The Life and Lies of Cassiopeia Rosier- Regulus Black

.blood of my blood.

.one day you will meet someone who will see the universe that was knitted into your bones, and the embers of galaxies glow to life in your eyes. and you will finally know what love is supposed to feel like.

The night air was balmy, and the stars twinkled brightly in the firmament. A light breeze rustled through the trees, making the leaves whisper soft promises into the sky. The sweet scent of summer blossoms drifted on the air, wrapping me in a soft embrace. The moon was bright above, illuminating the lake with a silvery glow that shimmered and twisted in the breeze. A blue moon. Rare, and lucky. Never had a more perfect night existed. Not for an occasion such as tonight.

With every breath I took, my heart thundered in my chest. But not from fear. Not tonight. Tonight it was from anticipation and excitement and an aching desire to have him.

My breaths were shallow as I hurried along an overgrown path through the woods. A path that had likely remained untouched since my childhood. I could still picture it though. That grove in the middle of the old forest. A grove of emerald green shadowed by ancient towering trees. A grove where during the last hours of daylight in the summer, the sunlight filtered in so perfectly that the wildflowers blanketing the forest floor appeared to be blossoms of fire.

Part of me could still hardly believe we were going through with this. That we dared be so bold and so defiant. But every part of me knew this was how I wanted it to be.

The warm breeze whispered through my hair, carrying with it a sense of freedom and rebellion as I snuck through the night, anxious to reach him. To see him. To hold him in my arms. The anticipation built with each step, and though there was so much turmoil in my heart, I could hardly contain the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips.

The path was rugged, and I had to hold my dress to prevent it from snagging on the twigs, rocks and moss of the forest floor. But it was all worth it as I caught a glimpse of him waiting for me, his smile sparkling in the starlight. He was the picture of dark grace. The moonlight lit his face, bathing him in an ethereal glow. His hair blended in with the inky abyss of the night sky. But his eyes. His eyes were gleaming silver stars. The eyes of a god. Of someone who didn't quite belong in this world.

And then his gaze met mine and all time, all existence seemed to halt for a small moment. My breath caught in my chest as I took in the sight of him. The dark beauty and power that emanated from him. But his face softened immediately as he looked me up and down, a small smile turned up the corners of his mouth. He extended his hand, and as I placed mine in his, it felt like the world was complete. Like no fear or sorrow could ever grasp me when I was with him. When he touched me I knew I was safe. Knew that I was home.

He pulled me gently against him, our bodies colliding, sending waves of heat through me. It was then that I could see the tears that had welled up in his eyes. Tear drops that looked like pure moonlight as they streaked down his cheeks. I reached up, my fingers tenderly brushing his skin.

"I wasn't aware that marrying me would be bad enough to make you cry." I crooned, gazing up into his eyes. Eyes that were made only brighter by the light reflecting off the water that rimmed them.

He gripped my hand, moving it to his lips where he pressed gentle kisses to my palm.

"These, my darling," He whispered, his voice thick with emotion, "These are tears of pure undiluted joy." Then he took a step back, looking me up and down, a deep emotion that I couldn't quite place settled over his features. "You look so otherworldly beautiful, Cassiopeia." His fingers traveled from my cheek to the pink and white blossoms on my head, delicately intertwined to form a crown of flowers.