtaking place I’ve ever seen.
Walls with soaring gothic arches match those inside the castle.
The open ceiling exposes everything to the night sky.
The fun moon and the stars light my way, assisted by fae fire candles that help illuminate the winding stone path to the altar.
Ivy grows up the walls, trees pregnant with buds hang down over the walkway.
Streams wind in and out of the beautiful flowering bushes on either side of the path.
The sound of trickling water meets my ears, and the delicate floral scent fills my nose.
As I stare at the stars reflecting in the stream running through the ancient haven, I realize they are actually luminescent fish, playfully following my path.
Everywhere I can possibly look is a divine representation of all four of Gaia’s elements within the space.
Breathing in the energy from this space is intoxicating, my magic feeling stronger than ever.
I can see Caspien approaching from the opposite side, and a chill runs down my exposed spine. Each step towards him feels like I’m a lamb being led to slaughter.
I have to believe that I’m right.
I can bring peace to the Fae.
I will be a strong, fearless queen.
I hold my head high and refuse to show any fear that I could be wrong.
I almost miss a step when I spot Cillian at the edge of the altar, standing with Kiel and Isolde.
He is the perfect image of male masculinity.
My stomach muscles contract and my magic reaches out for him as I watch him run his hands through his hair.
My eyes quickly snap to the stairs I’m approaching, resisting the pull.
I will be a strong, fearless queen.
But I’m not stupid. I know that I can’t make eye contact with Cillian unless I want my resolve disintegrating into dust. He trusts that I know what I’m doing but fears I could be wrong. But this is my calling and the bond will be there. The bond has to be there.
I feel the wind beginning to pick up as I start to ascend the steps to where Caspien and I will meet.
I finally make it to the top of the cracked steps that every Queen of Solevara before me has mounted. The sobering honor constricts my heart further. The wind fills me as I move forward.
I will bring peace back to the Fae. We will bring peace back to the Fae.
Caspien is dressed in a stark black suit with a matching shirt. I have to admit he pulls off the look well, even if he isn’t the prince I know should be walking towards.
His eyes glow, gleaming like his gaze could burn the whole place down. He’s emitting power, even more than normal, but something feels off about it. The energy feels different from the elements around us, from the magic I feel in my own body trying to fight to get out. I want to jerk my hands free.
As the full moon slowly shifts into place directly above our heads, the wind begins blowing, the bottom of my dress flowing in the breeze.
It’s swirling around us, the rest of the sanctuary untouched.
The moon’s light is shining brighter than I’ve ever seen, and my whole body feels like it’s beginning to vibrate.
I close my eyes and breathe in the wind. I have faith in what’s to come. I trust Gaia.
I will be a strong, fearless queen. We will bring peace to the Fae.
My magic seems to settle in my fingertips, and I let out a small sigh.
I inhale deeply as Cillian’s familiar scent swirls around me, caught up in the wind. Before I can relax into it, my magic surges up my arms towards my chest.
Caspien is curiously taking me in, unaffected by the energy that our Goddess is surrounding us with.
The divine bond clicking into place is supposed to be the first step.
I fill my lungs again and am engulfed by the scent of fresh spring water.
I can instantly feel exactly where Cillian is.
An invisible force is urging me towards him.
My knees go weak as the divine bond wash over every cell in my body. My magic is thrilled. My eyes fill with joyful tears as I look away from Caspien to Cillian.
Caspien follows my gaze to his twin. Heat courses through my body with each pump of my heart. Turning back to face Caspien, I brace for his anger—or shock. Instead, his mouth curls into the slightest smirk when he meets his brother’s gaze.
It’s all the confirmation I need. Caspien knew.
I smile straight at my divine mate—Cillian.