Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Zuriel

She was giving me a way out. Why was she giving me a way out? Didn’t she want this?

‘She saw you’re miserable, that’s why,’ Riel says.

‘Miserable isn’t the word I’d use,’

‘But that’s how she sees it. You’re angry and cold towards the little Princess!’ he accuses. Was I angry and cold towards her? I was just being myself. It can’t be helped. It’s how I’ve always felt and lived.

I can’t back out of the wedding. The bullying of Elara will be constant, and I need this marriage to happen for my benefit, too.

‘Connor, Connor,’ those words from her lips play in my head. She called her name in her sleep. Why the fuck does she love him after what he did to her? I shall never understand her.

‘It was weeks ago. Get over it,’ Riel groans.

I close my eyes momentarily, removing all thought of Princess Elara in my head,

There was an issue of River. She was back now, and I needed to tell her what was happening. The news of my marriage will break her heart, especially since she confessed many times that she was in love with me.

I hear soft footsteps approach from upstairs. River looks well-rested and has a smile on her face. She attempts to sit on my lap, but I put her beside me. She tilts her neck in confusion but smiles.

‘I missed you so much, Zuriel,’

‘I’m getting married,’ I break the news of my marriage before she can think of other things. She laughs but stops when she realizes I’m serious.

‘No,’ she cries, ‘ You can not do that, not after I’m back. Not after what happened to me!’

Oh boy. River is crying for good now. Her petite frame is shaking under the large gown she is wearing.

‘No, please, Zuriel, I fought so much just to get back to you. I have no one but you,’ she sniffs. I caress her hair.

‘You’ll be well taken care of, River. I’ll provide a house, money, and the best medical care. Everything you will ever need,’ I tell her.

‘It’s not about money, Zuriel!’ she shouts, ‘ It’s about me and you. I know you don’t love me as much as I love you, but that’s okay. My love is enough for both of us,’ she sobs again. If I wasn’t already guilty, I’m feeling it harder now. I move away from her and take a deep breath.

‘I’m sorry, River. I have no choice,’ I tell her.

‘No, you’re Zuriel Crawford. You always have a choice. You have to find a way out,’ she demands.

I understand River’s pain. She has been through so much because of me, and what I should have done was be with her as she wanted. I managed to calm her, and she wrapped her arms around her.

‘So you have no choice but to marry that little Princess?’

‘Heck, I don’t want to get married to anyone,’

‘I believe you have no option because I know how you feel about marriage,’ She detaches herself from me. I’m trying not to push her off me.

‘Zuriel, I want to be close to you,’

‘I’m not sleeping with you, River,’ I tell her. There is a silent pause before she says,

‘No, I mean. I can’t stay alone after what happened to me. I get terrible nightmares, and I can’t stay with people I don’t know properly, either. I want to stay here with you until I get my life back, please,’ she begs. I looked at her for a minute.

‘This is the dumbest shit you’ll ever do,’ my wolf says. I inhale,

‘ Don’t do this. It is trouble,’

‘Of course,’ I tell River. Soon, she’ll get her old life back. I can wait. I can give her this much. She wraps her arms around me, and this time, I hold her arms and push her from me gently.

‘The hugs need to stop,’ I tell her seriously.

Elara

Zuriel hasn’t contacted me to back out of the wedding. What was he thinking? I gave him a way out. I would live with the shame of the videos and insults. No one would blame him. Could it be that he felt something for me, too?

I continue eating my breakfast. My brother asks me with his eyes if I’m alright, and I nod.

‘Are you excited to get married?’ My younger brother, Killian, asks. I nod and take a bite into my bagel.

‘Of course, she’s marrying the love of her life,’ Mom says with a smile. It was no secret in my family that I was in love with Zuriel.

I wanted to be happy with this marriage, but why would I if Zuriel wasn’t?

‘If he hasn’t called to tell you to back out, maybe he loves us,’ Ara says. She has been too excited since our wedding was announced.

I glanced at my phone. Every time it rings. My heartbeat erratically in my chest, thinking it is Zuriel, wanting to accept.

‘Azura is coming for your wedding,’ mom informs me. Azura is her dear friend in the world. She loves to travel with her husband, Zac, and they bring us presents.

‘I miss her. I’m so glad they are flying in,’ I say. The breakfast goes on smoothly. However, I notice my brother, Khai, is glum. I open my mouth to ask what is wrong when I feel a sharp pain in my chest. I grip the edge of the table. I will never get used to the pain of betrayal. I blink a few times. My vision is already blurry.