CHAPTER 117: FUTURE WEDDING.

*~Hazel’s POV~*

Before I could even process these strange emotions..or decide what I should do next—the sound of wheels crunching on sand pulled me from my thoughts. Cyrius’ carriage was coming down the path toward us.

He hopped down, eyes alight. "I managed to get a priest... but he’s not coming today. Don’t worry...tomorrow, right here, we’ll come back and get married. And then we live..."

He leaned closer, voice dropping into a promise that made my stomach twist. "...we live happily ever after."

My stomach growled, but it wasn’t hunger—it was guilt. The image of Caspian flashed in my mind. I had promised him forever too. The weight of it sat heavy on my chest. I could only nod.

Cyrius didn’t notice—or pretended not to. He sat me down and began feeding me pieces of fruit from the basket he’d packed, one by one, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Hazel, what’s wrong? Did anything happen while I was gone?" His eyes scanned the shoreline sharply, the way they always did when he suspected something. "You seem... off."

"No, nothing. It’s just—I’m a little emotional, that’s all."

He brushed his thumb over my cheek, studying me. "Emotional? Am I making you emotional? Or should I stop being sweet? Don’t tell me you like me aggressive..." His eyes widened in playful mock-shock.

I pushed his face back with my palm, laughing. "No, no. Nothing like that. It’s nothing... We’re getting married tomorrow!"

I forced my voice into excitement, and he laughed, grinning.

"Yes! I can’t wait for you to finally become my wife...wear my ring and become mine."

Something in my stomach flipped at the word mine. His eyes gleamed, and for a moment, he looked like an overjoyed boy, not the man who had dragged me into his this whole new country, And made me experience completely new emotions.

"Want to swim?" he asked suddenly, pointing toward the water.

"No, I can’t."

"Why?"

I hesitated. "I’ve never been taught."

"Bad for you," he smirked, stripping down to his undershorts without another word. "The water’s calling me." And then he dove in, slicing through the waves with graceful ease.

I stood to watch him, my feet sinking into the sand. When he noticed me, he sent a wave of water splashing over me.

"Ow! Cyrus!" I yelped, dripping wet.

"Well, now you’re wet..so you might as well take off those clothes and join me."

"No."

"Yes. I’m demanding it as your husband—oh wait, sorry, future husband." His grin was pure mischief.

I glanced around. No one was watching except my twins, lying on the mat and tugging each other’s ears. Slowly, I pulled my gown over my head, left in my bra and underwear, my heart hammering.

Cyris emerged from the water, droplets racing down over hard, defined muscles. For a man who grinned and acted like a child, his body said otherwise with how toned and masculine it his.. from his Abs to his packs and huge shoulder . Unlike Caspian and Cayden, with little scars, Cyrius’ was smooth, perfect, the sunlight gliding over every curve of muscle.

Flora pounded inside me, a wild urge to leap from my skin and pull him down into me.

He reached me, and before I could react, he scooped me up in his arms..like I weighed nothing..holding me in a proud bridal carry.

And then he ran straight into the water.

"Cyrius!! I can’t feel my legs!" I screamed, clutching onto him as the water tugged at me like it wanted to claim me.

"Then hold on to me," he said, voice deep but steady. His hands slid along my body, adjusting my position from my legs up to my arms, aligning me as if I were a fragile sculpture he refused to let break.

"Now... move gently."

I obeyed. And while it wasn’t really me swimming, with his steady support it felt as though I was gliding.

"That’s nice..." he murmured, pride in his tone.

For the first time, I felt the water against my skin in a way that wasn’t frightening—it was alive, warm where the sun touched it, cool in the shadows. I splashed a handful at him. "That’s for earlier."

His brows shot up. "Oh... so you want to be naughty?" He retaliated, sending a wave right into my face.

I splashed back. He lunged forward. I darted toward the shallows, laughing breathlessly, my feet hitting the sandy bottom as I tried to escape him.

But Cyrius was faster. His arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me back into the water with him. Our laughter tangled in the air before his mouth found my ear, kissing soft, almost reverent.

A shiver rippled through me. His lips moved from my ear, trailing fire down the curve of my neck, the heat of his breath mixing with the cool touch of the waves. Then, in one smooth motion, his fingers unhooked my bra.

"Ever done it in the water before?" he whispered.

"Cyrius...no—what are you—" The words melted into a gasp as his hand cupped my breast, fingers teasing until my knees threatened to give out entirely. His mouth continued its journey along my throat, each kiss drawing me deeper into the pull of him.

My head tipped back, my voice caught between a plea and a warning. "The babies they’re watching.."

"Let them see how naughty their parents are," he murmured, his grin brushing my skin.

"They’re too young—"

"Exactly. They won’t understand. They’ll just think we’re swimming." His tone was teasing, but his hands were anything but playful—one left my breast and trailed lower, pressing between my thighs under the water.

"Aren’t we swimming, Hazel?" His voice dipped lower, darker. "Because we’re definitely wet... especially down there."

I was ready to lose every last defense when the sound of wheels cutting across sand shattered the moment.

We both turned as another carriage rolled into view. A familiar figure stepped down, flanked by several others.

Aaliyah.

I immediately shoved almost all of my body under the water, leaving only my head above the surface, as my bra hung unhooked. Cyrius stood in front of me, shielding me completely.

Then she arrived.

Aaliyah’s lips curled into a fake apologetic smile.

"Oh my God, sorry. I never knew you guys were here. I was just here to have fun with my friends and all. I can leave if you want to."

Cyrius’s voice was calm, almost too calm.

"No, no, no. We’re leaving soon anyway. You can come have fun."

Her gaze lingered on him. "Cyrius, I haven’t been seeing much of you lately—especially yesterday—and you promised we’d hang out more. What’s wrong? And what are you doing with her? Didn’t you say she was just some random lady you met on the road and faked a marriage with?"

"Yes," he said evenly. "I faked marriage with her. And tomorrow... we’ll be getting married. You’re invited. And yes, you can bring your friends."

"Well, excuse us. We’d like to get dressed," I said, cutting in.

She frowned, spun on her heel, and stepped back into her carriage with her little entourage. They drifted away, their laughter fading with the sound of wheels on dirt.

I dipped my face into the water, laughing softly. Cyrius joined in.

"Why are we laughing?" I asked.

"I don’t know," he said with a grin. "It’s just... expression."

I laughed again, and he handed me my bra and gown. I slipped them on, still drenched, shivering. He wrapped his shirt around me.

"What are you going to wear?" I asked. "You can’t go back half-naked."

"I’m not half-naked," he smirked. "I’m a man. We can show our chest."

"Well, I don’t want you showing your chest."

I pulled the shirt off and dressed him back into it, buttoning it up for him. His grin softened when I kissed his cheek, and he turned away, hiding his face.

"Are you blushing, future husband?" I teased, leaning closer.

"No, I’m not... it’s just something happened to my face," he muttered, his cheeks completely red.

Before I could say anything, he kissed my forehead, then my lips, and pulled away before I could kiss him back.

"Don’t get desperate, future wife," he said smugly.

I punched his arm, covering my own face in embarrassment.

We returned to the carriage and rode back to the High House. In my chambers, I fed my babies before Cyrius walked in with two large boxes. He handed me one.

"That’s your wedding dress. I want you to look perfect tomorrow. It’s at the beach, and I believe white fits the colors of the sea."

I opened the box and gasped at the shimmer of the fabric.

"Wow... it’s so beautiful."

It reminded me of the exact dress Caspian had given me on our wedding day. My chest ached.

Cyrius beamed as he showed me the contents of his box like a boy showing off a prize.

A black suit.

"This is mine. Both are among the most expensive in France, but I think we deserve something extraordinary."

"Cyrius... tell me you didn’t compel the shop owners."

"I didn’t. I would never cheat for our wedding. I paid for it with my own money. I’ll never steal for you—ever."

He stepped closer, lips biting, eyes locked on mine. He leaned in to kiss me, but I pushed him away.

"Get out, you pervert."

"Oh, I’m a pervert now?" His smirk widened. "Don’t worry... I’ll make you call yourself a pervert when I’m done with you tonight. But first, let me take care of something. I’ll be back."

He dashed out, leaving my heart pounding.

Caspian made me feel at home. Cayden drove me crazy. But Cyrius... Cyrius stirred something deep, blending softness and sharp edges until I didn’t know whether to melt or fight.

Whether I liked it or not, I had to return to New Orleans. That was my home. That was where my babies’ real father, their uncle, their grandmother—our family—waited.

I spent the night planning.

When Cyrius returned, the moonlight caught in his wet hair. He cracked his fingers, stepping into the room.

"Are you ready, wife? Ready to swallow back your comfort? Don’t worry, I won’t waste you tonight. Tomorrow is our wedding. I’ll just give you a little peek of what’s to come after."

He moved closer, his tongue brushing my neck, lips pressing against the fevered spot he knew so well. My chest ached. I brought my claws exactly how he had taught me.

Without hesitation, I pushed them into his chest..the tip piercing. His breath hitched. His eyes widened, then slowly dulled. As he stared at me with a broken expression.

He crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

I stared at the blood on my hand, my whole body trembling.

"What have I done?"

But it was the right thing. It had to be.

I grabbed my babies and turned to the window. My gaze flicked back to him one last time..lying still, vulnerable.

"I’m so sorry, Cyrius," I whispered, tears blurring my vision. "I’m sorry."