The wedding bells of Aetheria did not ring—they sang.
Soft chimes woven with sky-crystal magic floated through the clouds, echoing across the kingdom as Elara Vale was crowned Crown Princess of the realm above the skies. Her gown shimmered like sunlight on snow, woven with threads of gold magic gifted by the High Priestess herself.
Auren stood tall at the altar, wearing ceremonial armor in white and silver, his crown modest but radiant. His eyes—warm, devoted, and impossibly tender—never left her face.
They were married under the sky dome, where the stars flickered even in daylight. The people of Aetheria cheered, petals of light drifting down like snow.
And yet, in the crowd, one pair of storm-gray eyes burned with silence.
Kael.
He didn't smile. Didn't speak. Didn't even blink when Elara and Auren shared their first kiss as husband and wife.
But Elara saw him—across the crowd, watching with that same tight jaw, that familiar, restrained fury hidden under layers of cold.
---
The Reception: A Sky Palace of Stars
The ballroom floated above the capital—an enchanted platform of starlight and crystal, held aloft by spellbound winds. Laughter and music swirled around them, nobles dressed in shimmering gowns and cloaks that flickered like galaxies.
Auren twirled Elara onto the marble floor beneath a canopy of living constellations.
"You're staring at me," Elara teased.
"Can you blame me?" Auren grinned, pulling her closer. "My wife is the most radiant thing in all the realms. The stars are embarrassed to shine next to you."
Elara laughed. "Is this the part where you say something poetic and steal another kiss?"
He smirked. "Darling, I plan to steal far more than that tonight."
He dipped her low, kissing her with deliberate passion as cheers erupted around them. His magic glowed faintly—pure, golden light that danced around her skin like fireflies.
In that moment, Elara felt safe. Chosen. Loved.
---
But not all eyes held joy.
Kael stood at the edge of the dance floor, a glass of dark wine untouched in his gloved hand. His eyes were locked on Elara—not with admiration, but something deeper. Longing. Grief. Envy wrapped in stone.
Auren had everything.
And Kael hated how much he wanted to take it.
---
Later in the evening, Elara slipped away for a breath of air onto the sky balcony. The clouds glowed faintly beneath her, and the wind whispered songs only magic could compose.
She felt him before she saw him.
Kael.
He stood at the edge, back to her, his cloak fluttering like a shadow caught in stormlight.
"You're avoiding me," Elara said quietly.
"No," he replied without turning. "I'm avoiding this."
"This?"
He finally looked at her. "Watching someone live the life I dreamed of. With the girl I saw before I ever knew her name."
Her breath caught.
He stepped closer, his eyes burning—but his voice remained cold. "But you're his now. And I… don't steal what's already broken."
"I'm not broken," she said, voice sharper than she intended.
"Not yet," Kael murmured. "But this place… this war… this fate—it changes everyone. Even you."
She stepped back instinctively.
Kael's jaw tightened.
"I won't hurt you, Elara. I never could. That's the problem."
And just like that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the ballroom—leaving her heart hammering in a way she didn't understand.
---
Inside, Auren saw her return with unease in her eyes. He said nothing, only kissed her hand and pulled her back to the center of the room.
"Whatever it is," he whispered in her ear, "I'll protect you from it."
She rested her head against his chest.
"I know."
But she could still feel the shadow watching from across the stars.