The Queen's Conquer

Chapter 17 : Celebration

Synodic • [sai-naa-duhk]
Relating to or involving the conjunction of stars, planets, or other celestial objects.

🖤

~+~

I half-expected to be releasing the contents of my stomach long before we arrived. But somehow, I maintain my composure the entire ride—Samuel helps me to maintain my composure the entire ride. Naturally, I find his presence to be nerve-racking. Now though...it's calm and welcoming. He continuously reassures me that everything will be fine. That he'll be with me the entire evening. That we'll be safe. That I won't have to worry about a single thing. It brings me peace to know that I'll be more content than I've ever been for the past two months during tonight.

Meanwhile, I can't seem to stand anything other than his scent—than his touch. And he doesn't mind how I attach myself to him like a leech for a majority of the ride, my thigh always touching his, his thumb running over mine.

Sterling and Liam decided to drive themselves, Liam's own dark vehicle trailing behind us the entire trip. Thankfully, this time Samuel spares me from any embarrassment in front of Xander. But he assures me that it'll be made up for later with the lazy patterns he trails against the exposed leg peeking from the tulle of my dress. Even with his jacket over my shoulders, I never find myself not shivering from his fingers.

When we finally arrive, the black SUV's tires crunch against a gravel drive, rolling up to an enormous manor. There are already dozens of guests, servers, and other attendants, all either aimlessly strolling up the front stone steps or hurriedly walking to wherever they were requested for assistance.

All I'm able to do is gawk at the sight of it—at the glorious decorations and flowers that cover the beautiful venue, not even feeling Samuel squeeze my hand once in an attempt to grab my attention. So his fingers run along my chin before I finally turn my head. Xander's already out of the car and opening my door when I gaze into those icy irises.

"Ready, my Luna?" he murmurs.

I shakily inhale. Then nod.

Samuel places a single, soft, lingering kiss against my cheek and finally allows me to exit the vehicle. Xander helps me out, careful of my gown, and Samuel soon follows before his palm meets the small of my back.

I offer his jacket back, realizing how informal it must look for me to be wearing it now. He takes it and slips it on, saying, "It's a good thing that you won't be needing it where we're going."

I raise a brow as he gently leads us towards the manor, earning a few lingering gazes as guests begin to recognize who we are. "What are you talking about?"

The only answer I receive is his cocky grin as he guides us up those polished stone steps and into the ancient structure. I want to continue to pry whatever secrets he's keeping from me out of him, but that's until my eyes catch the jaw-dropping interior of the building.

Inside, the flowers we selected together—the bouquets of gardenias, roses, hydrangeas, dahlias, and peonies—spread their vibrancy through the entirety of the grand, circular foyer. Vines and ornamental greenery cascade up and down the tall walls, leading my eyes up towards the second-floor balcony of the manor and the glistening chandeliers overhanging the entry hall. The decor gives life to everything around us compared to the frigid conditions outside.

"Samuel." I swallow down the breath that very nearly permanently escapes my throat. His silence allows me to wrap my brain around every detail. He looks down at me, bringing his arm to sneak around my waist while we walk in step with one another. I keep a hand against his arm, feeling somewhat woozy yet so starstruck at the same time. But he knows it's only utter shock and awe running through my mind—how beautiful and perfect and absolutely romantic everything is.