Chapter 166

-Maya’s POV-

month’s later Epilogue 1 can’t believe I’m actually going to Italy!”

Sarah’s squeal pierced through the cabin, a high–pitched contrast to the general mood. Natalia and I exchanged a tired look. We’d both tried to temper Sarah’s excitement for Riley’s sake. For Sarah, Italy was a dream vacation. For Riley, it was a nightmare. She was about to watch her sister, Camilla, take her place in a forced marriage to a man Riley described as the devil incarnate.

Riley was staring out the window, lost in thought. Sarah’s voice cut through again. “I’ve always wanted to see–”

“Sarah!” Natalia interrupted sharply.

Sarah’s eyes widened in realization. “Sorry,” she mumbled, but the excitement in her eyes didn’t dim. I glanced at the men. Ivy and Nate were engrossed in a chess lesson, while Alex Christian, and Nathan argued over the rules. A smile crept onto my face. Alex had changed significantly in the past months. He was more relaxed, more open. He laughed more, talked more, and had even started attending family dinners with my parents. His relationship with my father a testament to the power of time and forgiveness and they had both decided to finally put the past behind them and move forward much to my relief. There were still a lot of bridges to cross but we would get there eventually.

The last months had been a rollercoaster. Alex had fully reclaimed his company, had found his PA bringing her back in. We’d been through it all together. When it came time for Riley’s sister’s wedding, I’d suggested we use his jet to be there for her. She was going through a lot, and I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Even though she’d reconciled with her father the forced marriage of her sister was a heavy burden.

I sighed, feeling a wave of sympathy for Riley and her sister altogether. Alex’s gaze met mine, and I smiled. He had a of making me instantly better.

Can I borrow you for a moment?” I mouthed. He nodded, and without another word, we both stood going towards the inner cabin.

as we closed the door, Sarah shouted, “Use a you know what in there! And no strange noises. There are children I shook my head, amused. Natalia had been wild in college, but Sarah was taking it to a whole new level.

The theme of the wedding was and I knew that I had never understood the underground world. All I knew that it with blood, maybe even more blood than the world I knew but there was something extra unnerving about this whole scene. Weddings supposed to affairs where everyone wore a smile they were happy to be there, happy for the couple. But everyone here was on guard, flickering around like were waiting for something dreadful to happen.

This wedding of the in their world, as I was told. A wedding of darkness and . The union of the two of the strongest mafia of seated at a round table for Riley, who was seated with her father and other extended family. My eyes finally went to groom the one who Riley said could be the devil himself. He did not look like the devil. This man beautiful, but one didn’t need to look know that he . Beautiful and brutal, the two words played in my head. There was something about him that , “I will kill take a single wrong in my direction.” I felt shivers run down my spine. It like Alex’s aura when I met him, quadrupled. I looked from him let my settle on Camilla She looked nothing like Riley she looked like she been picked out from a painting where goddess once stood.

She is so beautiful, took the thought right out my mind. But no amount beauty could mask the and sorrow in her eyes.

pitied her. She not stopped staring Riley and it like they silent with their eyes. Riley was I and Camila was saying going to be fine.

promise I let out a sigh. I couldn’t watch this looked at point like we had been attuned other, stopping the conversation he Christian. His held silent inquiry if was okay. I him a small nod to mask the unease I in this room filled with tension. He seemed to understand and turned back to Christian, but his hand found mine under the table giving it a reassuring squeeze The ceremony itself was nothing like traditional wedding. There were no flowers, no joyful music and no laughter. The room was dimly lit, dark hanging from the and chandeliers casting shadows.

guests were all dressed in their expressions and guarded. There was an of dread that hung the making feel more like a funeral than a wedding.

The officiant –looking deep , began the ceremony His words cold and formal, lacking any warmth or joy. Camila’s responses audible trembling as she the vows. Her hands shook as she the ring, sliding it onto the 166 she about to marry man who looked dangerous as he did beautiful.

the ceremony progressed, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. This was a union built on fear and power, not love. The guests seemed to share my sentiments, their eyes darting around the room, as expecting violence to break out at any moment. The tension palpable, and I found myself gripping Alex’s hand tighter.

Finally, the ceremony came to an end. The officiant pronounced them husband and wife, and the room erupted in a smattering of applause, more out of obligation than genuine happiness.

He didn’t wait, he pulled her to him kissing her in what looked like a promise that she was his to own then they turned to face the guests, their expressions stark contrast–her face filled with sorrow and resignation, his with cold satisfaction.

I suddenly couldn’t take it anymore. I rose to my feet, excusing myself. I needed air. It was suffocating me in here. Alex didn’t ask; he just followed me outside. I finally let out a breath and turned to him. “Well, that sucked.”

He sighed sadly. “It how things work in their world.”

I sighed too. “Doesn’t make it suck any less. I feel sorry for her. She will never get to know what love is.” I turned my gaze. There wasn’t really anything could do. “We should probably check on the twins.”

They had specifically said no children, and all children had been kept in a room that was turned into a playroom. Alex stretched out his hands and opened his mouth to reply when we suddenly heard a crash. It came from the direction of the room where the twins were Alex and I stared at each other for second before we both broke into a run, heading straight to the room. The moment the door opened, I was met with a scene that shocked me.

There was a little boy unconscious in the middle of the room, and Ivy stood at the center of it, with everyone staring at her like she was a ghost.

I immediately turned to the guards who were staring in shock. “What the hell happened?”

One of them took his eyes off Ivy. “She just… they were fighting over a toy. She told the boy to go away, and she just waved her hand and he across the room.”

Shit.

I rushed to Ivy, who Nate had gone to, pulling on his small body because she was now crying. I knelt and hugged them both, looking straight at Alex. His bewildered expression met my own horrified one both came to the same realization:

was indeed one of them. My daughter a witch.

Ox 色