Luminary (Faylinn Book 3), page 16
The most unsuspecting insight as I explored our bond was realizing that if anything were to happen to him it would literally cripple me. Whatever affected him would affect me. A bond was more than a simple vow. It was a sealing. We were bound soul to soul.
Cavan continued, “For as day is bound to night, so your souls shall be to each other.”
There was no triumphant cheering or joyous applause. Fae clapped, but it was a reverent, almost solemn clap.
Sakari slipped a dark wooden band onto my wrist—one I figured Adair picked out since we never did get the chance to talk about it yesterday. I studied the symbol carved into it. A line drawn horizontally with a half-circle placed on top and straight lines bursting from the top—a sunset. He handed me his so I could place it onto him.
After it was in place, Sakari slowly bent down and kissed my lips. When he pulled away, he took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, and faced our two kingdoms. Security spread through my veins. It was clear. He would do anything for me.
I lifted my gaze to the gathering as we walked down the aisle hand in hand. Husband and wife—King and Queen of Faylinn. My eyes touched the kaleidoscope of colors that once gave me warmth and hope, but now made me feel defeated and ashamed. They deserved a queen who could fight for them, who wouldn’t compromise her loyalty to her kingdom to save her family. I couldn’t linger on anyone until I caught sight of indigo, hovering in the back. My breathing stopped. It can’t—
When I blinked, the indigo was gone, just merely a hallucination, a wishful thought.
Chapter Twenty-Four
KAI
I ran as fast as my feet would carry me through the trees. Branches clawed at me, and roots attempted to trip me, but I pushed on. I had to push on. My legs couldn’t carry me much longer, but I was almost there. So close to her.
My legs shook. My chest was on fire. I could hardly breathe. But I wasn’t giving up now. I wasn’t used to feeling this way. Weak. So fragile.
I breached the thickness of the forest, stopping just inside the line of trees surrounding the heart of Faylinn. Thousands of faeries gathered in the meadow, all eyes facing the excessive floral archway Calliope and Sakari stood under.
Did I make it in time?
In order to remain unseen I had to come up from behind. Rymidon Keepers stood at different posts, but their attention was on the ceremony. I skirted around them as stealthily as I could manage in my condition. The snap of a twig could have alerted them, but astonishingly enough I managed to go undetected.
Everyone else was so focused on Calliope and Sakari they didn’t notice me. I’ve made it just in time, I thought, about to scream out and interrupt the ceremony, until I heard Calliope say one word.
Yes.
Oxygen departed from my body and didn’t return. Every organ, every artery and muscle in my body froze—paralyzed by heartbreak.
She wouldn’t.
Then Sakari said, “Yes.”
No.
Sakari leaned and kissed my destiny, their fate sealed. She blinked, but didn’t look revolted. Had something changed in her? They turned, and suddenly it was too quiet, noises muddled together. I heard nothing but my heart dropping to the ground, tumbling and smashing into pieces as it beat its last beat.
Their hands linked as Calliope and Sakari walked up the aisle, her face streaked with tears she hadn’t brushed aside. She didn’t smile. Her stare blank as it wandered over the crowd, as though she was lost and couldn’t find her way back home. But I was standing right here. I wanted to shout, I’m here!
But I didn’t find my way back to her in time. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. Anger burned, searing my veins. My entire body was a wildfire begging to spread, smoldering in the middle of a battlefield.
This was war.
I couldn’t be here. Not now. I had to go. This was all wrong.
Our eyes locked. She stopped, and every part of me shouted to grab her and run. Instead, the voice of reason thundered, and I bolted before the possibility of being captured increased.
Chapter Twenty-Five
CALLIOPE
I thought back to the day of Cora and Desmond’s bonding and how everything was light and love and levity. The music was playful and vivacious. There was hugging and dancing and laughter. Everyone was bright and cheerful. It was the exact opposite of what I saw now.
Faeries mingled and music played in the background, but everyone made their moves with caution, careful not to draw attention to themselves. No one wanted to be noticed by Adair. Attention from Adair meant nothing good.
Faylinn didn’t mingle with Rymidon, and Rymidon did everything in their power to remain unapproachable.
The meadow was dripping with extravagant floral garlands and balls of peonies hung from trees like Chinese lanterns. There was hardly anything that didn’t have something with a peony on it or in it. Unterrial really took the idea of peonies to a whole new level.
“Man, this party sure is a drag.”
I peered over my shoulder to see Cameron with a smiling glint in his eyes. I threw my arms around his neck. “You’re okay! Oh, thank the Fallen Fae.” I sighed, tightening my arms. “Where are Declan and Allura?”
“Careful.” He tapped my shoulders. “You’re a lot stronger than you look. It’s possible you’re getting stronger.”
“Oh!” I shrunk back and chuckled softly. “Sorry.”
“They’re somewhere close by. I’m not sure where they ran off to, but I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” With his hands on my biceps, he squeezed. “Dang, girl! Your biceps are firmer than mine.”
“Shut up,” I laughed half-heartedly and tugged my arms away. “I’ll kick your trash if you start making body builder jokes.”
He pulled away and laughed. I could just keep him here, right? That wasn’t selfish. Cameron could make this new world with Adair bearable.
He reached his hand out to Sakari. “Nice to meet you,” Cameron said. Sakari nodded then stared down at Cameron’s hand in confusion before wrapping his fingers around his wrist in a root. It was Cam’s turn to peer down, perplexed.
“Just go with it,” I whispered.
“You must be Cameron,” Sakari said. “I want to apologize for any distress my father has caused.”
They let go, and Cam said, “I’m fine. I just want to make sure Calliope is okay.”
“I have every intention of doing just that,” Sakari answered genuinely.
“Good,” he replied. Cam straightened beside me, looking out at the merged kingdoms as they danced and attempted to socialize. It didn’t appear to be going very well. While some mingled, others appeared to be having conversations too intense for the occasion.
“Lia?” Cameron gasped, his eyes trained on the other side of the meadow.
I followed his stare across the way to see Lia, eyes locked on Cameron with Skye at her side.
“Is that… That’s not…” His eyes squinted and his breathing sped up. His hand reached for me, tapping my arm as if he were trying to get my attention. “That’s…”
I took a deep breath before answering. “Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Lia’s a faery.”
Cameron’s eyes darted to me, wide open, his mouth agape. His head slowly shook back and forth as his eyes shifted between Lia and me without words.
“Yeah,” I replied quietly.
“Shut the…”
My teeth clenched in response. There were still moments where I couldn’t quite grasp it either, so I knew exactly how he felt.
“It’s kind of a long story. But the short version is she was a spy for the bad kingdom and became human to get close to me.”
Lia’s vibrant hazel eyes watched us. She seemed just as shocked to see Cameron as he did her. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Cam still shaking his head in disbelief. “You’ve gotta be freaking kidding me.” He took a step toward her, but I snatched his hand and held him back.
“Not a good idea.” I didn’t trust Skye anywhere near Cameron.
“When did you find out?” he asked, conceding.
“A few days ago.”
His pale blue eyes drew together, angry. “How could she… How in the world did I miss that?” he breathed. “How long has she been gone?”
“She probably fell off the face of the earth when she transitioned back into a faery and you forgot her. It’s been about a month or two.”
“Cal,” he said sympathetically when he realized what her betrayal meant to me. His arm returned around my shoulder as he tugged me to his side, into the most familiar arms I’d been in, in what felt like forever. “I’m so sorry.” He pressed his mouth to the top of my head.
“You’re not the one who needs to apologize.” Lia’s eyes met mine, but she couldn’t hold her stare. Instantly, she looked up to Skye and kissed his cheek.
“So, you’re not on speaking terms, I assume.”
“That would be a negative.”
“It’s going to take me a while to grasp all of this,” Cameron murmured.
“I understand completely.” I sighed. Lia linked her arm through Skye’s and rested her head on his shoulder as if she was seeking comfort.
Incoherently, Cameron continued to mumble about his disbelief as he peered around Faylinn. This place that not long ago, felt left like my home. How fast things could change. Though, Cameron still felt like home.
“So, what do you think about staying here with me, Cam?” I asked wryly. “It’s not so bad, right?”
“So I can slowly lose my mind? And live under an oppressive king?” He shrugged. “Sure. I’ll stay with you, Cal.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad,” I said teasingly. “You wouldn’t know you’re losing your mind. I think it’d be more like slowly losing your memories and not really caring. So, you in?”
Cameron’s jaw dropped as he stared over my shoulder, toward the castle. “Well, if it means being able to spend time with that one, I’m in. Holy smokes that girl faery is hot.”
“You know you can just say girl. She might be a faery, but we’re all faeries here. We’ll know what you mean.” I followed his gaze to see Sarai timidly standing on the outskirts, trying to remain unseen.
“That’s my sister. I will kill you,” Sakari said in a tone that implied he would literally kill Cameron.
“Note taken,” Cam said, trying not to look at Sarai, but failing miserably. He kept taking quick glances out of the corner of his eye.
I elbowed him because we really didn’t need another reason for someone to want him dead.
“You know,” I said. “Technically you can go back home now.”
“And miss my best friend’s big day?” He draped his arm around my shoulder. “I can go back tomorrow, right?”
“It might be safer for you to go back today.”
Cameron’s attention immediately shifted in Sakari’s direction. He froze and swallowed. His Adam’s apple bobbed.
I turned to see Sarai. She smiled. “You both look wonderful. Zaelae.” She hugged Sakari.
“Thank you, Sarai,” I said before leaning over to hug her. Cameron didn’t release my shoulder, so it made for the most awkward hug in history.
“Cameron,” I murmured and elbowed him.
He was speechless as he watched her, his mouth slightly agape. If he didn’t shut it, drool would stain his shirt. “Cam,” I hissed.
Clearing his throat, he said, “What? Uh, sorry.”
Sarai peered at him curiously, then offered a shy smile.
“Cameron, Sarai. Sarai, Cameron,” I introduced.
“It’s nice to meet you, Cameron,” she said bashfully.
It took him a moment, but finally words formed. “Sarai,” he said. “That’s a beautiful name. But of course it’d have to be to match such a beautiful woman.”
My eye roll could have been seen from across the kingdom.
“Calla,” Sakari said, tugging on the skirt of my dress. I stepped back. He leaned into me, speaking quietly into my ear. “He’s a human. What are you doing?” His worry crashed into me in waves.
“Oh, c’mon. I’m introducing my best friend to my sister-in-law. Loosen up. Isn’t today supposed to be about smiling and letting go?”
Sakari frowned.
“Sakari, it’s not like they’re planning their bonding. Like you said, he’s human. They know their limitations.” I whispered, “Besides, she’s probably not even interested. She has the pick of the litter.”
His brow furrowed.
“Never mind. I’m just saying it’s harmless. Let someone else enjoy the celebration if we’re not going to.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
SAKARI
I’d be able to enjoy the day if I knew Calliope wasn’t so brokenhearted. Our connection was worse than I anticipated. Nothing could have prepared me for feeling her emotions as powerful as they were. I’d always known she was passionate, but this brought passion to a whole other level. I didn’t know how I wasn’t bursting. If I were an explosive, our emotions would demolish the entire kingdom of Faylinn. We’d be able to do it without the help of my father.
“Would you like to dance?” I heard Cameron ask Sarai.
Oh, no you don’t. Before I could intervene, Calliope latched onto my arm and I felt her not so subtle disapproval of my intentions.
Her widened green eyes warned me to step back.
“Calliope,” I implored.
“She’ll be fine, Sakari. If you’re worried about Cameron being a gentleman, you have nothing to worry about. We’ve been best friends since we were eleven. I trust him. For goodness sake, it took him over seven years before he even kissed me. I’m pretty sure she’s fine. If he’s even the smallest bit disrespectful, I’ll dismember him myself.”
I exhaled and watched them walk away. It was happening already. Sarai was smitten. He leaned down, saying something in her ear and she giggled before looking at the ground blushingly.
Of all the luck. The first boy my baby sister met after her confinement was a human. “He kissed you?” The thought finally processed.
Calliope chuckled. “Really? That’s all you have to say?”
“Well, you’re my wife now. I have the right to be jealous. Do I not?”
Calliope’s face fell and blinked into the crowd. “Because we’re married you should have nothing to be jealous of. You’re stuck with me now.”
Her words contradicted everything she was feeling. I didn’t own her heart. No matter how much she tried to conceal that from me, it was impossible. Forever I would have to carry that burden. The burden of knowing I stole her, but not her heart.
“Being stuck with you is my favorite place to be,” I said quietly.
She peered up at me, but I couldn’t look her in the eyes. I kept my watchful gaze on the uncomfortable mingling kingdoms around us. I couldn’t stay in one place any longer. Turning to walk, I nodded my head so she would come with. I offered my elbow, and she accepted. For the first time, I felt like she was accepting me.
As we strolled around the gathering, Declan and Allura approached us. Next to me I felt Calliope beam and relax at the sight of them. Will she ever feel this way when she sees me?
“Hey, Queeny.”
“Allura.” Calliope stepped forward and hugged her. They stood that way, never saying a word, but holding tightly to one another. Calliope’s emotions transformed from calmness to regret and sadness in a matter of moments. She experienced every emotion so intensely it was difficult not to define them.
When they pulled away, tears glistened in their eyes, but they still said nothing. Every word expressed through their eyes. I might be a lot of things, but oblivious wasn’t one of them. This was about Kai, and I tried to remain unaffected, but knowing it wasn’t me she wanted gutted me.
Instead of focusing on that, I turned my attention to Declan when Allura stepped back next to him. Though they clearly looked like they were together, they remained unaffectionate.
“Rymidon knows how to put together a party. This is quite the celebration,” Allura commented.
“It’s extravagant,” Calliope said flatly.
“You didn’t want a say,” I interjected.
“It was my only form of rebellion.”
“Well,” Declan said respectfully, uneasily shifting from one foot to the other. “We’ll leave you to the festivities. We simply wanted to come and congratulate you two.”
“Thanks, you guys.” Calliope nodded. They both hugged her before they walked away.
“Are Declan and Allura going to bond anytime soon?” I asked when they were gone.
“Huh?” She looked at me in surprise. Had I said something wrong? “Oh, no. Allura’s a Sower. And Declan is a Keeper… or a Craftsman, actually. He was my honorary personal Keeper, but now I don’t know what he’ll be.”
“But they care for each other?”
“They fight it… but yes,” Calliope said, somber. I wanted to take away all of her sadness. I wanted to make it all go away, and I didn’t know how.
“We can change that, Calliope.”
“What?”
“The law. You and I can change that.”
“But your father, he would never allow it.”
“What’s he going to do? Imprison you?” I asked sardonically. She breathed a quiet laugh. “Let’s make it possible for them.”
Her eyes swelled with tears. “Do you really mean it, Sakari?”
“Every word.”
Tears filled with both elation and sadness streamed down her porcelain cheeks. I was reminded of the reason she wanted to make this law possible in the first place. Like an unyielding arrow, his name punctured my heart over and over.
I couldn’t win. Would I ever?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
CALLIOPE
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