The evening sky was painted in shades of deep blue and purple as Ciara and I stepped out of the castle, the stars just beginning to twinkle.
After a day of recovering from the madness of dress shopping, she'd insisted we end it with dinner somewhere special.
"I know just the place," she'd said, her tone brimming with excitement.
Now, as we strolled through the lively streets of the capital, her arm looped around mine, I found myself smiling at her enthusiasm.
The streets were bustling with people, the faint sounds of musicians and laughter drifting through the air. Lanterns strung along the pathways illuminated our way, casting a soft glow on Ciara's sharp features.
"Are you sure this place is worth all the hype?" I teased, letting her lead the way.
"You'll see," she replied with a wink. "They're known for their seafood. Trust me, it'll blow your mind."
I raised a sceptical brow but didn't argue. Her taste in food had rarely led me astray, though her penchant for over-the-top gestures sometimes made me wary.
The restaurant came into view at the end of the street, its warm golden light spilling out onto the pavement. The sign above the door read The Pearl's Rest, and the scent of butter and garlic wafting through the air already had my stomach rumbling.
Inside, the space was cosy yet elegant, with polished wooden tables and candlelight casting flickering shadows. Ciara spoke briefly with the host, and soon we were seated at a small table near the window.
As we settled in, Ciara glanced around the room with an appraising look. "Perfect spot. Great view of the street, and far enough from the musicians that we won't have to shout."
I chuckled. "Always strategic, aren't you?"
"Always," she said, smirking.
The menu was filled with an array of dishes, each more decadent than the last. I was still deciding between two options when I felt a shift in the atmosphere.
"Excuse me," a smooth, overly confident voice said, interrupting my thoughts.
I glanced up to see a man standing at the edge of our table. He was tall, with slicked-back hair and a tailored suit that screamed wealth and arrogance. His eyes were fixed on me, his smile practised and just a touch too charming.
"I couldn't help but notice you from across the room," he said, ignoring Ciara entirely. "A vision like yours deserves a proper introduction. I'm Alaric."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… hello."
Ciara's expression shifted from amusement to something far darker. Her lips curved into a dangerous smile, and I could feel the tension radiating off her as she leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on Alaric.
"Alaric, is it?" she said, her tone deceptively light. "Interesting. I don't recall inviting you to our table."
He barely spared her a glance, his focus still on me. "I didn't mean to intrude. I just couldn't let the opportunity pass to meet someone as stunning as you."
I felt my cheeks flush, both from the compliment and the sheer audacity of the man. "Thank you, but—"
"Oh, no need to thank me," he interrupted, his grin widening. "It's simply the truth."
Ciara cleared her throat, loudly. "You must be terribly brave," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "approaching someone else's date like this."
Alaric finally looked at her, his smile faltering for a moment. "I didn't mean any disrespect," he said, though his tone suggested otherwise.
"Funny," Ciara said, leaning forward. "It certainly feels disrespectful."
The tension between them was palpable, and I suddenly wished for the ground to swallow me whole. "Ciara, it's fine," I said quickly, placing a hand on her arm.
She glanced at me, her eyes softening slightly, but the fire in them remained. "No, it's not fine," she said, turning back to Alaric. "Let me make this clear: she's with me. So, unless you want to test how fast I can ruin that suit of yours, I suggest you walk away."
Alaric hesitated, his confidence wavering under Ciara's glare. Finally, he raised his hands in mock surrender. "No offence meant. Enjoy your evening."
As he walked away, Ciara let out a huff, her shoulders relaxing. "The nerve of some people."
I couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation finally catching up to me. "You didn't have to scare him off, you know."
"Yes, I did," she said firmly. "Nobody disrespects you—or us—like that."
Her protectiveness was endearing, even if it was a bit over the top. I leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. "Thank you, my fierce defender."
She smirked, her mood lightening. "Anytime."
The rest of the evening passed without incident, the food as delicious as Ciara had promised. We shared bites of each other's dishes, laughed at her dramatic retellings of past adventures, and lingered over dessert until the candles on our table burned low.
As we stepped out into the cool night air, Ciara pulled me close, her arm wrapping securely around my waist. "See? Told you it'd be worth it."
"You were right," I admitted, resting my head on her shoulder.
"Say that again," she teased.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling. "Don't push your luck."
She chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Never."
The city was quieter now, the streets nearly empty as we made our way back to the castle. The chaos of the day had melted away, leaving only the warmth of her presence and the contentment of a perfect evening together.
When we reached the castle gates, Ciara paused, turning to face me. Her eyes were soft, filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache in the best way.
"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Nothing," she said, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Just thinking about how lucky I am."
I smiled, leaning in closer. "We're both lucky."
She didn't reply, instead closing the distance between us with a kiss. It was slow and sweet, a quiet promise of everything we'd built together and everything still to come.
When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against hers, my heart full.
"Let's go inside," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. "I'm not done spoiling you yet."
Laughing, I let her lead the way, ready to follow her anywhere.
The warmth of the evening lingered as we stepped through the castle doors, the flickering light of torches casting soft shadows on the polished stone walls.
Ciara's hand remained firm around mine, her grip both comforting and reassuring. I could feel her happiness radiating, a glow that matched the flicker of the flames lining the hallway.
"Shall we head to the parlour?" she asked, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "Or perhaps we should go straight to the kitchen and sneak some wine?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "You're incorrigible. We just had dinner, Ciara."
"So? Dessert is a separate event," she said with mock seriousness, leaning closer. "And wine doesn't count as dinner."
I nudged her with my shoulder, feigning disapproval, though my heart felt impossibly light. "Fine. But only if you let me pick the bottle this time."
Her grin widened. "Deal."
We made our way through the grand halls, the castle quiet now that most of the staff had retired for the night. The stillness was a stark contrast to the chaos of the restaurant earlier, and I found myself grateful for this quiet moment together.
As we entered the kitchen, the familiar scent of spices and baked goods greeted us. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the hearth's embers.
Ciara released my hand and immediately began rummaging through a cabinet, muttering to herself about finding the perfect glasses.
I watched her with amusement, leaning against the counter. "You're very determined about this, aren't you?"
"Absolutely," she replied, pulling out two crystal goblets with a triumphant flourish. "A perfect evening deserves a perfect ending."
I opened the small wine cellar door and descended the short flight of steps, the air cooler and slightly damp.
Rows of bottles gleamed in the faint light of the enchanted orbs lining the walls. My fingers trailed along the labels until I found one that seemed promising—a rich, fruity red that reminded me of summer evenings in the garden.
When I returned, Ciara was already seated at the kitchen table, her feet propped on another chair and a cheeky grin on her face. "Took you long enough. Thought you might've gotten lost down there."
I rolled my eyes, setting the bottle on the table. "Patience, my love. Good things take time."
She laughed, the sound warm and infectious, and I couldn't help but join in. Together, we opened the bottle and poured the wine, the deep ruby liquid catching the firelight.
"To us," she said, raising her glass.
"To us," I echoed, clinking mine against hers.
The wine was exquisite, and we lingered over our glasses, talking about everything and nothing. Ciara's stories of her adventures always left me in stitches, and tonight was no exception.
"...and then the dragon sneezed!" she exclaimed, nearly spilling her drink as she gestured animatedly.
I doubled over with laughter, my cheeks aching from smiling so much. "You're making that up!"
"Swear on my life," she said, feigning indignation.
The warmth of the moment wrapped around us like a blanket, the cares of the world slipping away. When our glasses were empty, Ciara leaned closer, her eyes soft and full of mischief.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" she said, her voice low and earnest.
My cheeks flushed, and I ducked my head, though her words filled me with a warmth no wine could match. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're avoiding the compliment," she teased, her hand tilting my chin up so our eyes met. "Don't do that."
Her lips found mine, soft and tender, and for a moment, the rest of the world ceased to exist.
When we finally broke apart, she rested her forehead against mine, her voice a whisper. "You make everything worth it."
I smiled, my heart full. "So do you, Ciara. Always."