“We are?” I ask, confused.

Stepping close, he cups my cheek. “Right now. You and me. Nothing can stop us.”

“The ceremony—your people will be disappointed,” I argue. “They’ll want to see it.”

“And they will. They’ll see the important part—that we’re happy and bonded. When we get back to the Night Realm, we’ll have a grand ball to announce our union. It’ll be the celebration of the millennium. Our people will have such a great time, they won’t feel like they missed out.”

I chew my lip as I look toward the pinkish glow coming from the top of the stairs. Green moss covers part of the old stone, growing in the cracks between the blocks.

And I want this.

I don’t want to wait anymore.

Smiling, I give Keryth’s hand a squeeze. “Let’s do it.”

CHAPTER 6

Keryth

I’m trembling as my feet move, one in front of the other, climbing higher with my love by my side.

There was a time when I thought this day would never come.

Not every faerie is lucky enough to cross paths with their soul mate. It’s actually quite rare, which is why fated pairs are considered higher on the social ladder.

I remember the first time I saw Zella as if it were yesterday. She stepped out of the golden carriage, looking pissed off and scared. I couldn’t blame her. Being sent to carry out a trade deal at such a young age must have been daunting.

And her age… yes, it was a problem. Just seventeen years old. Her face had still been somewhat rounded. Her long blonde hair had never been cut before, so the length fell past her rear and the ends still had her newborn curls. Her chest wasn’t fully developed, and her hips weren’t as shapely as they are now.

But I knew she was mine. When our eyes met, I felt my soul align, snapping together with hers.

I’ve worshiped her every day since.

Knowing we had to wait until her body was mature enough for breeding, I kept my distance and built a friendship. Over the years she impressed me with her kindness and quick wit. Physically, she filled out and tried to drive me crazy with corseted dresses and flirtatious smiles.

I lived for our visits. A month was too long to go without my mate. Without her sweet smell. Without her irises that reminded me of the purple clouds on the horizon at dusk.

Every time I saw her, she changed a little. She grew up before my eyes.

I look at her now, watching the reaction on her face when she sees the clearing for the bonding ceremony. Her eyes widen. Her lips part.

When we get to the top step, Zella sucks in a breath. “It’s so beautiful.”