CHAPTER LXXVIII
A Love Worth Rebellion
Caelum's lashes fluttered as she stirred from sleep, her breath still slow and soft, like the lingering melody of a dream not yet faded. Her eyes, when they opened, shimmered in the gentle light that spilled into the room. But there was something new in them—an intensity, a weight—as if she'd awakened carrying the remnants of a secret whispered only in dreams.
Her gaze lingered on me for a long, breathless moment. It wasn't just curiosity; it was something deeper, something that made my chest tighten with a strange mix of fear and longing. Finally, her lips parted, her voice low and almost trembling.
"Lylah," she whispered, my name slipping from her mouth like a prayer. "Do you know… I had a dream. A dream where you weren't… you."
The words sent a ripple through me, sharp and cold, though I tried not to let it show. My head tilted slightly, feigning calmness, even as my pulse quickened. "Not me?" I asked, my voice soft but steady. "What do you mean by that?"
Her brows knitted faintly, her expression raw and unguarded. "I mean… you're not just who you appear to be. You're not human, Lylah. You're… something more. Something powerful. In my dream, you had wings, dark and beautiful, and you… you were a flying demon."
For a moment, I could only stare at her, her words echoing like a distant memory. Then, a soft laugh escaped me—a mix of amusement and the faintest trace of unease. "A demon?" I teased gently, trying to mask my emotions behind humor. "I thought you'd at least call me a fairy."
A blush bloomed across her cheeks, and she shook her head slightly, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "That's what I meant," she admitted, her voice as delicate as a breeze. "Not a demon… a fairy. You're… breathtaking. And kind. Too kind for words."
Her sincerity was like a spark, lighting something deep within me that I hadn't felt in centuries. My breath caught, warmth flooding my cheeks. "You really think so?" I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking louder might shatter the fragile tenderness between us.
"Yes," she said without hesitation, her voice steady with conviction. "Every word is true."
Her certainty struck me like sunlight piercing through the shadows I'd carried all my life. I felt her words settle in my heart, soft and warm, healing wounds I hadn't realized still bled. In her gaze, I wasn't a cursed soul, or a creature burdened by secrets—I was something more. Something precious.
I smiled shyly, lowering my gaze, feeling a vulnerability I rarely allowed myself. "Thank you," I breathed, my voice trembling with emotion. "That means more to me than you'll ever know."
For a long while, we sat in silence, but it wasn't empty. It was full—full of the unspoken bond between us, of feelings too deep for words. Caelum's hand moved hesitantly toward mine, and I let her fingers intertwine with my own. The warmth of her touch spread through me like magic, grounding me, anchoring me in this moment. She had seen glimpses of my truth, glimpses of what I was, yet she looked at me not with fear… but with love.
And in that love, I felt seen. I felt whole.
In her eyes, I wasn't Lylah, the sorceress in disguise, nor Celeste, cursed and haunted by destiny. I was simply me. And for her, that was enough.
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Caelum's Point of View
The palace was alive with movement today. The corridors echoed with hurried footsteps, laughter, and voices calling out instructions as the household prepared for my parents' arrival. Every surface was polished, every detail meticulously arranged, every servant bustling to ensure perfection. To anyone else, it would have felt like a celebration.
But for me, it felt like a storm cloud looming over my heart.
My family was coming. The thought should have filled me with warmth, but instead, fear coiled in my chest like a tightening vine. Because I knew this wasn't just a visit—it was an evaluation, a judgment. My parents weren't coming just to see me; they were coming with expectations, with plans already laid out for my future.
Plans that didn't include Lylah.
They had chosen someone else for me—another girl they believed would fit neatly into the life they envisioned. I didn't even need to ask who had introduced them; I knew Finnian Sir's influence was behind this. The thought of him orchestrating my future so carefully made my blood run cold.
If I defied them, if I refused their choice, it wouldn't just be a disagreement. It would be rebellion. Betrayal. A fracture in the family I loved so deeply. I could already picture my mother's warm eyes hardening with disappointment, my father's voice rising in frustration, their pride in me replaced by disapproval.
I didn't know if I was strong enough for that.
But then my gaze found her—Lylah.
She was standing near the window, sunlight streaming over her in a way that made her look almost otherworldly. Her hair caught the light like spun silk, her expression soft and thoughtful, unaware of the war raging inside me. And in that moment, everything else—the noise, the fear, the suffocating pressure—simply fell away.
When I looked at her, something ancient stirred within me. A knowing. A connection that felt deeper than this life, as if our souls had been tethered together across centuries, finding each other over and over again despite the odds. She wasn't just a choice. She wasn't just love. She was destiny.
Every instinct screamed that she was worth everything—worth every argument, every tear, every ounce of pain that might come from standing against my family.
For her, I could be brave.
For her, I could fight.
For her… I would choose rebellion.
Her eyes lifted to meet mine, and she smiled—soft and gentle, like sunlight breaking through a storm. That smile gave me courage I didn't know I possessed. Whatever battles lay ahead, whatever consequences would come, I knew I'd face them all if it meant keeping her by my side.
Because Lylah wasn't just a part of my life. She was my life.
To be continue....