Chapter 214

Chapter 214
+25 Bonus
Third person POV
The music changed again, slower this time – something deep and old that carried through the night air like a heartbeat.
Cassian leaned against one of the courtyard pillars, his arm casually draped around Rae’s shoulders as they watched the crowd. Rae was still laughing from the last dance, her cheeks flushed pink and her hair curling at her temples from the heat of the fire.
“Moonstone really knows how to throw a party,” she said breathlessly.
Cassian smiled down at her. “It’s all Alaric. He pretends he hates the attention, but I think he’s been waiting years to have an excuse to throw something like this.”
Rae nudged him playfully. “You’re biased.”
“Absolutely,” he admitted, leaning in to kiss her temple.
Her laughter softened into something gentler. “It’s good to see everyone happy. It feels like the first time in a long while that people aren’t looking over their shoulders.”
Cassian hummed his agreement, scanning the dance floor. Not everyone looks happy.”
Rae followed his gaze
and saw what he meant.
At the center of the crowd, Nolan and Ellie were dancing.
It wasn’t the graceful, polished kind of dance people performed for appearances – it was slower, rawer. They moved together as if the world had narrowed to just the space between them.
A space that was barely existent. Nolan’s arms were around her, holding Ellie close to his chest, his chin resting on her head. Ellie’s hands were on his back, fisting his shirt like she needed an anchor.
Ellie’s eyes were downcast, her lips parted as if she were trying not to speak. Nolan looked as though he were afraid to breathe too hard and break the moment.
It was almost tragic the way they were clinging to each other, like they needed the excuse of the dance to admit how badly they needed to be close, even for just a few minutes.
Rae’s smile faded into something wistful. “They look like they’re remembering something.”
Cassian nodded slowly. “Or trying not to.”
His concern for his sister was still present, but he found himself feeling equally worried about Nolan. He knew how much the distance was tearing at him and, somehow, he’d come to consider Nolan a friend.
A few yards away, Lance stood with Isla near one of the drink tables. Isla was striking- tall and sharp-featured, her honey-blonde hairpinned up loosely and her amber eyes catching the lanternlight. She wore the confidence of someone who didn’t care what anyone thought of her, which both amused and intrigued Lance to no end.
“So that’s your brother and his infamous rogue wife?” Isla asked, her tone casual but curious.
“That’s them,” Lance said, glancing toward the dance floor “It’s a long story.”
“I have time,” she said, sipping her drink.
He huffed a laugh. “You say that now.”
“Try me.”
Chapter 214
+25 Bonus
Lance looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. “They were fated mates. He loved someone else. It went badly. Then worse. Then better. Then worse again. It’s been… a whole saga.”
Isla arched a brow. “And now?”
He followed her gaze. Nolan and Ellie were still dancing, oblivious to everyone else. “Now? They’re pretending it’s over. But it’s not.”
Isla hummed softly. “It never really is, is it?”
Lance looked at her then, really looked at the quiet confidence in her smile, the way
her eyes softened when she said it. For a moment, he forgot to answer.
She tilted her head, smirking slightly. “What?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly, taking a sip of his drink. “Just surprised.”
“By?”
“That you don’t seem particularly horrified by the idea of arranged engagements.” She laughed, low and warm. “Oh, I’m horrified. But I’m also realistic. The council wants stability. You’re charming enough. I could do worse.”
Lance blinked. “That’s… almost a compliment.”
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
Across the courtyard, Rae and Cassian had made their way over, still hand in hand. Rae greeted Isla warmly, while Cassian raised a brow at Lance.
“So,” Cassian said, nodding toward the dance floor, “how’s he holding up?”
Lance sighed. “Depends on whether you mean emotionally or in terms of not making a scene.”
“Both.”
“He’s surviving.”
Rae smiled faintly, watching Ellie and Nolan sway in the center of the crowd. “It’s strange, isn’t it? Everyone in this place is celebrating, and yet those two look like they’re standing in the middle of a storm.”
Cassian nodded slowly. “It’s not strange. That’s what love looks like when it’s still half war.” Rae leaned her head against his shoulder. “Do you think they’ll ever stop fighting?”
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