Arastella POV
"I am full," I said, setting my linen napkin down beside my plate.
"Let's move on to our next activity then," Castel responded smoothly, immediately standing up from his chair.
Next activity? I questioned silently, keeping my face a stone wall as he glided around the table. He leaned down, chivalrously pulling out my chair before offering me his hand. I hesitated for a second, then placed my fingers in his, letting him guide me to my feet.
Hand in hand, he led me out of the grand dining hall, our footfalls echoing softly down the marble corridors. Behind us, Astelion and Kiono followed silently, moving like twin shadows in our wake.
We passed through the sunlit archways of the garden and emerged onto a quiet stone pier overlooking an expanse of still, turquoise water. Floating gently against the dock was a massive, lavish vessel—a golden royal pleasure boat decked out with plush crimson carpets, ornate carved pillars, glowing lanterns, and an open-air canopy fitted with velvet dining chairs and low tea tables.
Castel turned to me, the warm breeze ruffling his hair. "Let's have a boat ride until the sunset. What do you think about that?"
I cut my eyes to him, lifting my wrist slightly to flash the heavy, magical restraint band wrapping my skin. "I don't really have a choice here. You kidnapped me and trapped me here."
Castel just smiled—a soft, infuriatingly patient smile that sent a chill down my spine. This man is insane, I thought to myself, staring at his serene expression. This whole place is insane. I would have rather died in the Void.
Kiono stepped forward first, boarding the boat with practiced grace to secure the deck. Castel then turned and carefully helped me step over the gap, his grip on my waist firm and steady until my heels hit the carpeted wooden floor. Behind us, Kiono reached out a hand to assist Astelion on board.
I walked toward the edge of the canopy, leaning against the polished golden railing as the boat pushed off from the pier. The gentle sway of the water rippled beneath us, reflecting the lush green trees and vibrant flowers blooming along the distant banks. It was breathtakingly beautiful. I stared at the wild, untamed forest across the shore, watching the birds soar freely through the open sky.
They are so free, I thought, a bitter ache blooming in my chest. I just want to be free, too.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
Castel's voice sounded dangerously close. Before I could turn around, I felt a warmth press against my forehead. I blinked, coming face-to-face with him—he had leaned down, gently resting his forehead against mine, his gaze searching my face with intense concern.
I hadn't realized just how close he had gotten. My heart instantly began to race, pounding wildly against my ribs as my mind traitorously flashed back to our wedding night—to the warmth of his lips, the scent on his skin, and just how terrifyingly close I had come to crossing the line with him.
Up close, his face was infuriatingly magnificent. The sharp, cut jawline, the striking white hair framing his brow, and those unhinged, mesmerizing eyes—one a piercing, luminous electric-blue, the other a deep, molten gold.
He didn't say a word, but as his eyes lingered on my lips and traced the line of my throat, his expression spoke volumes. He looked at me as if the sky had cleared just for me, as if every star in the heavens had been swept away simply because I was breathing in his space. Without uttering a single phrase, his gaze told me I was the most breathtaking thing he had ever laid eyes on.
A burning blush crept up my neck, hot and betraying. I hastily shoved his chest and pulled my head back. "Stop getting so close," I grumbled, looking away.
He hadn't even spoken, but the silence had felt louder than a confession.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement on the lower deck. Kiono was casually reaching out, trying to slide his hand into Astelion's, but she kept sharply pulling her hand away, staring stubbornly at the water while her cheeks burned red.
I rolled my eyes at the two of them, thoroughly exhausted by their hopeless, dramatic dance.
Turning back toward the endless expanse of the lake, I leaned against the golden rail and took a long, deep breath of the fresh evening air, letting the wind pull at my hair.
"I wish to be free," I murmured into the breeze, the words slipping out as a quiet, desperate prayer.
Castel stepped up beside me, his shoulder brushing mine as he looked out at the horizon, where the sky was beginning to streak with brilliant shades of orange and pink.
"You will be," he said softly.
And for the rest of the evening, we sat together in a heavy, fragile silence, watching the sun dip beneath the water.