Chapter 314

Nina

The living room was alive with conversation and laughter, the walls echoing the joyous celebrations of the semester’s end. My friends, many of whom I had known since freshman year, were scattered around, some lounging on the plush couches, others congregated in animated discussions around the dining table.

“Look at her, the blushing bride!” Jessica’s voice, dripping with playful sarcasm, rose above the hum of conversation as she approached me. Her arm was draped around Lori, who, despite the teasing remark, wore a proud smile.

I laughed, rolling my eyes. Enzo and I had been married for several months now, and my friends rarely let me live down the fact that we had gotten married so young. But that’s just what happens when you find your fated mate.

“Jessica, I swear, one more mention of me being a ‘bride’ and I’ll throw you into the pool,” I said.

“Hey! It’s not every day one of our own decides to tie the knot so young,” she winked, nudging me gently.

Lori sighed, giving Jessica a pointed look. “Jess, lay off it. If Nina and Enzo are happy, that’s all that matters. Besides, they’re adorable together.”

Jessica took a mock offended stance. “Hey, I am happy for them! Super happy. But speaking of proposals...” She turned her teasing eyes to Lori, her grin widening. “When are you going to pop the question?”

Lori’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink. “Why is it my responsibility to propose?”

“Well, out of the two of us, you’re definitely the less ‘girly’ one,” Jessica responded, air-quoting the word ‘girly’. “So, it should happen that way.”

Lori’s expression shifted from embarrassment to mock annoyance. “Just because I prefer jeans over dresses doesn’t mean I should be the one to propose!”

The two of them locked eyes, an air of mock tension between them, before they both broke out into fits of laughter. I chuckled, watching the banter unfold. Their relationship, always filled with playful jests and teasing, was one of the many constants in our group.

Taking advantage of a brief lull in conversation, I decided to circulate the party, greeting old friends and making some new ones. The atmosphere was light, joyous, and full of promise.

As the night progressed, the cool air and the allure of the outdoors beckoned me to the back patio. The twinkling fairy lights we'd strung up added a soft glow to the surroundings. There, I found Matt leaning on the railing, his gaze fixed on the stars above.

“Hey,” I greeted, my voice soft.

He looked over, his eyes lighting up with a smile. “Nina! It’s been a while since we had a one-on-one chat.”

I joined him, leaning against the railing beside him and following his gaze upwards. I had never thought that someone like Matt would wind up being one of my closest friends, but I was happy that it had happened. He had changed so much since everything had happened, but he still had his signature good humor and charm.

“It really has been,” I said. The comfort of our shared history was a salve to the fast pace of the evening.

Matt’s face grew contemplative as he hesitated for a moment. “Nina, do you ever dream about the war with the Crescents?”

I blinked in surprise, taken aback by the abrupt shift in topic. “Where did that come from?”

He shook his head, a shadow passing over his features. “I still dream about the fighting, the bloodshed... Those rogues overrunning our beloved town.”

I felt a pang in my heart. It was a topic that many of us had silently decided not to broach, the trauma still too fresh in our minds.

“Every night,” I admitted in a whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “I see Tiffany a lot.” a lump formed in my throat as I thought back on my beloved mentor, how she had died so suddenly and without mercy. I could still hear the crunch of her neck in my mind. “I dream about her dying at the Crescents’ hands.”

Matt’s hand reached out, gripping the railing tighter. The mere mention of Tiffany’s name elicited a deep sadness, a shared grief in all of us. She had left a hole behind that could never be filled.

I swallowed hard. “Then there’s Selena,” I continued, my long lost twin’s name feeling heavy on my tongue. “In my dreams, I’m in that moment again. When she broke through the Luna’s spell and killed her. We won because of her.”

My vision blurred with unshed tears. “And sometimes, Matt, it’s not even a dream. I could be sitting, reading, or just laughing with friends, and I’m suddenly right back there. Reliving it.”

He chuckled softly, though the sound held no mirth. “I get that too. Though I imagine it’s far worse for you, especially after Edward had you locked up and brainwashed.”

I winced, the memories of confinement and mind manipulation threatening to resurface.

Matt, noticing this, reached out to touch my arm. I instinctively flinched away, but not because of him. Because of the memories. “I’m sorry, Nina,” he murmured. “I didn’t mean to dredge that up.”

I shook my head. “It’s alright.”

Edward, with his sinister intentions, had tried to break me, and for a while, he had succeeded. “I wonder what happened to him after he got away,” I murmured, more to myself than to Matt. “And James, Lisa, and Ronan... But let’s not go down that rabbit hole tonight.”

He nodded, recognizing the dark path that our conversation was heading towards. “I get it. And you’re right. This isn’t the time or the place.”

Wanting to steer the conversation away from painful memories, I punched Matt gently in the arm. “Hey, quit being all sentimental on me. We have a party to enjoy.”

Matt laughed, the sound genuine this time. “Alright, alright! No more war talk, promise.”

…

As the night wore on, I couldn’t help but notice Enzo’s absence. Every time I thought he might be gearing up for the big announcement, he’d divert the conversation or disappear into another room. I knew he was nervous about sharing his news, but the suspense was becoming palpable.

Determined, I followed the sound of clinking glasses to the kitchen, finding Enzo pouring himself another drink.

The weight of his pending announcement was evident in the tense line of his shoulders and the distant look in his eyes.

“Hey,” I began gently, reaching out to touch his arm, “I’ve noticed you’ve been avoiding something.”

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his tousled hair. “I know, I know. I promised. It’s just... I’m worried about how everyone will react.”

I leaned against the counter, looking into his eyes. “If you don’t make your announcement soon, I might just have to do it for you,” I threatened playfully.

That drew a chuckle from him. “You always know how to call my bluff, don’t you?”

I grinned. “Someone has to keep you on your toes.”

Enzo sighed, placing his glass down on the counter. “You’re right. It’s now or never.” He reached for my hand, entwining our fingers.

Hand in hand, we made our way back to the bustling living room. The chatter died down a bit as we moved to the center. Enzo took a deep breath and held up his glass, signaling for everyone’s attention.

“Hey, everyone. First off, thank you all for being here tonight. It means a lot to both of us,” he began, his voice steady. “But there’s something I need to share...”