The Arcane Rebellion- The Arcane Series #1

Chapter 44

Xavi

Layla walked downstairs in her dress and I immediately noticed something new on it- jeweled chains that hugged her torso and chest, the gems on the chains perfectly fitting with the dress.

I was on the verge of weeping at her beauty. Her hair cascaded down her back and I wasn't used to seeing it down. She, who usually doesn't wear makeup, had it done by Kara which I know must have been torture for her, but she looked amazing regardless.

The dress looked truly perfect on her and I was left speechless. When she noticed I was in the common room, she smiled as she came over to me, looking me up and down then raising her hands and fixing my bow tie before pulling me into a kiss by it. My hands circled around her waist as I pulled her closer to me.

"You look divine, Layla.", and she truly did. She looked as though she was sculpted by the divinities themselves and brought amongst us mere mortals just to bless us, to bless our eyes. A blush took over her face, but she grinned up at me before replying.

"And you look wonderful.", she told me and I smiled.

Uriah and Amir entered the room soon after. They truly clean up nice. "Looking good, gentlemen.", Layla complimented.

"You two should really dress like this more often.", I remarked and they both snickered, looking at each before bursting out laughing. They turned back to Layla and I with smiles on their faces.

"Layla, you look as beautiful as always. Xavi, your bow tie's crocked.", Uriah said, bowing his head down in respect at Layla, then pointing at my neck before chuckling. I turned to Layla who took off the bow tie before tying it again in an attempt to make it less crocked.

"You both look amazing.", Amir said with a soft smile as he went over to the bar and picked himself up a drink. Uriah shooed him away before preparing all of us drinks. He handed each of us our drinks before sitting down on a bar stool. Amir and I sat down on a couch and Layla was left standing.

"Gentlemen, I want to say something.", she said and we all gave her our full attention. She cleared her throat. "These past few months we have been preparing for tonight. We have done everything in our power to right the wrongs of our kingdom, or more specifically, the wrongs of the ruler of our kingdom. And all of that finishes tonight and we can finally be at ease. We can only hope that the Queen will stay true to her word and will rid us of any charges against us, but whatever happens, know that I am so grateful to have the three of you as my companions and my partners in crime, and that I am proud of you, proud of us. The Horsemen won't cease to exist, but things may change after tonight and we have to be prepared for everything and anything. Once again, gentlemen, thank you for everything you went through, not just because of me, but for the Horsemen in general.", she spoke evenly and calmly, but I could still hear the shake in her voice and I immediately noticed when tears started pooling in her eyes.

I looked over at Uriah and Amir and both had tears streaming down their faces. I was on the verge of crying myself. I chuckled at our emotional state. "Layla, this is not the end.", I said and tears started streaming down her face. I handed her the handkerchief from my breast pocket. She wiped her tears, laughing at herself.

"I know it's not, but it feels like it. It feels like the end of an era.", she replied and snorted, trying to stop the tears from coming.

"And that means we're going to be entering a new era, no?", Uriah tried to lighten the mood, wiping away his own tears.

"We're going down in history, aren't we?", Amir questioned and we all looked at each other in wonder before nodding.

"We are.", I said. "We're going down in history."