Page 58 of Claimed By Midnight

Raven's sharp features soften, and even Koros stops fiddling with his crystals. They understand. In a world where humans are barely tolerated, where my sister fights tooth and nail for respect, where my father's reputation is both shield and cage - this choice is freedom.

The workshop'susually pristine floor is covered in fabric swatches and crystal shards. Raven sprawls across Uriel'sfavorite leather couch, her bad leg propped up as she directs Koros like a general commanding troops.

Astrid sits in the chair beside it, watching us all like she can't believe it. A week ago, when I first told her, she asked if I was sure about marrying a xaphan, but when I nodded, she only hugged me. We're working on finding a new way through our relationship, but I wanted her here to plan.

"Higher." She points to where Koros holds up a length of silk. "No, your other higher. How do you survive with such poor spatial awareness?"

Koros's mismatched eyes narrow. "I could drop this on your head."

"You wouldn't dare." But she shifts her leg slightly, ready to move if needed.

I sit cross-legged on the floor next to Astrid, sorting through the crystals Koros brought. Each one catches the light differently, creating tiny rainbows that dance across my hands. The scent of metal and citrus fills the air as Uriel works at his forge, pretending to ignore us while stealing glances every few minutes.

"What do you think?" I hold up a pale blue crystal.

Uriel sets down his hammer, golden curls damp with sweat. His wings flex as he crosses to me, kneeling to examine the stone. "Beautiful." But he's looking at me, not the crystal, his golden eyes soft in a way that makes my heart skip.

"Ugh, you two are disgusting." Raven throws a fabric swatch at us. "Save it for the honeymoon."

"I think it's cute," Astrid murmurs, watching me.

"You're just jealous." Uriel's smile turns cruel, transforming his soft features into something darker, more demonic. "When's the last time someone looked at you like that?"

"Last night, actually." She stretches, wings rustling. "Unlike some people, I don't need to wait for marriage to?—"

"Children present." Koros drops the silk on her face.

"I'm getting married." I remind them. "I'm hardly a child."

Astrid laughs. "I agree with Koros."

He nods to her. "You'll always be our little healer." Koros ruffles my hair with his massive hand, surprisingly gentle despite his size.

Uriel's eyes flash at that, possessive and heated. He pulls me closer, his wings creating a shield around us. "Mine."

"Yours." I touch his face, tracing the perfect lines of his features. "But they're still helping with the wedding."

"Unfortunately." But his cruel smile softens as he presses a kiss to my palm.

The afternoon dissolves into laughter and bickering, with Raven and Koros arguing over every detail, Astrid trying to give actual input, while Uriel pretends to work, his attention constantly drawn back to me. It's chaotic and perfect, this strange family we've built, and my heart feels too full to contain it all.

31

ATHENA

Istand before the full-length mirror, morning light streaming through the stained glass windows and casting rainbow patterns across my white gown. The dress flows like water, crystals catching light at every movement. Koros's enchanted gems shift from pale blue to rose pink, betraying my joy.

"Stop fidgeting." Raven's deft fingers weave more crystals into my honey-blonde curls. "Though I must say, you're the calmest bride I've ever seen."

"Why would I be nervous?" The reflection shows my golden-green eyes bright with happiness. "This is exactly what I want."

Raven's violet eyes meet mine in the mirror as she adjusts the delicate lace along my neckline - a compromise between her daring tastes and my more modest preferences. Her dove-gray wings twitch with barely contained excitement.

"Most brides are a mess by now. Crying, second-guessing, wondering if they're making a mistake." She pins another crystal into my hair. "But here you are, grinning like you've already won."

"Because I have." I touch the fabric, marveling at how it shimmers. "For once, no one's trying to protect me or tell me what to do. This is my choice."

"And what a choice." Raven steps back to admire her work. The warrior's usual sharp edges have softened. "You look like something out of a dream. Uriel won't know what hit him."

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