CHAPTER 42: 42. MICHAEL FATHER OATH RING

THE NEXT DAY

MICHAEL

I had thought, naively, that surviving yesterday’s whirlwind of measuring tapes, pins, and divine teasing would buy me at least one peaceful morning. I was wrong. The great hall had been transformed overnight into a battlefield of silver tablecloths, mountains of menus, and the sweet, overwhelming scent of pastries and herbs. Every chair was occupied, the Elder at the head, parchment scrolls stacked like fortresses before him; the Moon Goddess gleaming serenely beside him, and across from me, Charlie was twirling a quill like a dagger while three alphas argued over flavors of cake.

Zavier, of course, was seated beside me pristine as ever, dark suit crisp, expression somewhere between mild annoyance and possessive calm. His hand rested casually on my knee under the table, his thumb drawing lazy, grounding circles that made focusing twice as hard.

"-and I still think the cake should have moon petal frosting." Charlie was saying, chin propped on his hand. "It sparkles. Like me."

Terrence groaned.

"It also tastes like perfume."He said.

"He’d like that."Adrian smirked.

"Enough." Selene’s voice floated like velvet, calm but edged with command. "You’re not the ones getting married."

That reminder sent a ripple through the room. I felt everyone’s eyes shift toward me and Zavier, and my stomach immediately clenched. Hard.

"I uh-" I started, fumbling for something to say, but the smell of roasted honeyfruit from the next table hit me like a wall.

The sweetness was sharp, cloying, and suddenly the room tilted. My throat burned. Zavier noticed before anyone else. His hand tightened on my knee.

"Michael." His voice dropped low, a quiet warning only I could hear. "Breathe."

I tried. Gods, I tried. But the air felt too thick, my stomach twisted like a knot being pulled tighter and tighter, then it hit. I shoved the chair back so fast it scraped the marble.

"Scuse me-!" Was all I managed before bolting out of the hall, one hand over my mouth.

Behind me, chaos exploded.

"Michael!" Zavier was already moving. His chair crashed to the floor as he sprinted after me.

"He’ll be fine."Selene said.

I barely made it to the corridor before I doubled over. The nausea rolled up from somewhere deep in my gut, violent and relentless. The world blurred, silver floor, pale walls, my own shaking hands and then strong arms caught me before I hit the ground. Zavier again. Always him. He guided me down gently, one arm around my shoulders, the other keeping my hair out of the way as I retched weakly into the nearest basin. The smell of the hall still clung to me, I wanted to cry.

"Easy, love." He murmured, low and soothing. His voice always carried that strange mix of power and tenderness, enough to make my wolf whine softly inside my head. "You’re okay. Just breathe. Don’t fight it."

I gasped shakily, pressing a trembling hand against my chest.

"I’m, sorry-"I whispered.

Zavier silenced me with a quiet shush, thumb brushing under my chin.

"No apologizing. You push yourself too hard. Again."Zavier said.

"I’m fine." My voice came out as a hoarse whisper, utterly unconvincing.

"You’re pale." He said flatly, frowning. "And shaking. That’s not fine."

Somewhere down the hall, Charlie’s voice called faintly.

"Is he dying or just dramatic again?"Charlie asked.

"CHARLIE." Zavier snapped without even looking back, his tone sharp enough to make the entire castle go still.

The younger one laughed nervously.

"Right! Uh, I am sending healing vibes!"Charlie said quickly, not wanting to angry Zavier further.

Zavier sighed, turning back to me. His touch softened again, brushing damp hair from my forehead.

"You shouldn’t even be out of bed."He said.

"I had to help with the menu..." I murmured, guilt threading my words.

"You’re marrying me, not the kitchen staff." His eyes glinted with quiet amusement and fierce protectiveness. "If you faint at the altar, I’ll just carry you through the ceremony. Problem solved."

Despite the nausea, I snorted weakly.

"You’d like that, wouldn’t you?"I asked.

He smiled, that rare, real smile that always made my heart stutter.

"Absolutely."Zavier smirked.

Selene appeared then, light and calm as moonlight itself. Her gaze swept over me, then lingered on Zavier’s arm around me.

"He’ll recover soon." She said knowingly, resting a gentle hand on my shoulder. "His body’s just adjusting. Too much excitement. Too much pressure."

Zavier scowled slightly.

"He doesn’t need pressure. He needs rest."Zavier said.

Selene’s eyes softened.

"He also needs to know he’s loved."She said.

My breath caught. Zavier didn’t even hesitate, he squeezed my hand.

"Then he already does."Zavier said.

The Goddess smiled faintly, radiant and knowing.

"Good. You’ll need that, both of you. After all..." She paused, her voice gaining that eerie, divine weight again. "This union will mark the rebirth of a house long thought lost. The kingdom will watch every step. But today-" She added, softer now. "-let him just be Michael."

And for once, everyone listened. Zavier helped me stand slowly, steadying me when my knees trembled.

"Back to bed." He said, tone brooking no argument.

"Zavier, I can walk-"I frowned.

"You will walk." He said, already scooping me effortlessly into his arms. "After you’ve slept off whatever that was."

I groaned weakly, head lolling against his shoulder. "You’re ridiculous."I said.

"And you’re mine." He smirked, carrying me toward our chamber like I weighed nothing.

Behind us, Charlie’s distant voice carried down the hall again.

"So! Should we still discuss dessert flavors or what?"Charlie asked.

Selene’s laughter followed.

"Let them rest. You can argue about cake later."She said.

"Next time you feel like collapsing, at least warn me first."Zavier muttered.

"Noted." I muttered, already drifting, the nausea fading into warmth.

And for the first time that morning, I didn’t feel like the lost royal anymore. I just felt... held.

When I finally woke, it felt like the whole world had slowed down. Soft golden light spilled through the gauzy curtains, stretching across the bed in long stripes. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. The air smelled faintly of sandalwood and moon lilies, not my usual scent, but one that had started clinging to everything since I arrived here. Then I felt it, that familiar weight pressed lightly against my side. Zavier. He was sitting beside the bed, still in the same shirt he’d worn that morning, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly mussed. His elbows rested on his knees, eyes half closed, exhaustion softening the sharpness of his usual expression. He looked like someone who’d been standing guard for hours and refused to move. When I shifted slightly, his gaze snapped to me instantly.

"Hey." I murmured, voice rough.

He exhaled, long and quiet, the tension in his shoulders melting.

"You scared the life out of me." He said, low and honest.

"Didn’t mean to." I smiled faintly.

"You always say that."He said. He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face, his thumb lingering at my temple. "How do you feel?"

"Like I got hit by a cart full of lace and divine expectations." I said dryly.

He actually laughed soft, quiet, but real.

"I’ll take that as an improvement."He said.

Before I could reply, a soft hum filled the air, warm, melodic, faintly shimmering. I turned my head toward the source. The Moon Goddess stood near the window, hands weaving delicate strands of silver light that shimmered like threads in the air. Selene was beside her, carefully laying out fabrics and boxes across a low table, rings, pendants, hairpins, and ceremonial jewelry.

"Oh, good. You’re awake." Selene said, smiling. "Perfect timing"

Zavier immediately frowned.

"He just woke up."Zavier sighed.

The Goddess didn’t even glance up from her weaving.

"He can rest and look." Her voice was music and authority in one. "These are not ordinary trinkets, they are symbols. He must choose what feels right to his heart."

My throat tightened as I sat up slowly, the silk sheets whispering against my skin. Laid before me were accessories so breathtaking they didn’t seem real, circlets of moonsteel and sapphire, silver embroidery cuffs threaded with faintly pulsing runes, a chain shaped like a crescent that glowed faintly when my fingers brushed it.

"What... what are these?" I whispered.

"Pieces of your lineage." The Goddess said softly, finally turning toward me. "Your family forged them long before you were born and each one carries part of your house’s blessing. Now they wait for your choice. When you wear them at the wedding, your line will be recognized again."

"So this... this makes it official."I said.

"In more ways than one." Selene added. "These are the marks of the true royal heir not the one lost, but the one who returned."

Zavier looked at me quietly, his thumb tracing idle circles on the back of my hand.

"You don’t have to pick right now." He murmured. "Take your time."

But I was already drawn to one piece, a small, subtle ring of pale metal resting apart from the others. It wasn’t as grand as the circlet or the sapphire chain, but something about it called to me. I picked it up carefully. The moment I touched it, warmth flooded through me, not heat, but recognition. Like my heartbeat had found a missing rhythm. The Goddess smiled faintly.

"Ah. Your father’s bond ring."She said.

Zavier blinked, surprised.

"That’s... his?"Zavier asked.

"Yes." She said softly. "He forged it with his own energy to seal his oath to the Moon. It seems fitting his son will wear it at his wedding."

My vision blurred for a heartbeat. I swallowed hard, trying to smile.

"He’d probably laugh if he saw me now."I muttered.

"He’d be proud." The Goddess corrected gently. "And relieved that his son found a mate who would move the heavens to keep him safe."

Zavier stiffened slightly, ears tinting pink, but didn’t deny it. Selene clapped her hands lightly, breaking the moment before it could get too heavy.

"Now, since we’re already here, we might as well begin checking accessory fits. Don’t worry."

She added with a smirk toward Zavier. "No measuring tapes this time."

Zavier exhaled in visible relief.

"Good."He said.

"Yet." She added.

He groaned. The Goddess giggled quietly, stepping closer to lay a cool, glowing hand over my heart.

"Rest a little longer, my child." She whispered, her voice brushing through my mind like a lullaby. "Your strength will return soon. Tomorrow, the tailors will bring your full wedding attire. Tonight, let your heart adjust to being whole again."

I nodded faintly, the edges of the room blurring again as exhaustion crept back in. As I drifted, I felt Zavier’s hand squeeze mine once more.

"I’ll be here when you wake up." He whispered.

"I know." I murmured back.

The Goddess’s light dimmed softly, her form fading into gentle silver mist, leaving behind only her blessing’s warmth and the quiet promise of something grander coming, a wedding that wasn’t just about vows, but about finally restoring a lost legacy.