CHAPTER LII
"Morning After Magic"
Celeste's POV
The morning sunlight spilled across the marble floor like golden silk, brushing against my skin and warming me in the softest way. It was a new day — quiet, bright, and full of something I hadn't felt in a long time.
> Peace.
Even though last night didn't turn out the way most might imagine between two newlyweds… I didn't mind.
There were no fireworks, no stolen breaths echoing past midnight.
But what did happen between Cael and me…
> It was everything.
A kiss.
A hesitation.
A heartbeat shared.
And in those moments — I saw a side of her no one else did.
> Her awkwardness. Her blush. Her crooked little smile when she thought I wasn't looking.
And to me, that was more intimate than anything physical ever could be.
That was real.
I sat on the edge of our bed, brushing my fingers over the place where her warmth still lingered on the sheets. My heart felt light, but full. Whole.
> I wasn't just in love anymore. I was hers.
Truly. Finally.
And she — Caelum — she was mine.
Not just by a bond or a ceremony or a kiss under moonlight.
But because she let me see her.
The broken pieces, the guarded edges — all of it.
> That was more than I ever dreamed of.
Just as I stood to stretch, there was a soft knock at the door.
I padded over quietly and opened it —
> And there they were.
Ivory and Olivia — both grinning ear to ear like they'd been waiting since dawn for this very moment.
> "Soooo?" Olivia asked, almost bursting. "How was last night?" "Tell us everything!" Ivory added, practically dragging me by the arm inside before I could even speak.
I laughed, cheeks already warming at their enthusiasm.
> "Relax," I said, motioning for them to sit. "Let me breathe first."
They flopped down onto the cushions like two gossip-starved kittens, wide-eyed and waiting.
So, I told them.
> Everything.
How she kissed me — hesitant, gentle, like she wasn't sure she was allowed to want me.
How I kissed her back like I never wanted her to doubt it again.
How we didn't go further — not because we didn't want to — but because Cael needed to feel safe.
> And I respected that.
I told them how she looked at me when I bit her — half angry, half stunned — and how I couldn't stop laughing at the mark it left.
I told them how we fell asleep facing each other, no space between us… and yet all the space we needed.
By the time I was done, Ivory had her hand over her heart and Olivia was wiping away what I was pretty sure was a tear of joy.
> "You two are the strangest, slowest, most stubborn lovers I've ever seen," Ivory said, shaking her head affectionately. "But I've never seen Cael look at anyone like she looks at you," Olivia added softly. "She's never let anyone this close."
I smiled at that. A slow, blooming smile I didn't bother to hide.
Because now…
> I wasn't just the girl who fell in love with the cursed heir.
> I was her Queen.
And last night — even if it wasn't loud or wild or dramatic — I saw the beginning of something far deeper than desire.
> I saw love in its rawest form.
And I'd choose it — and her — again and again, every morning after.
Forever.
"The Kingdom, The Ride, and Her Hands Around Me"
Celeste's POV
After a warm bath and a few quiet moments spent staring at my reflection — the soft glow on my cheeks still lingering from last night — I stepped into the garden, dressed and ready to face the day.
The air was fresh and kissed with floral warmth. Dew still sparkled on the petals as if the kingdom itself had woken up in celebration.
And then I heard them.
> "Celeste!"
I turned and saw Flash, Chiko, and Rira rushing toward me with the kind of excited energy only they could carry.
> "Come on!" Flash said with a wide grin. "We've decided to give you the grand tour of the entire kingdom. You've seen barely anything yet!"
I blinked, surprised.
> "Wait—what about Cael? Where is she?"
Flash waved a hand casually.
> "She went to meet some of the villagers, check in with the locals. You know Cael — duty first, feelings later."
I smiled softly at that. It was so like her to put her people before herself.
> "Alright then," I nodded. "Let's go."
Chiko clapped his hands and disappeared for a moment — only to return with a beautifully crafted royal chariot, carved in gold and moonwood, adorned with violet silks and fairy sigils. I climbed in gracefully.
Just as we were about to start our journey, Olivia and Ivory appeared out of nowhere — as usual, perfectly timed and utterly dramatic.
> "Oh no, no, no," Olivia said, sliding into the chariot beside me.
"You're the new bride of the realm now," Ivory added, taking the other side. "You can't just wander around alone. That's practically asking for trouble."
I raised an eyebrow, amused.
> "What kind of trouble are we talking about?"
> "Negative energy," Olivia whispered, dead serious. "This land still holds some cursed air in its corners. You're glowing with new love — and that attracts… things."
Before I could roll my eyes, Flash chimed in from outside.
> "Honestly, is there any negative energy more terrifying than Cael herself?"
Ivory turned slowly and pulled him by the ear.
> "What did you just say?"
> "Ouch! Okay, okay, I surrender!" Flash cried, hands in the air. "Please, my lady, mercy! I'm just a humble fairy!"
Olivia laughed, clearly enjoying the chaos, and said,
> "Alright Ivory, let him go. Let's not leave bruises on the guide."
Just then, Chiko gave the signal to move, and the chariot began to roll forward…
But before it could go very far, it came to an abrupt halt.
> "Whoa, whoa!" Chiko said, pulling the reins.
We all looked up — and there she was.
Caelum.
Walking toward us with her usual calm power, dressed in royal black and silver, eyes locked onto me.
> "Cael?" I asked, surprised.
She didn't speak at first. Instead, she walked up to Chiko and said quietly,
> "Take Ivory and Olivia with you. Let Flash and Rira go too."
> "And you?" Chiko asked, confused.
She turned to me then — and her voice was steady, soft, full of quiet command.
> "I'll take Celeste myself."
Flash, always the loud one, immediately jumped in.
> "Wait — on one horse? Are you two even going to fit? And what about the whole 'negative energy' thing Princess Ivory just warned us about?"
Cael turned her head slowly and gave him that look.
The one that made even mountains reconsider their position.
> "Oh…" Flash mumbled. "Right. None of my business."
Before I could react, Cael held out her hand toward me.
Without hesitation, I placed mine in hers.
> Her touch was firm. Warm. Confident.
She helped me down from the chariot like I was made of stars, then guided me to her horse.
> She climbed on behind me, settling close — her arms lightly encircling my waist, her breath brushing against the back of my neck.
> "Ready?" she asked.
I didn't trust my voice enough to answer.
I simply nodded.
And together — we rode off.
Past the palace gates.
Past the morning mist.
Past everyone's curious gazes and whispers.
> Just the two of us.
And as the wind played with our hair and the landscape opened before us — hills, lakes, skies stretched in endless wonder — I leaned back ever so slightly, resting against her.
Because in this moment…
> I didn't care about rituals, or curses, or shadows.
All I felt was her.
> My Caelum.
My wife.
My anchor in a world too magical to believe.
And as we galloped deeper into the heart of this enchanted kingdom…
> I knew:
Wherever she was taking me, I would follow.
Always.
To be continue....