30. Lyra
Chapter 30
Lyra
“So what time is the ceremony supposed to start?” Lili asks, expertly weaving a strand of my hair into a braid from behind me.
I’m so happy she’s here. I wasn’t sure she would come after everything that happened in the Sorcerer Realm. Things are much more stable there now though with Bim currently overseeing everything.
“Promptly at 3:30 p.m. That way, the sun will be setting during the reception,” Flora explains, applying a touch of blush to my cheeks.
“That means you’ll probably be completing the ceremony right around the time you were born. How poetic,” Lili muses, securing another braid.
“What time was I born?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“At 4:03 p.m. I remember it like it was yesterday. Hard to believe it’s been nineteen years,” she reflects, and I can’t help but agree. It feels like the first seventeen years dragged on, then the last two flew by, especially this past year.
“There. Now you’re perfect,” Lili announces, securing one last pin in my hair. I turn to the mirror to see her handiwork—my hair cascades in loose waves, crowned with braids interspersed with tiny white flowers. Flora’s makeup enhances my features, giving me dark, dramatic eyes and soft, pink lips.
“I feel beautiful,” I admit, turning to see their reactions.
“That’s because you are beautiful! Now it’s time for your dress!” Flora crow, and Hollie claps excitedly from where she and Chepi are perched on a throw pillow on the couch. I haven’t seen the dress since my last fitting, and the anticipation of showing it to Lili and Hollie, who haven’t yet seen it, fills me with excitement. Only Flora and I know what it looks like.
“Come, I’ll help you get dressed in my room. Then you can come back and show everyone,” Flora says, her excitement palpable as she tugs me out of the room and down the hall.
Once we reach her bedchamber, Flora begins to remove my robe, her hands quick and efficient as she helps me into the dress. Without magic, the process would be a nightmare of laces and ties. Instead, with a wave of her hand and a snap of her fingers, I’m perfectly fitted.
She nudges me toward the mirror and steps out, allowing me a moment alone to take in my reflection. Seraphina has outdone herself. The gown is beyond my wildest dreams, a true work of art. The bodice features a daring low V-neck, adorned with white crystals that catch the light with every movement, like stars against my skin.
The luxurious white lace flows from the crystal-studded bodice, expanding at my knees into a voluminous skirt that cascades to the floor. Silver stitching weaves through the lace, adding an enchanting shimmer and complexity to the design.
What truly sets this gown apart is the shadow magic within the stitches—dark wisps that flow through the fabric, making the dress pulse with life, mirroring the beat of my heart. I turn slightly to admire the long, translucent cape extending from my shoulders, trailing behind me like a veil of mystery, infused with shadowy black designs that move with me. The entire ensemble is breathtaking. I can hardly recognize myself.
My makeup is bold, perfectly complementing the dress, and the tiny white flowers woven into my hair add a touch of innocence to my otherwise commanding appearance. In this moment, I truly feel like the Queen of Night. Dark enchantress, indeed... I giggle softly, imagining Colton whispering those words to me.
“How do you feel? Is it perfect?” Flora asks as she reenters the room, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“It’s perfect. I don’t know how to thank you. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I’m going to miss you so much. I wish we could have met sooner—I really could have used a friend like you growing up,” I confess, my voice tinged with a bittersweet longing. She pulls me into a tight hug, her warmth enveloping me.
“Don’t talk like you’re disappearing. Being queen of Cloudrum doesn’t mean you can’t still visit Nighthold. I’ll visit you too. We’ll still hang out,” she assures me.
I force a smile, though my heart clenches with the weight of the truth. “Of course.” Only I know the truth—well, Colton and I know the truth, and I don’t think I’ll be seeing much of anyone after today. Flora might understand, but it’s better this way. Better no one knows until later. I wouldn’t want to ruin today.
But there is one person I do need to tell, and I probably shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to do it—Nyx. Life has been so busy, and if I had told him sooner, he would have tried to find a way out of it. This way, he has no chance to stop it.
I will make him understand because I cannot stand the thought of hurting him again. We have both hurt each other enough already in this life.
“Do you know if Nyx is coming today? He said he wanted to stop by and talk to me before the ceremony,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual, though my heart races with anxiety.
“I’m not sure he’ll come. Don’t hate me, Lyra, but I may have told him to stay away. Forgive me, but I don’t want him ruining your day. He might still come—he rarely listens to me anyway—but if he does...be careful,” she says, her voice filled with concern.
I smooth my hands down my gown. “I understand. Come on, let’s not leave them in anticipation any longer,” I say, leading the way back to my sitting room.
As soon as we enter, Hollie’s eyes widen. “Oh my gods, Colton is going to lose it when he sees you!” she exclaims, bouncing on the couch before taking flight and circling around me in excitement.
“You look beautiful, Lyra,” Lili says softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Don’t cry,” I plead gently, a smile tugging at my lips. “You’re going to make me emotional, and I have a feeling if I ruin my makeup, Flora will kill me.” My attempt at humor earns a watery laugh from Lili, who wipes away a stray tear.
“Okay, I need to go get myself ready now. I can’t wait to see you out there,” Lili assures me, giving my hand a quick squeeze before leaving the room.
There’s a quick knock at the door, and we all turn our heads, my breath catching in my throat as I silently hope for Nyx to walk through next. Instead, Drew pokes her head around the door. “I heard this was the place to find the bride,” she says.
I smile, relief washing over me. “Yes, come look at what a beautiful bride she is,” Flora says, holding the door open wider for Drew.
“Hey, guys, can I talk to Drew alone for a bit?” I ask, my voice steady despite the fluttering in my chest. Flora nods with a warm smile.
“Of course, dear. I’ll come get you when it’s time for the ceremony to start. Come find me if you need anything, and don’t forget your shoes,” she says, as if I’d walk down the aisle barefoot.
“Thank you,” I reply, chuckling as she slips out of the room.
Hollie flits over to me, her tiny wings a blur. I extend my hand, and she lands gracefully. “You’re going to do great. Don’t be nervous,” she assures me, her smile bright and encouraging before she zips out of the room.
Chepi hops onto the bed and settles in for a nap.
“A formidable queen indeed,” Drew says, her red eyes full of admiration as she settles onto the couch.
“Thank you,” I say, feeling a warm rush of gratitude as I move to sit across from her in one of the chairs.
“I came from Colton’s chambers, and he had quite a lot to share,” Drew says, her tone still cryptic.
“Oh yeah?” I reply, keeping my face stoic. I know Colton planned to tell Drew everything, but in case he backed out, I don’t reveal anything.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this, you know,” she continues, her eyes distant with memories. I look down, unsure how to respond, wishing I had a drink in my hand to steady my nerves.
“I know you sought my guidance before, and I couldn’t give it. I’ve always tried to provide you with the tools to reach your own conclusions,” she pauses, her gaze drifting out the window as if lost in her own thoughts. “Eventually, you’ll understand why I couldn’t interfere, even when I desperately wanted to. But I believe you’re making the right choice, and I’m so grateful for you,” she says, her voice filled with genuine emotion.
It’s my turn to look away, gathering my thoughts, unsure of how to respond. “Grateful for me? Why?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper, wondering if we’re even discussing the same thing.
“I know the choice you made was not an easy one, and anyone who sacrifices the way you are will bring about great change. You will be a formidable queen, and I know you will use your dark magic to rule with compassion. Despite everything that has tried to harden your heart, you still thrive, you still remain kind, and that takes true strength,” she says, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that leaves me breathless.
I’ve always felt like I was falling through life, barely getting by. Some days, I even wished I wasn’t alive... If it weren’t for Chepi, I might not be. Samael made my life a living hell for many years, and my parents only added to the misery. I’ve never truly felt like I belonged anywhere, and I wandered aimlessly, not knowing my purpose.
Despite all of this, I’ve always been empathetic. I try to show kindness, to give others the benefit of the doubt, even after all the wrong that’s been done to me. Drew probably doesn’t realize how much her words mean to me, but I feel it deeply. Although I don’t need validation, it feels good to hear it. It’s a rare balm for my soul, a reminder that my efforts to do what’s right, even when it means my own suffering, have not gone unnoticed.
“I’m grateful for you too, more than you know. You were there for me when I needed someone, and I noticed the signs and the little pushes you gave me along the way. You gave me a place to stay when I had nowhere else to go, and I’m grateful to know you,” I tell her, my voice thick with emotion. Her eyes soften, but before she can respond, we both sense it.
I smell him first, and a split second later, he appears. “King Onyx,” Drew says, rising to her feet. She pauses to look down at me, winks, and then she’s gone.
I clear my throat, standing up. “Nyx, I could have been naked or...gods know what, and you channel in here without knocking or anything. What the fuck?” I chide him, but inside I’m relieved and happy he’s here.
“Maybe that’s what I was hoping for,” he says, his gaze raking over me. I realize I’m in my wedding dress, and he’s seeing me for the first time in months.
Then I notice he’s holding a stack of books, notebooks, and journals. “What is all of this?” I ask.
He places the stack on the table and steps directly in front of me. I don’t step back, even when he raises his hand to gently lift my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. Those soft gray eyes, glowing with intensity, hold mine captive.
The weight of his presence, the mystery of the journals—everything feels charged with significance. The air between us hums with unspoken words and unresolved tension.
“We need to talk,” he says, his voice a quiet command.
“Yes, we do,” I say, glancing over at the table where the stack of journals sits. He cups my face again, his touch firm yet tender, until my eyes are drawn back to his.
“You can’t marry Colton and can’t go through with the bonding ceremony,” he says, his eyes now like hardened steel.
A chill spreads through my body, freezing me in place. The room seems to shrink around us, and my heart starts to pound harder in my chest.
He shakes my shoulders, breaking me out of my temporary stupor. “Lyra, did you hear me? You cannot complete the ceremony with Colton,” he insists, his voice urgent and desperate.
“I know—”