The crowd scattered like leaves in a hurricane. Nobles bolted behind gilded pillars, guildmasters froze in disbelief, and the officiant… well, he looked like he wanted to faint.
I didn't move from where I landed. The storm still crackled across my body, faint violet sparks dancing lazily along my arms, but my eyes were fixed on the family of Helreth standing rigid, faces pale.
"I hope you brought more than ego to this wedding," I said casually, voice cutting across the square like a blade. "Because apparently, someone thought they could make her a prize."
The patriarch stepped forward, lips tight. "You—who are you? How dare you—"
I raised a hand. Sparks flared along my fingertips, wrapping around the stone steps like tiny serpents. "I am the problem here. And trust me, you'll want to keep that in mind."
He faltered. He wasn't used to threats—especially not threats carried by storms that seemed alive.
Lysera pressed herself against me instinctively, her hand gripping mine. "Ashura… don't hurt anyone unnecessarily," she whispered. Her voice was trembling, but her eyes were firm. She trusted me.
I smirked down at her. "Don't worry. I'm always in control. Mostly."
Then I stepped forward. The wind howled as the petals from the wedding floated violently around us. Sparks licked the steps, igniting dust and shivering the marble. "Now. If anyone here wants to continue this charade, step forward. I'll make it… memorable."
The room held a tense silence. No one moved. Not a single guard. Not a single noble dared breathe.
I chuckled. "Good. I like it when people know their place. Step one: Don't touch her. Step two: Don't think you can control her life. Step three: Enjoy your day, because you just avoided a lot of pain."
The patriarch swallowed hard. His arrogance crumbled under the weight of my presence, the storm, and the lethal calm in my smirk.
Lysera exhaled quietly, pressing closer. "I… I can't believe you—"
I cut her off with a grin. "Believe it. Or don't. Doesn't matter. But anyone thinking they run your life? They've got another thing coming."
Her laughter broke through the tension, soft but genuine. "I always knew you'd make an entrance like that."
I tilted my head. "Of course. I always make an entrance." My storm flared faintly, brushing over her as a protective aura. "Now, the question is… are you finally going to let me handle things your way?"
Her eyes sparkled with relief—and something else. Desire, admiration, trust. She nodded, just slightly. "Yes."
I smiled, arrogant and sharp. "Good. Now that that's settled, we can worry about the fun part of the day."
The nobles finally backed away, realizing resistance would be suicidal. And the crowd, once whispering in fear and awe, began to murmur about the storm that just walked into a wedding.
Lysera's hand slipped into mine. "Ashura…"
I smirked down at her, violet lightning tracing faintly along my arms. "Yes? You look like you want to tell me I'm impossible."
"I think… you're exactly what I needed," she said softly.
"Of course I am," I replied, ever arrogant. "I always am."
The petals swirled around us, violet sparks dancing alongside, and for the first time in months, I felt… complete. Not just as a storm walking through the world, but as someone who could protect what mattered.