The hall had emptied slightly now. Only close family and a few key nobles remained, lingering like shadows around the edges. Music swelled again, softer this time, slower. A dance.
Kieran stepped forward, his dark eyes meeting mine. Calm. Unmoving. As though the entire world had narrowed down to this one moment.
"Shall we?" he asked.
I hesitated. The thought of dancing with him—of being this close—made my chest tighten in a way I hadn't expected. But I nodded, sliding my hand into his.
His grip was firm, warm, precise. Not possessive, not gentle. Just… steady. Enough to make me aware of every inch of him.
We moved together across the polished floor. The music carried us slowly, gracefully. I didn't look at anyone else. Just him. And he didn't say much either, but that silence was heavier than words.
After a few rotations, he leaned slightly closer, voice low. "You're quiet."
"I'm taking it all in," I said. My voice sounded steadier than I felt.
He tilted his head, eyes scanning me carefully. "And… what do you see?"
I hesitated. Truth? Fear? Excitement? "Everything," I admitted softly.
He said nothing for a moment, just adjusted our pace slightly, guiding us in sync. Then he whispered, almost to himself, "It won't be easy."
"No," I agreed. "But I'll manage."
We continued in silence for a few more turns. My mind was suddenly aware of the clock, the ceremony, the halls I had grown up in. The reality hit me in a single, sharp moment: by the end of tonight, I would leave this palace. My home. My family. My routine. And I would be his.
I swallowed, trying to keep my composure. "When we leave…" I started, voice low, "I won't be… Chloe of my palace anymore."
He didn't answer immediately. Just let the words linger between us. Finally, he said, softly, almost reverently, "You'll be… my wife. The rest will follow."
The weight of the statement settled over me. The vows had been said. The alliances secured. But this… this was real. I realized with sudden clarity that tonight would be the first night of everything. The first night of being his.
I let my head rest slightly against his shoulder for a heartbeat. Not out of weakness. Just… awareness.
The music ended. Guests began murmuring, bowing politely, leaving us alone. I stepped back. The spell of the moment broke, but the tension remained.
...
The hall was quiet after the dance and celebrations. Everyone else had left or been dismissed, leaving only my family. My mother, composed as always, adjusted the veil one last time. Her hands trembled slightly, though she hid it well.
"Chloe," she said softly, "remember… no matter where you go, you're still our daughter first."
"I know," I whispered. My throat felt thick, and for a moment, I didn't trust myself to speak.
Seraphina bounced on her heels beside me, too young to fully grasp the weight of the moment, but clearly trying. "Don't cry, big sis," she muttered, frowning at me. "You'll ruin your makeup."
I blinked, trying not to laugh through the lump in my throat. "I'm not crying."
"Uh-huh," she said, arms crossed, clearly unconvinced.
Rhys stepped forward, serious as ever, but there was a softness in his gaze I hadn't seen in years. "You're ready for this," he said quietly. "But… it doesn't mean I'm not going to miss you."
My chest tightened. "I… I'll miss you too," I admitted, voice catching. "More than I can say."
He nodded once, silent for a beat. Then he reached out, gripping my shoulders briefly. "Stay sharp. Watch everything. And… don't forget to breathe."
I managed a small smile. "Yes, Captain Rhys."
Seraphina leaned into me suddenly, hugging me fiercely. "If he does anything stupid, I'll fight him," she whispered, face pressed against my shoulder.
I hugged her back, chuckling softly, even though my chest ached. "Probably."
"You're lucky he's… scary in a good way," she murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.
I pulled back slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You think he's scary?"
She grinned. "Obviously. Sexy scary, you know? I love him."
I sighed softly. "You're ridiculous."
Seraphina grinned anyway, holding my hand a moment longer. Then she stepped back. "Go," she said simply. "Be terrifying together."
I blinked, suddenly aware of the weight of every word, every expectation. The crown, the alliances, the family relying on me… and the man I had just vowed myself to.
I took a deep breath. Looked at my siblings one last time. Memorized their faces. The way Rhys always held himself, protective, patient. The way Seraphina's grin couldn't hide her excitement.
My mother reached for my hand. "Remember who you are," she said softly. "Even as you become… someone else's."
"I won't forget," I whispered, though the thought of leaving, of crossing that line into married life, pressed heavy on my chest.
"Be good, Chloe. I'm proud of you." My father nodded at me.
"Thanks, dad." I smiled, eyes watery.
We walked toward the carriage together. Rhys and Seraphina flanked me briefly before stepping back. My mother's gaze lingered on me, quiet but fierce.
The doors of the limo opened. I stepped inside, heart hammering, stomach tight. Outside, the world of my childhood fell away with every turn of the wheels. Every familiar building, every face left behind, every corridor of my home… gone.
Kieran waited in front of the door silently, hand extended. Calm. Steady. Terrifying.
I took it. The warmth of his hand met mine, grounding me, but it couldn't erase the ache of leaving everything behind.
As the car rolled forward, I closed my eyes.
And in that quiet moment, I let myself feel it all: the love of my family, the fear of the unknown, the weight of vows, and the beginning of a life I could never return from.