Chapter 2: Promises in the Night
The hum of the jet filled the silence. Lavender sat pressed against the window, the glass cool against her cheek, her mind replaying that kiss over and over again. Her lips still tingled. She hated that they tingled.
Across from her, Rhydian leaned back in his seat, legs stretched out with that infuriating confidence that made him seem carved out of stone. He was watching her. Of course he was.
"What are you thinking about, Flower?" His voice was smooth, warm, coaxing her out of her own storm.
Lavender's eyes flicked toward him, narrowing. "Don't call me that."
"You didn't seem to mind earlier." His smirk softened, just slightly. "But if it makes you feel better... Lavender."
She rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the way his voice wrapped around her name. "I'm thinking that I don't know what I've gotten myself into."
"That makes two of us," he murmured, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Tell me something. What do you want for your wedding?"
The question knocked her off balance. "What?"
"Your parents, our parents, they'll want the spectacle. The ballroom, the chandeliers, thousands of guests. But what about you?" His gaze pinned her, patient but insistent. "Do you want that? Or do you want something smaller? Outside? Maybe barefoot in a garden?"
Lavender swallowed. Her throat was dry. "I... I haven't thought about it."
"Yes, you have."
Her eyes darted back to the window. "Not really."
"Flower." His voice was low, steady. "I don't want their wedding. I want yours."
Her chest tightened. No one had asked her that before.
He let the silence stretch, then asked another question, softer this time. "Do you want children?"
Lavender turned sharply, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." His lips twitched. "One day, not now. But do you? A house full of little ones? Or none at all?"
She stared at him. The audacity. "That's... personal."
"So answer personally."
Her fingers twisted in her lap. "I don't know," she admitted finally. "I don't even know if I want marriage, let alone kids."
Rhydian leaned back, studying her like she was a puzzle he'd been waiting years to solve. "That's fair. But if you did, I think you'd be an amazing mother."
Lavender's chest tightened again, but she shoved the thought away. "You really think you know me, don't you?"
"I want to," he said simply.
Silence fell again, heavy but charged.
She cleared her throat, redirecting. "What about you? Past relationships?"
His jaw ticked, but he answered. "Two. Neither serious."
"Two?" She raised a brow. "At your age?"
"I was waiting." His eyes held hers, unwavering. "Even when I didn't realize it, I was waiting for you."
Her breath caught, and she snapped her gaze away, focusing on the streaks of stars outside.
Rhydian's mind drifted, unbidden, to another night. Another moment.
He was twelve years old, holding a newborn wrapped in a blanket. Her parents had placed her in his arms, laughing at his wide-eyed wonder. She had been so small, so fragile, and he'd looked down at her with something fierce blooming in his chest.
"Flower," he'd whispered. The nickname had fallen from his lips without thought.
Both families had chuckled, calling it perfect. "He already loves her," his mother had said.
And he had. Even then.
The plane touched down, breaking the memory. Lavender stretched, still quiet, as they descended the stairs. Their families waited, faces glowing with pride. Her mother rushed forward, pulling her into a hug, showering her with congratulations and gifts. Rhydian's father clapped her shoulder, booming about how proud he was.
Lavender tried to smile, but her chest was tight again. This was too much. Too fast.
By the time they pulled into the estate, she was nearly dizzy. The car wound past iron gates, up a tree-lined drive, revealing sprawling grounds lit by lanterns. She counted the houses as they passed, one, two, three, four, five. Memories surfaced: summers spent darting through the gardens, racing through the hallways, a little girl always chasing after a boy who never stayed long enough.
Inside, music and lights burst around her. A surprise party. Mara squealed, running to hug her. "Finally! Took him long enough, huh?"
Lavender blinked, overwhelmed. Then she froze. Rhydian was kneeling. A ring glittered in the light.
Her mouth went dry.
She barely remembered nodding. Applause erupted, champagne popped, and the room spun. Everyone congratulated them. She smiled, laughed, pretended to float. But inside, she was sinking.
Hours later, the noise behind her, Lavender slipped into the kitchen. She needed air. She needed quiet. She rummaged through the fridge, pulling out leftovers, trying to steady her hands as she set up a small plate.
"Couldn't sleep?"
She jumped. Rhydian leaned in the doorway, jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows.
"Neither could you," she muttered.
He walked closer, slow and deliberate. She felt him before she saw him. His arms came down on either side of her, braced against the counter. Not touching her, just caging her in.
"May I?" he asked, voice low, warm against her ear.
Her chest rose sharply. "May you what?"
"May I be closer?"
Her pulse hammered. She gripped the counter, knuckles white. She didn't answer. Couldn't.
Instead, he shifted, changing the subject, but not the closeness. "So tell me, Lavender. Are we going to live together during this engagement? My place? Yours? Or do we buy something new?"
Her eyes flew to his, stunned.
He wasn't asking about a kiss. He was asking about life.
And she had no idea what to say.
End of Chapter 2