The Fallen Princess

Twenty Seven

“You’re late.” Zaria cracked one eye open just as Callen slipped beneath her covers. His warmth enveloped her instantly; solid, familiar, intoxicating. The mattress dipped beneath his weight, and she relaxed on instinct, her body molding into the steady rise and fall of his chest.

“I am,” he admitted without excuse, brushing a slow kiss across her forehead. She hummed softly, curling closer, letting her fingers rest against the warm column of his throat. His heartbeat thudded beneath her hand... fast, uneven. Something was wrong.

“Zaria…” “Hmmm?” she murmured, not fully awake yet, her lashes fluttering heavily. “Marry me.” Her breath caught. Her eyes snapped open. For a long, confused heartbeat, she wondered whether she’d dreamed the words. Then she pushed up on her elbows, staring at him.

“Excuse me?” she whispered. Callen wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her onto his chest, his expression rawer than she’d ever seen it. “Be my wife,” he repeated quietly. “Marry me before that man can lay any claim to you.”

The request shocked her fully awake. Zaria studied him, really studied him. His golden eyes looked strained, rimmed with exhaustion, and something vulnerable buried deep beneath it.

“I’m guessing things didn’t go well, then…” she asked softly. “No…” The word trembled. He buried his face against her chest as though hiding from the world. His arms tightened around her like she was the only thing anchoring him.

Zaria stroked his hair, fingers threading gently through the dark auburn strands. Her heart squeezed painfully. This fear, the fear of losing her, was the one foe he couldn’t fight with swords or fire.

“He won’t break the proposal,” Callen whispered into her skin. “No matter what I said. No matter what I offered.” Tears welled in her eyes, slipping silently down her cheeks. She forced her breath steady so he wouldn’t hear how her heart cracked at his words. She rested her cheek atop his head, holding him tightly.

“It isn’t your fault,” she whispered. The words trembled, but she meant them. Callen lifted his head. His golden eyes glinted with heartbreak when he saw her tears. He kissed them away slowly; each one pressed away with a tenderness that unraveled her from the inside out.

“Zaria…” His voice shook with hope and fear. “Please. Marry me.” She cupped his face gently, brushing her fingers along his cheekbone, down his jaw, into his hair. “I will marry you, Callen.” Her voice trembled with both joy and sorrow. “You will be my husband before anyone else. And my heart will always belong to you.”

His posture shifted instantly, bracing himself above her. His expression, struck with awe and disbelief, made her chest tighten painfully. “And you,” he murmured, lowering his forehead to hers, “will always be my wife. The only wife I acknowledge. The only wife I love.”

The kiss he gave her was slow, achingly slow, like he was memorizing her lips all over again. His hand cupped her jaw, thumb stroking her cheek. Every brush of his mouth was a vow. Then suddenly, without warning, he tore himself away and scrambled to his feet.

“What are you doing?” she asked, laughing breathlessly as he stumbled while trying to shove his leg into a boot. “I’m going to get a priest,” he said with manic determination. “Don’t go anywhere.” “Callen...”

He leaned across the bed, stole another fervent kiss, and disappeared out the door. Zaria pressed both hands to her trembling chest. “Well… I suppose I should get dressed too then,” she whispered to the empty room, smiling helplessly.

She slipped into a soft gown, smoothing the fabric with shaky hands. Her heart wouldn’t stop fluttering; it felt too full for her ribs. She needed Zakai. She needed someone to witness this moment, to anchor her.

She stepped into the corridor and hurried to the annex of guest rooms. “Zakai?” she whispered, knocking softly. A long moment passed before the door cracked open. Her brother’s face peeked through, eyes weary, hair mussed.

“Are you alright?” he murmured, scanning the empty hallway behind her. “Yes,” she whispered, unable to hide her wide smile. “I need you to get dressed.” “It’s nearly midnight,” he deadpanned.

“I know.” He sighed... a long, suffering exhale, but nodded. “I’ll meet you in your room. Don’t stand in the hall. It isn’t safe.” She nodded eagerly and turned-

“Zaria!” Callen rounded the corner far too loudly. She shushed him frantically. “People are sleeping,” she whispered poorly because excitement leaked into every syllable. He pulled her against him without hesitation and kissed her again and again, as though he’d been deprived of her for hours rather than minutes.

“Give me two hours... no, one hour,” he said between kisses. Then he scooped her into his arms and kissed her senseless. “Gods be damned,” Zakai muttered from his doorway, horrified. “This is a public hallway.”

Zaria broke from the kiss with a hot face and an embarrassed squeak, burying herself in Callen’s shoulder. Callen set her down gently and clapped a firm hand on Zakai’s shoulder. “We need to talk.”

Zakai looked thoroughly unimpressed. “Zaria, for the last time, go to your room.” “Yes, Zaria,” Callen echoed with smug emphasis. “Go to our room.” The door closed behind her, leaving her dizzy with happiness.

Zakai entered her room moments later, closing the door with a soft thud. “So…” he said flatly. “You’re getting married.” Zaria nodded, still glowing. “You realize it’s illegal for a woman here to have more than one spouse,” he reminded her. “I know,” she whispered.

He studied her face, saw her certainty, and sighed. A heavy, protective sound. “If this is truly your path,” he said quietly, “what do you need?” Her throat tightened. “Could you brush my hair?”

He blinked… then nodded. They sat before the vanity, and he gently combed through her long white strands. The simple comfort nearly broke her.

“Do you ever think about them?” she asked softly. “Who?” “Mother. Cecil. Aldric.” “Often,” he murmured, eyes softening. “Cecil is alive, I’m certain. But Aldric…” His jaw tightened. “I didn’t see him in those last hours.” She swallowed hard.

“It hasn’t been long, yet it feels like we live an entirely different life.” “That’s because we do,” he said, resting a warm hand on her shoulder. She took a slow breath. “I’ll still have to marry River. Callen couldn’t break the deal.”

“I know.” His voice was gentle, though pain lingered in it. “And I’ll be with you.” She froze. Turned. “You’re coming with me to the Isles?!” He nodded. “Where one goes, the other follows.”

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “It doesn’t hurt that Callen already arranged for it.” Tears burned her eyes. She took his hands and squeezed hard. “Thank you, Zakai. For everything.” He looked away quickly, uncomfortable with emotion, just as a knock sounded. “It’s time,” he said.

They walked arm in arm beneath the moonlit sky, the stones shimmering beneath their feet. A soft violin drifted from the temple ahead. Zakai squeezed her hand. “Are you ready?” “Yes.” “If you’re sure...”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything.” He chuckled softly. “You’d say that a hundred times and still believe it.” “My heart cannot be tamed,” she declared dramatically. “Now that I believe,” he snorted.

Two priests opened the massive doors. Candlelight spilled out in warm rivers across the floor.

And there, standing at the altar in full uniform, bathed in soft gold, was Callen. Her breath left her completely.

He looked carved from light and shadow. Beautiful. Fierce. Entirely hers. Zakai released her arm. “Ready?” She nodded, radiant.

Each step toward the altar felt weightless. Christian stood off to the side, hands clasped behind him, his usual smirk replaced by a quiet, sincere smile. Callen extended his hand the moment she reached him. She placed hers in his without hesitation.

The priest’s words blurred into soft, distant sound. She couldn’t look at anyone but Callen.

“Zaria, do you take this man-” “Yes.” Callen exhaled sharply, emotion breaking across his face.

“And Callen, do you take this woman-” “Yes,” he breathed. “A million times over… yes.” “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Callen didn’t wait for the blessing. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her beneath the vaulted ceiling, under the glow of hundreds of candles, sealing their vows beneath the quiet, watching stars.

In that moment, nothing else in the world existed. Only them. Husband and wife.