Chapter 159

His family followed them out shortly afterward, with Octavia approaching alongside Merissa, Lorelei and Eugenia.

Octavia embraced Cassandra first, catching her off guard with the warmth of her affection. For a moment, Cassandra was taken aback, but she soon found herself returning the embrace without hesitation.

“Welcome to the family, my dear,” Octavia said. “I hope you know how pleased we are to have you with us.”

The sincerity of her welcome touched something tender within Cassandra, stirring a warmth she had not expected to feel.

“I do, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Lorelei stepped forward next, throwing her arms around Cassandra.

“I’m delighted to have another sister,” she declared. “I have always wanted an older sister. Genie doesn’t count; she is even more childish than I am. Though I should warn you that this family can be rather difficult to manage at times.”

“Speak for yourself,” Eugenia retorted, though she promptly wrapped her arms around Cassandra as well. “We’re very glad you’re here. You must promise not to let my brother keep you away from us. He can be terribly greedy.”

She directed the last remark at Draven, who stood beside them watching his sisters with the patient resignation of a man accustomed to being outnumbered.

When Octavia opened her arms to him, Draven needed no further invitation. He stepped forward and drew his mother into an embrace.

“You have no idea how happy you have made me. I am so very happy, but most of all, I am proud of you for following your heart and doing what makes you happy,” she said, holding him close.

“Thank you,” he murmured before finally pulling back. “You ought to head home now. We will meet you there.”

“Alright.” Octavia nodded before turning to her daughters. “Come along, girls.”

She beckoned them to follow her towards their carriage, leaving Cassandra and Draven to depart in their own.

Draven offered his hand to help Cassandra into the waiting carriage. She placed her fingers in his, and the familiar warmth of his palm sent a curious sensation through her.

It made no sense. She had held his hand before, walked beside him, danced with him, and spent countless hours in his company. There was nothing new about his touch, nothing that should have made her feel like it was something new, capable of rendering her senseless.

But as he helped her into the carriage, his fingers lingered against hers just long enough to leave her wanting more. It was an absurd desire, one she had no business entertaining, especially when she could not quite explain where it had come from.

She settled onto the upholstered seat and arranged her skirts, suddenly conscious of how little space would separate them. Draven climbed in after her, and the footman shut the door, cutting off the view of the cathedral grounds, the departing guests, and the many curious eyes.

The carriage lurched forward, carrying them away from the churchyard.

Cassandra sat opposite her husband, still adjusting to the thought of him as such.

It would take some getting used to thinking of him as her husband.

She never expected that the first time she ever kissed him would leave her this way, with a nervous fluttering in her belly and fire lit deep within.

“Was the wedding to your liking?” Draven asked.

Cassandra dragged her attention away from his mouth and met his eyes. “Yes. More than I imagined, actually. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

“I’m glad.”

“And you?” she asked, returning the question. “Was it everything you envisioned?”

Draven glanced towards the window, where the streets of Caldor passed in a blur of stone façades and people, before looking back at her. “Yes. Though I suspect the person I married has made it considerably better.”

She was moved by his earnestness.

“I don’t think I could have chosen a better outcome myself. I’m happy I married my friend. Not everyone gets to do that.” She smiled.

Unlike the other odd, conflicting feelings he evoked in her, this one she actually understood and cared to entertain.

“No,” Draven agreed. “Not everyone does.”

The journey to Draven’s residence passed in a comfortable quiet, though Cassandra remained acutely aware of Draven in front of her.

By the time the carriage drew to a halt before the residence, she had resolved to stop examining her tangled web of emotions altogether. There was a wedding breakfast to attend, and an entirely new family to become accustomed to. She would have ample opportunity to resolve this latest conundrum later once she was alone.

Or so she hoped.

—

The Draven’s residence was already prepared for the newlyweds’ arrival. Servants waited near the entrance to welcome them both.

Inside, the dining room was meticulously arranged for the wedding breakfast, fine china was set out on the long dining table, along with polished silver, white flowers, and an abundance of food.

It didn’t take long for their guests to start arriving.

The gathering was smaller than the congregation at St. Augustine’s Cathedral, with approximately forty guests invited to remain for the meal and the ensuing celebration. The absence of the larger crowd made the occasion feel more private.

One by one, the guests approached to offer their congratulations and well wishes, and Draven took it as an opportunity to introduce Cassandra to several of his acquaintances, explaining their connections and offering the occasional detail that would help her remember them in the future.

Many of the women, both young and old, complimented her gown, and before long, Cassandra found herself drawn into conversations with several of them. Draven, however, never strayed far from her side.

When the time came for the meal, the guests took their places at the table while servants brought out more dishes and poured the drinks. As the most honored guest, the Queen was seated at the head of the table, with her husband and son beside her.

Cassandra sat beside Draven, and throughout the meal, their fellow guests were generous with their praise, repeatedly remarking on what a handsome couple they made.

It was as they moved between the dining room and the drawing room after the meal that Draven caught sight of Simon.

His cousin stood among a small group of guests, looking entirely at ease, as though he had every right to be there.

The sight soured Draven’s pleasant mood. He had not expected Simon to attend the wedding at the cathedral, and finding him here afterward was an even greater surprise.

Rather than draw Cassandra into the matter, he turned to her and excused himself.

“Excuse me, there is something I must attend to,” Draven said, noticing that she had remained close to his side.

“Alright.”

“I shan’t be long,” he assured her before making his way toward his mother. He found her surrounded by a handful of older women.

“Mother, may I have a word with you?” he asked, his earlier cheerfulness entirely gone. “In private, please.”