With a quiet laugh, I tightened my grip on Ciara's hand as she prepared to teleport us to Leora's castle.
I'd been here many times, of course, since Leora was not only my mentor but also my boss, and we'd shared countless hours discussing everything from magical theory to strategic planning.
Still, this visit was unlike any before. We were here to announce our engagement, a fact that hadn't yet fully sunk in. The thrill of it, the surreal joy of it, was still working its way through my system.
Before I could even brace myself for what might await us, the world spun, and with a soft pop, we materialized in Leora's private study.
Only, it wasn't just Leora we found.
My eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room, taking in the scene before me with a mixture of shock and amusement. There, standing or rather, wrapped around, each other, were Leora and Zephara, locked in an impressively passionate embrace.
Both had clearly been caught off guard; Leora's fiery red hair tumbled out of her usual high ponytail, her deep purple eyes wide with surprise, and Zephara, ever the mischievous demon, didn't even bother to look embarrassed.
Her white hair cascaded around her shoulders, and those trademark horns on her face framed her smirk perfectly.
"Well, well," Zephara drawled, lifting an eyebrow as her gaze fell on Ciara. "If it isn't my little Mini-Me."
Ciara's cheeks flushed redder than I'd ever seen, though she managed to muster a smirk. "Didn't realize we'd be interrupting. My bad."
Leora finally released her grip on Zephara, coughing as she straightened her robes with an air of forced dignity.
"And here I thought you'd have the courtesy to knock before barging in on your old grandmother," she said, casting Ciara a look that was somewhere between reprimand and reluctant amusement.
"Well, you know, thought we'd give you a little excitement in your day," Ciara shot back, her voice edged with a wry grin.
Leora sighed, smoothing her hair back and shaking her head. "You've certainly accomplished that," she replied, her voice laced with humor. "So, what exactly brings you here? Given the sudden arrival, I take it it's important?"
Taking a deep breath, I glanced at Ciara, who gave me a reassuring nod before turning back to Leora. Her confidence gave me the push I needed, and I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the fact that Zephara was still watching us with a knowing gleam in her red eyes.
"Well… we're here because we have something to tell you," I began, feeling the excitement building again in my chest. "Ciara and I… we're getting married."
The room went dead silent, the news hanging in the air for a beat before Leora's expression shifted.
First, there was shock, her brows shooting up as if she'd misheard. Then, as if someone had flipped a switch, her mouth split into a grin wider than I'd ever seen, her eyes gleaming with delight.
"Married?" she echoed, her voice somewhere between disbelief and pure glee. "You—Ciara—are getting married?"
"Yes," Ciara replied, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement. "You don't have to sound so surprised, you know."
Zephara laughed, folding her arms across her chest as she looked Ciara up and down. "I always knew there was something different about you, Mini-Me, but this is next level," she teased, clearly enjoying Ciara's discomfort.
Ciara rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, mock the former heartbreaker. Very original, Zeph."
"Aw, come on, darling," Zephara said with a chuckle, leaning in closer. "You've got to admit, this is the last thing anyone expected from you."
"Oh, give her a break," Leora said, still grinning like a proud grandmother. "I think this is wonderful, truly. Aeliana, you've been a good influence on our Ciara here."
I managed a smile despite my own nerves, feeling my cheeks grow warm under Leora's approving gaze. "She makes me happy, Leora. Really happy."
Leora clasped her hands together, still beaming as if she'd just received the news of the century. "Well, I can see that! And of course, we're all thrilled for you both." She then turned her gaze back to Ciara, her expression softening with a rare tenderness.
"You know, I never thought I'd see the day when my granddaughter would settle down."
Ciara laughed, though the flush in her cheeks betrayed her usual bravado. "Well, neither did I, to be honest. But here we are."
With a mischievous gleam in her eye, Zephara sidled up to Ciara, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "So, tell me, Mini-Me, are you prepared for the life-altering responsibility of marriage? Long-term commitment, breakfast planning, toothpaste-sharing, and all?"
"Oh, knock it off, Zeph," Ciara muttered, rolling her eyes again but not pushing her away. "I think I'm prepared enough, thank you."
Leora chuckled, clearly entertained by the dynamic between the two of them. She looked at me with a conspiratorial smile. "I trust you know what you're getting into, Aeliana? Marrying this one is bound to be an adventure."
I smiled back, glancing at Ciara with more warmth than I could hide. "I think I'm ready for anything, as long as it's with her."
Leora's gaze softened even further, and I could tell she was genuinely touched. But before she could say anything else sentimental, Zephara clapped her hands, breaking the quiet moment.
"Well, then! This calls for a celebration! Or at the very least, a toast of some kind. Leora, don't you have something stashed around here for special occasions?"
Leora nodded, moving toward a small cabinet on the other side of the room. "Of course, I have just the thing. It's not every day that my granddaughter announces her engagement."
As she poured the drinks, Ciara leaned closer to me, whispering, "You're holding up pretty well."
I nudged her gently. "You should be the one I'm worried about. Zephara's going to tease you for the rest of eternity about this."
Ciara groaned, casting a glare in Zephara's direction. "Don't remind me."
Once the drinks were ready, Leora raised her glass, and we all followed suit. "To Ciara and Aeliana," she announced, her voice filled with pride. "May your future be as bright and as wild as you both are."
The clink of glasses filled the air, and we each took a sip, savoring the moment. It was surreal, this strange, wonderful gathering of people I cared about, celebrating our decision to spend our lives together.
As we drank, Leora's gaze settled back on us, a gleam of curiosity in her eyes. "So, have you two thought about where you'll have the wedding?"
Ciara and I exchanged a glance, and I shrugged. "We haven't gotten that far yet," I admitted. "It's all still new."
"Oh, I think you should have it here," Zephara suggested, her tone half-serious, half-teasing. "A grand demon wedding in the castle. Fire, music, a bit of chaos—you know, the works."
Ciara laughed, shaking her head. "You'd just turn it into an excuse for a party, Zeph."
"Maybe," Zephara replied with a smirk. "But you can't say it wouldn't be memorable."
Leora chuckled, clearly entertained by the idea. "Well, wherever you decide, you know we'll all be there, ready to support you."
I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for these people, this unlikely family we had around us. Even with their quirks and relentless teasing, they were all here, ready to help us start our new life together.
"Thank you, all of you," I said, feeling my voice grow soft. "It means so much to have your support."
Ciara squeezed my hand, her expression a mixture of pride and affection. "Yeah, really… thank you."
"Well, enough of this sappiness," Zephara said, waving a dismissive hand, though there was warmth in her gaze.
"I've had my fill for the next century. Now, let's plan something mischievous. You two may be all lovey-dovey now, but just wait—marriage is going to be an adventure all its own."
"Is that supposed to be encouraging?" Ciara asked, her eyebrow raised in amused skepticism.
Zephara shrugged, her grin wicked. "Encouraging? No. Fun? Absolutely."
Leora shook her head, though she was laughing. "Ignore her. You both are going to be just fine. And if you ever need advice—or a safe haven away from Zephara—my door is always open."
We laughed, and as the banter continued, I couldn't shake the feeling of utter happiness that wrapped around me like a warm blanket. We'd come here expecting a little shock and some playful teasing, but the love and support we'd found instead made it all worthwhile.
As the laughter died down, Ciara glanced at me, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Well, we survived telling them. Ready for the next adventure?"
I nodded, squeezing her hand. "With you? Always."
Ciara leaned over, brushing a soft kiss against my cheek, her voice low and filled with warmth. "Then let's take on everything—together."
Leora and Zephara shared a knowing smile, and for a moment, the room was filled with comfortable silence, a rare, quiet peace. This, right here, was the start of something extraordinary, and I couldn't wait to see where this path would lead us next.