Page 78 of A Clash of Stars

A distant voice spoke, and a moment later, the doors opened, bringing me back to the present. I could feel my heart racing with every second that passed. I finally peeked into the room and gasped.

It looked as if the garden was brought inside. The colors of both of our kingdoms were represented by all of the flowers that flowed throughout theroom, blush carnations, chrysanthemums, purple asters, white roses, and tons of greenery. I held a large bouquet of white roses with touches of small pink flowers mixed throughout.

When I took a step into the room, everything fell silent in my head. Complete silence. I looked around at the people watching me, many with blank expressions and others with smiles, but my eyes searched for Amari.

When I did, I could see the tears she was holding back in her eyes. Next to her, the King held no expression, which was unsurprising, which left me with one more person.

My soon-to-be husband, Evander.

When I held his gaze, his eyes widened slightly. I couldn’t tell if it was out of fearfulness or surprise, but it didn’t matter at this point. It was either I married him or died. At least by marrying him, I was able to buy some time to break this curse. Giving up my dream of marrying the love of my life was something I would have to deal with later.

I continued to walk toward him, and his features started to soften. I could sense his deep breaths as his chest rose and fell. The focus on me was so intense I thought his stare would burn me. For a moment, it felt like it was only the two of us in the room. No sounds. No others are watching. Just us.

I didn’t want to marry him. He wasn’t the person I wanted to bare my soul to, yet here I was, making a promise that would last for eternity.

Chapter 22

As I approached the bright golden altar, the officiant asked us to turn toward each other.

When we did, my heart skipped a beat. I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. Evander is hands down the most handsome man to ever live. I would bet money on it.

A million thoughts were racing through my mind when the officiant asked for Evander to remove the veil from my face. When he did, his eyes started to glow, but just enough for me to see slight specks of purple mixed into his irises. I also noticed his new hairstyle, the sides of his hair were tapered short, and the top was tousled and moved to one side, but messy and dark, just how I liked it.

I kept my heart rate calm and took slow breaths throughout the entire ceremony. Every few seconds, I would look back to Evander, but he never took his eyes off me the entire time. The officiant had to repeat instructions a few times because we were completely in our own world, and Evander knew that too.

For the first time ever, I even saw a little red spreading on his cheeks, which was sort of adorable.

With both of us now fully paying attention, the officiant asked for us to repeat after him, and we did. When it was time to officially bond our marriage witha blood tie, the officiant cut the palms of our hands and joined them together. Instantly, I felt the surge of power between us, and I knew he felt it, too, based on the way he looked at me. Like we had a secret, but no one else could know.

I tried my best to pay attention to the small moments throughout the ceremony, but with my current place in my mind, I couldn’t register everything to memory. Maybe later, I could sit down and have a moment with my thoughts but not right now. I wanted to be in this moment completely.

Before we were announced as husband and wife, a marking appeared across my right hand, our marriage bond. I watched as the same marking appeared on his hand, then my eyes pulled to his, and I saw him take a deep breath before the final task we had in the ceremony.

Take a deep breath.

My look told him I was confused about him communicating with me. This is the one thing about him that I couldn’t figure out. Certain people have this power of communication, like Luke. Others who are mates also have the same power. How is he able to do this?

I don’t know if you can see, but I am totally flipping you off right now. What did you do to Madok?

I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, and he is fine, Clara. I’m about to kiss you, so shut up and pay attention.

The officiant’s voice overwhelmed our quiet conversation, “To seal this marriage, you are to kiss the bride.” The officiant gestured to Evander to lead the way as he stepped out of the way for it to be just us together on the altar. On display for everyone in attendance.

Evander took a strong step towards me, wrapping his strong left hand around my waist and his right hand cupping my neck. When he pulled me in, I smelled the teakwood and the light scent of roses, wrapping me in a tight hug.

I’m going to kiss you now, Clara. Pretend you love it.

I closed my eyes, and I felt his soft lips touch mine in the most gentle, tender kiss. All the noise around us quieted, making me feel like it was just the two of us there together.

Behind my eyes, I saw the swirls of gold and small pieces of vision, some I had seen before in the tunnels we were once trapped in. This time the pieces were more clear. There were large crowds of people yelling on what can only be described as a battlefield, and I was screaming, holding a sword, and fighting. Another broken vision was of the two of us kissing multiple times, like a montage of us. The last one was the most concerning. I was running and this creature appeared with white feather-like wings. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing, but that’s when he pulled away, and the roaring sounds of the crowd started.

Before we turned to be presented to the crowd of Asterian people, I noticed it just slightly. There was a gold flashing from under his collar, a marking. We were presented to the people, and we briskly walked hand in hand back up the aisle. Once we made it outside the doors, he surprised me.

He pulled me into him and grabbed my face with both hands. Tilting his forehead to mine as he whispered, “This is not how I imagined you choosing me, but I promise I will prove to you that I am a man of my word, and I won’t let you down. I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you. You must know that I had to do it. When we are away from this place, I will tell you everything. I promise. The marking on my neck is glamoured to convince the King that I have a mate that is not you, and that is why you don’t have one on your neck as well. Please understand that I am sorry for everything, Clara.”

Then he kissed me, this time not as gently. He kissed me with so much power I could feel it scorching through his pulse into mine. This time I surprised myself by cupping my hands around his neck to pull him closer.

A cough interrupted us, the Queen. “The two of you need to make haste. People are waiting at the celebration feast.”

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