~Life's not fair when love could start a war~
A timeless tale of forbidden love emerges in the 1650s. And their love not only affects them, but the future of their warring nations. How is there time for love when the fate of a country rests in one's...
Remember what I've told you. The night is always darkest before the dawn. ❤️ 🌚➡️🌞
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Kalysta stayed in her rooms for the next few days when she wasn't being forced to attend things or be around Niall. Twice, he summoned her from her rooms to have her show him around the city or explain Elysian law to him. It was completely unnecessary. They already had the measure of each other so there was no point in keeping company. It was during one of those times that he informed her that he'd moved the date of the hanging.
She tried not to show her relief at the news. Mahir could make it to Velia in time then. Whether or not it would do any good remained to be seen.
She couldn't figure out why Niall had moved the date, not that she would ever complain. Was he having second thoughts about killing his brother? She hoped it wasn't so he could hurt Zayn more. Considering it made her sick with worry. She had no idea what they were doing to him and her imagination wasn't helping.
"Milady, it's time," Delia said the evening before the wedding.
"Time for what?"
Delia removed the cover from a dress that was clearly meant to be Kalysta's for the wedding. It was shiny satin, with small pearls stitched into the neckline, lace on the sleeves and bodice, and a dangerously beautiful accompanying corset. This was what most women dreamed for in a wedding dress.
Kalysta hated it, hated what it represented. "I suppose Niall will have a nice laugh when he sees that it's white."
"No, he won't, because he's still trying to keep everything a secret."
"What needs to be done?" Kalysta sighed.
"I tried to finish work on this away from you, but I need to do the last alterations before tomorrow."
"Must we?"
"Yes. I know this isn't what you want to think about, but it's happening. You need to face it."
"I suppose."
Delia situated her into the dress and cinched the corset in.
"I can hardly breathe," Kalysta gasped.
"You'll only be wearing it for the ceremony. For the celebration afterward you'll put on a new dress, a green one that I've been working on. It's much less severe."
Kalysta looked at her. "Thank you," she sighed. "Thank you for everything. I'd be in a much worse way without your help."
"Oh, Milady, stop," Delia breathed. "You sound... done, like you're giving up. Are you giving up?"
"I'm not giving up. I'm... preparing myself for a real eventuality. I marry Niall tomorrow, the resistance may never organize, let alone be here in time to save Zayn. No, I'll never give up. But I can prepare."
