Long after the conversation ended, the tension between my mother and me lingered. It sat heavy in the room, like an uninvited guest refusing to leave. I didn’t know how to react to her rawness—if I was supposed to, or if she even expected me to. Knowing her, she’d probably had outbursts like this with Cullen or Camille before, but not me. Never me.

And now? I wasn’t sure what to do with the silence she left behind.

I shifted uncomfortably, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of my sleeve. For so long, I’d seen her as untouchable, unshakeable. But now” Now I’d seen something different. A crack in her armour. Vulnerability, maybe. Or rage honed into a weapon, sharp and purposeful. Either way, it was unsettling.

Thankfully, the tension broke when Julia and Luciana breezed into the room, their arms overflowing with soft fabrics and shimmering accessories. Their chatter about preparations for my night with Devon, cut through the heaviness. Then they spotted my mother, and their movements faltered. Julia froze mid-step, while Luciana straightened like a soldier caught slouching before her commanding officer.

I bit back a smile. My mother had that effect on everyone.

To my surprise, her face softened—just slightly—as she watched them move around in silence. She didn’t say anything, but her gaze lacked the usual sharpness. Maybe she was tired. Maybe she’d said all she needed to say. Or maybe there was some part of her that appreciated the break in the storm.

“Mother,” I said cautiously, testing the waters. “Julia suggested something earlier.”

Her attention snapped to me, expectant but guarded. “Oh?”

“She thinks I should consider forming a soul contract with a Faerie.”

Her reaction was so predictable. Her eyes narrowed into sharp slits, her voice cutting through the room like a whip. “Absolutely not.”

I sighed, bracing myself for her inevitable lecture. “I knew you’d say that.”

“Because you should know better.” My mother folded her arms, the fabric of her gown whispering as it moved. Her gaze locked onto mine, and her jaw tightened like she was physically holding back harsher words. “Do you understand what you’re suggesting? Binding your soul to a Faerie is both risky and reckless. Faeries are bound by their own rules, Celeste. They twist words, manipulate intentions. Once you form a contract, you can never take it back.”

Her eyes shifted to Julia who had the good sense to avoid direct eye contact.. “And you thought this was sound advice?”

Julia’s wings twitched, the faintest ripple of anxiety crossing her face. “I believe it is a viable option, Lady Le Torneau,” she said, and I watched her hands fidgeted at her sides.

“I know the risks,” I interjected, standing straighter to meet my mother’s accusing stare. “But the Faes won’t back me without something binding. You saw what Garythorn did tonight. If one Faerie could shift the tide, I need that. We need that.”

My mother’s lips pressed together, her expression cold as she watched me. “Did Julia conveniently forget to mention that summoning a Faerie involves entering the Fae district? That means treading into the heart of the D—Quan house’s territory.”

I turned my head sharply to Julia. “You didn’t say that.”

Julia shifted her weight, her wings dipping slightly as her fingers tapped once against her arm. “It’s a common misconception,” she admitted. “The D—Quan house controls much of the Fae district, yes, but I am royal-class Fae. I can summon a Faerie without their interference.”

Mother tilted her head, the curve of her brow high enough to send a lesser being scrambling. “And you’re sure your status will be enough to bypass the D—Quan house’s as intermediaries?”

Julia lifted her chin, her amber eyes shining. “I would not risk her grace’s safety without certainty, Lady Le Torneau. Gaia herself would end me if I betrayed my contract of service to Lady Irving or acted in bad faith.”

Mother considered her, fingers drumming once against the back of the chair she stood beside. Then she exhaled sharply through her nose, her gaze moving back to me. “We’ll revisit this tomorrow,” she said. Her shoulders relaxed slightly. “Julia, you and I will have a more” detailed conversation later. Come find me in the guest house.”

She turned toward the door but stopped, glancing back at me with an almost mischievous curve to her lips. “For now, Celeste, I don’t imagine the Alpha would appreciate us keeping you from him on your wedding night. He’s hardly hidden his desire to ravish you.”

Heat crawled up my neck, and I groaned, covering my face with both hands. “Mother, please.”

She ignored me entirely, smoothing the front of her gown as she stepped toward the door. “Oh, don’t be coy. It’s not as though it’s a secret what you’ll be doing tonight.”

Luciana let out a soft snort, her silver brows arching as she leaned against the table. Julia’s grin spread, her wings giving a playful flick as she exchanged a glance with Luciana.

“Enjoy yourself, Celeste,” Mother said over her shoulder. “You’ll need your strength.”

The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me with two very amused attendees and a face so hot it could’ve rivalled Mother’s fire affinity.

Luciana finally cracked, her composed demeanour breaking as she let out a laugh. She leaned against the edge of the table, her silver hair shimmering in the soft glow of the sconces. “Holy Gaia,” she managed between chuckles. “Your mother” she’s a legend.”

“Go away,” I hissed, my eyes squeezed shut in utter horror.

Julia grinned as she lounged back in her chair, her wings giving a lazy flick. “She’s just” unbelievable,” she said, shaking her head as if she were still processing the spectacle. “That was the best entertainment I’ve had all year.”

“I hate both of you,” I mumbled, peeking out from between my fingers, though the words carried no bite.

Luciana wiped at the corner of her eye, her laughter softening but not entirely fading. “You’re going to need much thicker skin than that if you plan to survive here, your grace.”

Dropping my hands, I shot them both a glare. “If either of you so much as breathes a word about this again, I will personally throw you into the lake.”

Julia shrugged with an impish grin. “Worth it.”

Luciana finally straightened, her posture slipping back into its usual elegance. “Now,” she said, her tone sweet, “shall we start preparing you for your ravishing?”

“Luciana!” I snapped, my face heating all over again.

She just winked, reaching for the wardrobe where the gown they’d designed. “Come on, Julia. Let’s make her unforgettable.”

Julia gave me a look that was equal parts excitement and teasing as she stood. I groaned, sinking into the nearest chair, my head in my hands, my dignity in tatters.

Mother’s parting words wouldn’t leave me, no matter how much I willed them away. Enjoy yourself.

As mortifying as it had been, I couldn’t deny the small, traitorous flicker of anticipation curling in my chest. I was about stepping into the unknown and it was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

And Devon, for all his charm and strength, was now mine.

“Let’s get this over with,” I muttered to no one in particular, shifting on my feet.

Julia snickered. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.”

“Gaia, give me strength to not send them to your bossom,” I said under my breath, shooting both of them a glare as they set to work around me.

But even as I tried to summon annoyance at their teasing, my thoughts drifted to the man waiting for me tonight. The anticipation sent a ripple of nerves through me, settling low in my stomach.

Julia and Luciana worked quickly but carefully, their hands tugging, smoothing, and adjusting the gown. I stood in the centre of the room like a statue, arms slightly raised, feeling less like a bride and more like a doll being fussed over.

“Hold still, your grace,” Luciana chided gently as she knelt to adjust the lace over my hips. The gown was a deep midnight blue, sheer in places, nearly black, with white lace that teased the skin beneath. It hugged my body perfectly, pooling at the floor like liquid silk. Each step made the fabric flow like water.

“I am holding still,” I snapped, though my toes betrayed me by tapping softly against the floor. My nerves felt like live wires under my skin.

“Not with that restless foot, you’re not,” Julia said with a grin, kneeling to fuss with the hem. Her wings gave a slight flutter as she tilted her head to study her work. “We can feel your nerves from here.”

“I’m not nervous,” I lied, lifting my chin in defiance, even as heat crawled up my neck.

Luciana gave a soft snort, standing to inspect the finished look. “You’re about to spend the night alone with your mate for the first time. It’s fine to feel nervous. Excited, even.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t excited,” I muttered before I could stop myself.

Julia straightened, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Oh, we can see that,” she said, crossing her arms and grinning like she’d won some invisible prize. “No need to deny it.”

“Will you both stop talking?” I shot back, fidgeting with the delicate lace at my wrist.

Luciana gave one final tug to the fabric and stepped back, surveying me with a satisfied look. “You’re ready,” she said. “Lord Irving won’t know what hit him.”

Luciana turned me gently by the shoulders to face the large gilded mirror on the wall. My breath caught. For a moment, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.

The gown shimmered like something out of a dream, its deep, midnight hues perfectly complementing my skin and the glow of my eyes. My hair had been swept into a simple and elegant style, loose waves framing my face just enough to soften the sharp angles of my cheeks. Around my neck sat the silver necklace Devon had given me earlier, the metal cool against my skin.

“Is this really me?” I murmured, almost afraid to speak louder, as if it might shatter the illusion.

Luciana’s silver eyes met mine in the mirror. “You look exactly as you should—like a Luna.”

“And,” Julia added with a sly grin, draping a delicate wrap over my shoulders, “like someone about to drive her Alpha absolutely mad.”

I groaned, though I couldn’t help the nervous laugh that escaped. “You two are insufferable.”

“You’ll thank us in the morning,” Julia said with a wink that was far too mischievous for my liking.

Before I could come up with a retort that would do her cheekiness justice, a firm knock echoed through the room. My heart jumped into my throat, and my hands instinctively tightened around the fabric of my gown.

Julia and Luciana exchanged a knowing glance. “Speak of the devil,” Julia muttered under her breath.

Luciana moved to the door and opened it. Devon stepped inside, his presence filling the room like a sudden shift in the air.

I couldn’t move.

He was still in his ceremonial black and silver attire, though the sharp lines of his coat seemed softened now under the lantern light. His hair was slightly dishevelled, as though he’d raked his fingers through it one too many times. But it was his eyes, the stormy grey that locked onto mine the moment he entered, that made my breath hitch.

He stopped, his gaze moving slowly over me, lingering as though he was committing every detail to memory.

“Lord Irving,” Luciana greeted, dipping her head in a low bow. “Luna Irving is ready.”

His eyes flicked to Luciana and Julia, and he gave a short nod. “Thank you. You can leave us.”

Julia shot me one last cheeky glance as she curtsied. “Don’t forget to breathe, your grace,” she whispered before slipping out the door with Luciana.

The click of the door shutting behind them left the room unbearably quiet and I wasn’t sure I had the right words or the ability to speak anymore.

Devon took a step closer, and then another, his eyes never leaving mine. My stomach twisted, and I swallowed hard, trying to keep my nerves in check.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice a low hum that wrapped around me, soft and warm, like a secret spoken just for me.

The tightness in my chest eased, just a fraction, and my lips curved into a small, unsure smile. I glanced away, hoping the movement would mask the heat rising to my cheeks. “It’s just a dress,” I mumbled, the words feeling flimsy even as I said them.

“It’s not the dress.” He moved closer, and before I could process it, his hand was on my chin, firm yet gentle, tilting my face up so I had no choice but to meet his gaze. “It’s you.”

My mind stuttered to a halt. Under his stare, I felt seen in a way that was both exhilarating.

“You didn’t have to come all the way here for me,” I managed.

His lips curved into a smile, one that felt like it was meant just for me. “Of course I did.” His thumb brushed along my jaw, a touch so light it left a trail of warmth in its wake. Then his hand dropped, leaving behind the ghost of his touch. “You’re mine, remember? I don’t intend to leave you alone, ever.”

The words were simple, but they hit like a spark catching dry kindling every time he said it. Mine.

He extended his hand, his palm open in an invitation I couldn’t refuse. It was the same hand that had held mine earlier at the ceremony, grounding me when everything else felt like too much. Now, it was a promise, an anchor, and before I even thought it through, I slipped my hand into his. His warmth enveloped me instantly.

“Where are we going?” I asked as he led me toward the door.

Devon glanced back at me, his stormy eyes glinting with mischief. “You’ll see.”

The door clicked shut behind us as we stepped into the hall, and I realized my heart wasn’t pounding from nerves any more. No, this was something else entirely.

Longing.