Page 82 of A Clash of Stars

Yum.

“You have a bag packed in the bathroom. My mom packed it for you. Go ahead and get dressed before I change my mind and force you to stay in this bed,” he growled out at me.

I stood up quickly and went to the bathroom to change. When I did, I noticed all of the markings that took over my body. My family marking that covered my lower back, my power marking that extended over my left wrist and hand, and now my marriage bond that displayed two large trees that grow into one another, forming one solid tree with two firm bases on my right hand.

I found the bag that was packed on the counter. I grabbed some clothes and changed quickly into a white linen dress that cupped my shoulders, and then I slipped on golden leather sandals. My breath was awful, so I found a pink toothbrush in the bag, which I assumed was mine, unless his new favorite color was pink.

Coming out of the bathroom, he had already changed into his casual clothes, which consisted of a black button-down and trousers to match. It was truly a wondrous sight to see.

“I have a few things I need to finish up within the bathroom, and I’ll be right out.” As he passed me, he stopped and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. I felt complacent about his affection.

My thoughts drifted back to Madok. Where was he? Was he okay?

I looked around the room, assuming it was his. I wondered if this was the room he grew up in. Then I noticed his desk. There were tons of drawings, and then I saw a small black book sticking out of the corner of the drawer.

I picked it up, and when I opened it, my eyes were stunned. It was me. A portrait of me in my wedding dress. I was amazed at the details he placed in the other drawings, some were of people I knew, but others were of creatures I had never seen before. I was tempted to look through the rest when I heard him rustling with bags in the bathroom. I immediately put it back where I found itand walked towards the door that leads into the hallway of the castle to wait for him.

Walking out of the bathroom, carrying a few bags, “Ready to go, princess?” he questioned me.

I smiled and nodded as he walked towards me, placing his hand over my neck, and I flinched. The last two times he placed his hand around my neck was to intimidate me, to make me feel lesser than him.

He leaned towards my ear and whispered, “One day, you’ll be asking me to wrap my fingers around your neck like this.”

Then he kissed my forehead and opened the door.

We’ll see, big boy.

We walked outside of the castle to the carriage, where we were greeted by the King and Queen. The King didn’t interact with us, but the Queen did. First, she kissed Evander on the cheeks and pinched them, causing him to groan a little. Then she came to me, embracing me.

“Clara, I hope you enjoy your honeymoon. You will certainly have an adventure.” She pulled back, smiling at me, and walked away. What could she mean by an adventure?

I glanced back at the King. He was spared this time, but next time he wouldn’t be so lucky. I will destroy him, and it’s not a question of if but when. A warm hand startled me from my thoughts as I turned to see who the hand belonged to.

“Let’s go, little bear,” Evander whispered to me, and I couldn’t help but smile.

We climbed in the carriage and waved our goodbyes. When I turned to face him, he was already looking at me. I choked out, “So, where does this honeymoon take us?”

“Well, it’s not an actual honeymoon. It’s a trek back to your castle in Artesia to reunite you with your parents and make the formal announcement of our marriage,” he answered.

I looked confused, and it was because I genuinely was.

My parents. They are okay. They are safe.

He continued, “Your parents are waiting for us. They spoke to my mom about it. The King thinks we’re going to the bay to enjoy the views of the Sea de Glaises, but what he doesn’t know won’t kill him.”

Or maybe it could.

My eyes glanced at him, “Ugh, sorry. I forgot you can hear my thoughts.”

“It’s all right, Clara. Just because he is my mother’s husband doesn’t mean I disagree with you,” he said softly.

I sighed and watched as we continued southeast towards Artesia. After a few hours of riding, we stopped at a vendor stand that had a restroom area right outside of the kingdom of Claiborne but still inside Aster’s jurisdiction.

“I’m going to the restroom. Why don’t you take a look inside the shop to waste some time,” he offered to me.

He smiled at me before he sauntered off to the bathroom while I walked into the vendor’s shop, glancing at the different food options they had. I was craving something sweet, of course.

A startling voice interrupted my search, “Well, well…look what decided to venture into my shop today.”

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