Bound by Blood & Parted by Fate

Chapter 23 – The Diner

Chapter 23 – The Diner

One week later, the preparations for the wedding were in full swing. Despite Reza not being particularly invested in the wedding, he knew that as an Unmar follower, it was necessary for him to tie the knot for religious and political purposes.

Fae, on the other hand, was forced to watch the displays of affection between Reza and Leyli, and it annoyed her more than she wanted to admit. She found herself avoiding them and spending more time alone in her own quarters. Leyli, being the kind-hearted person she was, tried to reach out to Fae in various attempts to become friends, but Fae always refused.

Zahira, on the other hand, found pleasure in seeing Fae suffer. It was a satisfaction and a victory for her to see Fae struggle with her emotions and try to suppress her feelings for Reza.

As the sun began to set, preparations for the wedding ceremony began. Reza, clad in a traditional black suit, sat patiently while his groomsmen helped him prepare for the big day. Meanwhile, Leyli, draped in a stunning crimson and gold bridal gown, sat surrounded by her bridesmaids as they applied henna to her hands and feet in cultural patterns.

The wedding ceremony itself was a lavish affair, held in a grand hall with ornate gold and marble decor. Traditional music played as the bride and groom made their way down the aisle, accompanied by their families and close friends. They exchanged vows in a ceremony that included prayers, blessings, and readings from the holy book.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds joined their guests for a sumptuous feast featuring traditional dishes like lamb kebabs, rice, couscous. Outside, the people were also having a celebration of their own.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed dancing and celebration, with the men and women separated into different areas of the hall according to tradition. The bride and groom were showered with gifts and money, as it is customary to give the newlyweds financial support to start their new life together.

As the festivities of the wedding continued late into the night, Reza and Leyli quietly slipped away from the grand hall and made their way to Reza's private chambers. In accordance with tradition, they were accompanied by a group of musicians and dancers who played music and sang songs to celebrate their union.

Once they arrived at Reza's chamber, they were greeted by a group of close family members who had been chosen to perform a series of traditional wedding ceremonies. The first ceremony involved the bride and groom exchanging vows and rings, while the second ceremony involved the bride's family presenting gifts to the groom's family.

After the ceremonies were complete, Reza and Leyli were left alone in the chamber, surrounded by fragrant candles and rose petals scattered across the bed. They spent the rest of the night together, consummating their marriage and beginning their life together as husband and wife.

Fae's emotions were in turmoil. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she watched Reza and Leyli. However, she couldn't tell if these feelings were genuine or just a result of the spell that had been casted on her. Fae tried to brush it off as just her imagination, but the feeling persisted. She couldn't shake off the thought that maybe, just maybe, she had developed feelings for Reza after all these months. It was confusing and frustrating for her to think about it.

She had never been totally immune to Reza's charms. But now, every time she saw him with Leyli, her heart skipped a beat. It was as if the bond had opened her eyes to a whole new side of Reza that she had never seen before. Was she just being silly and if this was all just a part of the enchantment that had been cast on her?

She decided to ignore these feelings and focus on the task at hand. Fae reminded herself that she was only there to serve Reza, and nothing more. She couldn't let her emotions get in the way of her duty.

Fae, feeling overwhelmed by her conflicting emotions, decided to excuse herself from the festivities and retire to her room for the night. Reaching her room, Fae collapsed onto her bed and tried to clear her mind.

She started to doze off when the sound of a knock on her door jolted her awake. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up, pondering who might be knocking so late. Approaching the door, she recognized a familiar voice on the other side—it was Reza.

Fae was startled to see Reza in her room, especially at this hour of the night. She quickly pulled the covers over herself, trying to hide her state of undress.

"What are you doing here, Reza?" Fae asked, her voice shaking slightly.

Reza looked at her, his eyes searching her face. "I had to talk to you," he said. "You were right about Leyli. She did try to kill me."

Fae's heart skipped a beat. "What? When?" she asked, sitting up in bed.

"We had left the festivities to go to my chamber, and as we were being intimate, her night gown turned white and gold into the light of the moon, and she tried to stab me."

Fae gasped in shock. "Oh my God, Reza," she said. "Are you okay?"

Reza nodded. "Yes, I managed to disarm her and kill her," he said. "I asked who sent her, but she refused to tell me. I should have listened to you."

"Why did you come to me now?" Fae asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I needed to tell you the truth," Reza said. "I couldn't keep it from you any longer. And there's something else I need to tell you."

Fae looked at him, her heart racing. "What is it?”

Reza's eyes, filled with a tender longing, met Fae's gaze, locking them in an intimate dance. The air between them crackled with an unspoken promise, and as he whispered, "Let me show you," time seemed to slow.

In that enchanted moment, Reza's lips met Fae's in a delicate dance of passion. It felt like a dream, a surreal blend of sensations. Fae's heart raced, a symphony of emotions swelling within her. The kiss, like a whispered secret shared between souls, carried the weight of unspoken desires and hidden yearnings. Every touch of Reza's lips against hers sent shivers through Fae's being, as if they were suspended in a realm where time held its breath.

The dreamy spell was abruptly broken when Fae heard a knock on her door. It was as if reality barged in, ending the beautiful moment she had just experienced in her dream.

As she sat up in bed, a mix of disappointment and confusion clouded her thoughts. The dream felt so real, so intense, but now it is gone. Fae couldn't shake the feeling that there might be more to it, some deeper meaning hidden in the folds of her subconscious.

With a sigh, she got out of bed and went to answer the door. Opening it, she wondered what the day had in store for her and what secrets might unfold.