Page 4 of All the Pain of Promises
Narissa lowered her chin and sucked in another greedy gulp of air.
Her wedding gown was suffocating. The soft and decadent chiffon stuck to her skin, smothering her. She’d needed a moment to collect herself after their vows, to keep herself from crying in front of him. Humiliation spread through her once more, a ruthless blush staining her cheeks. Solarius had everyintention of dropping her, of letting her topple into the sand without a care. She’d seen it in his eyes a second before he let her go. Lucky for her, his eldest brother Ariesian had seen his intent as well and caught her by the elbow.
Despite wanting to slap him across the face for such churlish behavior, Narissa couldn’t be furious with him. Not really. She was the one who had offered him her cheek instead of her lips when he attempted to seal their vows with a kiss. It wasn’t that she didn’twantto kiss him. In fact, her desires were quite the opposite. But she was absolutely terrified. Solarius had been the epitome of an honorable lord during their courtship a few years prior—he’d been attentive, chivalrous, and exceptionally refined. So much so, that he never kissed her then, either. But Narissa told herself that the moment their lips met, their magic would claim one another, and Solarius would be her mate. Her perfect match in every sense of the word. For how could he possibly be anything else?
The enchanting moon and the alluring tides called to one another, such a fate was designed before even the rise of stars. And Solarius, he had moonlight running through his veins. She’d witnessed his power firsthand, the forceful yet wondrous sphere he called the lunarstorm. When he was engulfed in the magic of the moon and all of her phases, when he’d been doused in that glow of silvery light, Narissa’s blood stirred. Her tidal magic awoke, beckoned to the surface by Solarius’s unintentional summons. She’d known then, if she were to ever kiss him, they would be bound together for an eternity.
But kissing Solarius was something she could never bring herself to do.
Not after…not after all she’d endured from him. Not after he stole her heart, then crushed it with a vengeful fist. He’d done the unthinkable, the callous and cruel. And the wound he’d left behind on her soul had never fully healed. She was wed to amale who used her to get what he wanted, then abandoned her without a second thought.
So, she’d been left with no choice and had refused to kiss him at their wedding. She’d insulted him plainly in front of their families and friends, and perhaps worse, before most of Aeramere’s nobles. There was no doubt rumors would circulate through all five houses and reach every corner of the realm, as most of the lords and ladies loved nothing more than to gossip. It was bad enough Queen Elowyn had failed to make an appearance at their wedding, especially considering she and Lady Trysta Starstorm, Solarius’s mother, had been friends for a number of years. Now, the whispers would only strengthen.
They would call her a tease for denying him a kiss.
He would be offered pity and sympathy for marrying such a snobbish wife, and Narissa had no doubt it was only a matter of time before Solarius received propositions from plenty of other females who were ready and willing to warm his bed.
Her stomach soured at the thought.
She sniffled then, the tingling sensation in her nose building until a single tear slipped from her eye. She watched in the mirror as it rolled down her cheek, forming a perfect, opalescent pearl.
Narissa let it fall.
Only when her tears were tied to an emotion did they turn to pearls, otherwise they remained simple beads of saltwater. And that particular teardrop was bound to sorrow.
The pearl hit the ground at her feet, bouncing and tinkling like faerie bells, before it rolled across the smooth teal floor into a forgotten corner.
She sucked in another shuddering breath, her insides seizing against the crush of despair that refused to relinquish its hold.
“Narissa?” a delicate, feminine voice called out quietly.
Turning around quickly, Narissa swiped at her eyes to prevent any more tears or pearls from escaping, and came face to face with Lady Sarelle Starstorm.
Her beautiful midnight hair was twisted into a thick plait over one shoulder with moonstone charms woven through the inky strands. Her gown was simple yet svelte, the cobalt satin swept off her shoulders and hugged her waist before pooling at her feet in a sea of evening blue. Diamonds studded the long sleeves and a small constellation tattoo outlining three mountain peaks was formed over her heart. When she tilted her head, the stardust smearing her cheeks sparkled like the night sky.
“Are you well?” Sarelle asked, her deep sapphire eyes darkening with concern.
Sarelle was one of Solarius’s four sisters. There were eight Starstorm siblings in total, and Narissa always found herself oddly jealous of the large, lovely, and welcoming family. She had no brothers or sisters and had been orphaned at a young age. When her parents died, it was her eldest cousin Reif Marintide who took her in and cared for her, who ensured she had a home and a place in society.
Unfortunately, it was also Reif who agreed with Lord Ariesian Starstorm to marry her off to Solarius.
Narissa clasped her hands before her, fiddling with the dozens of gold rings wrapped around her thumbs and fingers. “I’m not entirely sure. I worry I won’t be well ever again.”
Sarelle’s features softened, and a ghost of a smile graced her lips. “It’s going to be okay, you’ll see. I know Solarius can be difficult and frustrating, but I promise, his heart is good.”
Narissa once thought so, too. But that was before…
“How can I possibly face him?” She ducked her head, her golden waves tumbling around her like a gilded waterfall.“Solarius cannot stand me. My very presence infuriates him. You saw the look on his face when I gave him my cheek.”
“It was a bit harsh to deny him.” Sarelle winced and pressed her painted red lips together. “Why didn’t you kiss him?”
“Because…” Narissa opened her mouth but words, therightwords, failed her. “Because I didn’t want to imagine something that might not be there.”
Because she didn’t want to fall in love with him. She didn’t want to be fated to him, not after what he did to her.
“I understand.” Sarelle reached out and looped their arms together. Slowly and with practiced confidence, she guided Narissa back out into the ballroom of House Azurvend, where it looked as though a seaside wonderland had been kissed by winter.
Mosaic tiles the color of ocean mist and shimmering sand swirled across the floor, shaping crashing waves and winding shorelines. Sprigs of holly wrapped around golden pillars, the tips of their prickly evergreen leaves dusted with frost. Icy blue waterfalls cascaded down the circular balconies, flowing into serpentine streams that surrounded the main floor where couples danced and twirled to a jovial tune. Sea glass snowflakes floated overhead, each one in varying shades of turquoise, soft rose, pale green, and light blue. Faerie fire glinted from carved sconces of driftwood lining the walls, musicians were seated on a small dais, their beautiful melody echoing through the vast ballroom, and the air was scented with stunning bouquets of winterblooms and lush berries.
