A Kiss of Shadow (Court of Starlight and Darkness #2)(48)

“Excellent.” Eve went to it and pulled out a shimmery silver dress.

It was gorgeous, and somehow, the sight of it made tears prick in my eyes.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Meria laid a comforting hand on my shoulder.

I sniffed back the tears and wiped my eyes. “Nothing. I guess I’m just a bit overwhelmed. This isn’t what I expected my wedding to be like.”

“You don’t have to stay married,” Eve said.

“You’re right.” I drew in a bracing breath. “Once the witch is defeated, I can run.”

“Exactly.”

But the idea twisted my heart. I didn’t want to leave this beautiful place. I might not fit in perfectly, but it was better than what I had back in the human world.

More than that, I didn’t want to leave my new friends.

Lore.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. My feelings for him were becoming a runaway train, and I needed to put the brakes on. Fast.





Lore



* * *



The rest of the day passed in a blur. I spent hours combing through the wreckage of the greenhouse for clues.

I found nothing, and it was finally time to dressed for the wedding.

My wedding.

The thought was laughable. I’d never intended to wed. And yet, here I was, with the dark clouds hovering overhead to remind me why I was doing this.

“It’s all so vague,” I muttered.

“What was that?” Dain asked.

I nodded up at the clouds. “We’ve got dark clouds and a seer prophesying an attack by an evil witch, so I’m getting married. Isn’t it all a bit ridiculous?”

“You know the value of a marriage like this. The ceremony alone will be worth it.”

“You’re right. I just—” I dragged a hand through my hair.

“Are you doubting your path, now?”

A low sigh tore out of me. “No. I know the tragedy that happens when I don’t follow the warnings of the Truth Teller. I will not be diverted from my path. I’d just like more information.”

“I don’t blame you.” He punched me lightly on the shoulder. “You might not be getting the information you want, but you are getting a beautiful wife.”

He was right about that at least. Sia haunted my every waking thought.

“Let’s get dressed.” I started toward the castle, hoping Sia wouldn’t be in our chambers when I arrived.

Fortunately, she wasn’t. I showered and dressed quickly, then made my way down to the forest where we would be married. The ceremony was taking place in a sacred glen, and Vusario had been right to insist we marry at the High Court. Our marriage would mean more if it was done here, and its power would be far greater. I’d been foolish to think we shouldn’t come.

Many of the other fae had arrived by the time I reached the clearing in the woods. The trees were particularly tall, soaring a hundred feet overhead. Their branches disappeared through the dark clouds, an eerie effect.

As I walked toward the front of the crowd, I could hear people muttering about the strange weather.

“Feels like magic,” whispered a fae I didn’t recognize.

People were starting to catch on.

Would the witch ambush the wedding? Was that her plan?

Tension tightened my muscles, and I leaned toward Dain. “Make sure the men stay alert. We don’t know when the witch will show up.”

“You think she’d come here?”

I shrugged. “It would make an impression.”

He grunted, then turned to speak to our guards.

I took up my position at the head of the crowd. There was a long clearing in front of me—an aisle, though in a loose sense. The audience stood in a line on either side of it, the trees rising tall around them. Fairy lights sparkled overhead, tiny pinpricks of gold that shined bright against the brooding clouds and the setting sun. It was nearly full dark, and they provided the only light.

When Sia appeared at the other end of the aisle, my breath left my body in a whoosh.

She looked…incredible.

Her gown was an ephemeral creation of silver and sparkles. It floated around her like it blew on its own faint breeze, and I’d never seen anything like it.

I’d never seen anything like her.

My heart thudded at the mere sight of her. When her gaze met mine, I felt like it would break through my ribs and land at her feet.

As she stared at me, light began to glow from overhead. It was almost as if the stars were burning through the clouds. She began to glow, and it was the most incredible thing I’d ever seen.

My queen.





18





Sia



* * *



I stopped at the beginning of the aisle, staring at Lore in the distance. We were surrounded by huge trees and piles of flowers and beautiful stone arches, but I only had eyes for him.

Lore stood at the far end of the aisle, attired in an impeccable navy suit that was reminiscent of what human men wore to their wedding but far more beautiful. It was simple and stark, with a cloak that swept back from his shoulders and made him look like the otherworldly, regal king he was.

“It’s go-time.” Meria gave me a little push.

Birdsong sounded in the trees, and I focused on putting one foot in front of the other as I made my way toward him. Overhead, I could feel the power of the stars, and it was appropriate that they should grace me with their presence on today of all days.