The days passed swiftly in Eldoria, and the castle thrummed with the anticipation of the royal wedding. Flowers draped every archway, and golden banners bearing the royal crest billowed in the breeze. Townsfolk prepared for the grand celebration, their laughter echoing through the streets. Yet amidst the joy, a quiet tension lingered. Kael's heart, though restored, bore an unspoken burden.
Evelyne found herself watching him closely, the shadows beneath his eyes growing faintly darker with each passing day. He hid it well—smiling, laughing, making plans for their future—but she could sense the weight pressing against him.
"You're thinking too much," Kael murmured one afternoon, catching her gaze as they stood on the castle's balcony. The sky was painted in hues of pink and gold, a perfect prelude to the evening ahead.
"And you're avoiding my question," Evelyne countered softly, stepping closer. "Kael, how are you truly feeling?"
He hesitated. The breeze stirred his dark hair, and for a moment, he seemed as if he might deflect. But then his shoulders relaxed, and he cupped her face gently.
"I'm tired," he admitted. "But I'm alive. And for the first time in centuries, my heart beats because it's mine. That is enough."
Evelyne leaned into his touch, the warmth of his hand steadying her. "It's more than enough."
----
The evening descended, and the palace's grand hall gleamed with candlelight. Nobles from across the kingdom gathered, their laughter mingling with the music that swirled through the air. Evelyne, draped in a flowing sapphire gown embroidered with silver leaves, stole through the crowd with Kael by her side.
"The council seems pleased," Kael murmured, nodding toward the assembled lords and ladies.
"Pleased, perhaps, but still wary." Evelyne's voice was low. "The shadow of the curse has only just lifted. Trust will take time."
"Then we'll give them time." Kael brushed a kiss to her temple. "Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow can wait."
The music shifted to a lilting melody, and Kael extended his hand. "Shall we?"
Evelyne's laughter rang softly as she accepted. They moved together, their steps in perfect harmony. Around them, the nobles watched with admiration, though Evelyne only saw Kael. The warmth of his touch, the sparkle in his eyes—it was all she needed.
"You're beautiful," he whispered against her ear, his voice sending a delightful shiver down her spine.
"And you're impossibly charming," she teased. "I may regret this marriage yet."
Kael laughed, the sound low and rich.
"Never."
As the dance concluded, applause erupted, but Evelyne barely noticed. Kael's fingers lingered at her waist, his gaze searching hers.
"Come with me," he murmured.
Without hesitation, Evelyne let him lead her from the hall, down winding corridors and through an open archway that led to the gardens. The stars above glittered like fragments of silver dust. A fountain bubbled softly, and the night air carried the scent of blooming jasmine.
Kael turned to her, his hands framing her face.
"Evelyne, I've spent lifetimes surrounded by shadows. But you—you are the light that brought me back."
Her heart swelled, tears glistening in her eyes.
"And you are my strength. My heart. I never knew how fiercely I could love until I met you."
With a reverence that stole her breath, Kael knelt before her. The silver ring he held gleamed in the starlight, its delicate design entwined with vines and a single sapphire.
"Evelyne, will you be my wife? Will you stand by my side, in light and shadow, for all our days?"
Tears spilled freely as Evelyne sank to her knees, her hands trembling as they touched his face.
"Yes," she whispered. "A thousand times, yes."
Kael slipped the ring onto her finger, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that sealed their promise. The stars bore witness, their light blessing the love that burned brighter than any shadow.
For the first time, the future felt limitless. And as they held each other beneath the starlit sky, Evelyne knew their story had only just begun.
The grand hall of Eldoria shimmered under the golden light of a thousand lanterns.
Ornate banners cascaded from the vaulted ceiling, while fragrant blooms adorned every pillar. The air was rich with laughter and the lilting melodies of violins. It was a celebration — a night to mark a temporary peace and the return of Kael's heart.
Evelyne stood near the edge of the hall, her silvery gown flowing like liquid moonlight. The fabric hugged her slender frame, and the delicate embroidery of stars twinkled with every movement. Despite the warmth of the festivities, a strange nervousness lingered in her chest.
Kael, too, seemed uncharacteristically tense.
He wore a deep emerald coat, its fine gold detailing highlighting the broadness of his shoulders. The weight of his restored heart was something he was still adjusting to, though Evelyne could see the subtle difference in the way he moved — more grounded, more human.
"You're staring," he murmured, sidling up to her with that familiar smirk. His voice held a tenderness that sent warmth curling through her.
"I'm simply admiring the view," Evelyne replied, a hint of playfulness in her tone.
Kael's fingers brushed her hand, the barest touch igniting the connection they both felt.
"Would you care to dance?" he asked, his voice low, meant only for her.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Evelyne's face.
The court's eyes were ever watchful, their whispers persistent. But the thought of his arms around her, guiding her through the motions, was far more tempting.
"Yes," she said softly.
Kael led her to the center of the hall as the music swelled. The violins struck a sweeping note, and the crowd parted, all eyes turning to them. But the moment his hand rested on her waist, the world seemed to fade away.
They moved together in perfect harmony. Evelyne's heart pounded as Kael's warmth enveloped her. Each step was an unspoken promise, every lingering glance a tether pulling them closer. She could see it in his eyes — the way he held her as though she was the most precious thing in existence.
"You're trembling," Kael whispered, his thumb brushing lightly along her spine.
"Am I?" she breathed, her voice barely audible above the music.
He nodded, lowering his forehead to hers.
"There's no reason to fear. I'm here. Always."
Her heart swelled. The shadows of their past still lingered, but in this moment, there was only Kael — his steady heartbeat, his fierce gaze, the way his touch set her skin aflame.
As the dance neared its end, Kael's hand slid up to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing her jawline. For a breathless second, Evelyne thought he might kiss her in front of the entire court. Instead, he pulled her closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.
"When this night is over, meet me in the gardens," he murmured.
She shivered, anticipation coiling through her.
---
Later, the air was cool with the gentle breeze as Evelyne stepped into the moonlit gardens. The delicate perfume of night-blooming flowers wrapped around her. Lanterns swayed lazily from the branches, casting golden halos across the cobblestone path.
Kael was already there, waiting beneath an ancient willow. His emerald coat had been discarded, leaving him in a simple linen shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows. The sight of him in the soft light, so achingly human and undeniably hers, sent Evelyne's heart into a flutter.
"You came," he said, his voice a low rumble.
"I always will."
Kael reached for her, his fingers lacing with hers. They stood in comfortable silence, the tension from the evening finally easing. Evelyne studied the shadows of his face, the gleam of silver strands through his dark hair. There was something about the way he looked at her — as though she were both his salvation and his undoing.
"The world may never understand what we've endured," Kael said softly. "But I don't care. You are my heart, Evelyne. And I will spend every moment proving that to you."
A knot formed in her throat, overwhelmed by the depth of his words. She cupped his face, tracing her thumb along the faint stubble of his jaw.
"Then prove it now," she whispered, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her chest. "As you wish, my lady."
And with that, Kael closed the distance between them, capturing her mouth in a kiss that stole the very breath from her lungs. It was fierce and tender all at once, a silent vow of all they had fought for.