CHAPTER 533: REUNION

The death didn’t come, her racing heart didn’t stop. She was in someone’s arms. Abrielle opened her eyes, which slowly went wide.

It wasn’t the eyes she remembered.

The clearest Amethyst orbs. Abrielle had never seen such eyes before. Her heart was still thudding, it felt like a dream. They weren’t on the ground yet.

He slowly descended, as though he could command the wind. They finally got to the ground. The wind dissipated and her racing heart was trying to find its pace.

Yet she could not look away from him. They didn’t look alike, yet he still reminded her of Cedric.

Was it the similar presence or the same hair? Were they related?

That could not be the case, she knew all of Cedric’s siblings.

"You are safe now," he finally spoke, breaking her trance. She could sense his unease under her gaze. "Do I know you?" Abrielle blurted before she realised.

He shook his head, "We have never met before." He answered then slowly placed her on the ground. Her feet sank into the snow

She wondered if he was the one she saw on the roof. A bitter feeling filled her heart at the sight of another disappointment. "Thank you for helping," she muttered, her feet turned in the pile of snow.

Disappointment. Her face was drained of every sign of hope.

That was exactly what she felt. She could hear the distant music of the parade. Her mood was sour, and the remaining colour she saw in this endless snow-covered street turned dulled.

She hesitantly glanced at him, why was he so similar to Cedric? Why did the gaze she felt from the roof seem like Cedric?

"Were you the one I saw on the roof?" She blurted, and he smiled softly; his handsome features were dazzling, contrasting with the snowflakes.

A devilishly pale handsome face, ebony black hair and those eyes. He didn’t answer her question, "You should head back to the parade. They must be worried now."

Abrielle sighed, she didn’t want to worry Aurelius but her mood was completely sour. "I should," she muttered. "I have had enough festivities today."

Her eyes were still lingering on him. She was truly hesitant to leave. Should she ask him if he knew Cedric? That was ridiculous. "Can I have the honour of knowing the name of my Saviour?" She requested after deliberating for a while.

He smiled again, "Sorry, your highness, maybe if we cross paths again." That was enough to let her know he would not tell her any important information.

She gave him a soft smile then turned to leave. Her feet were heavy, and each step sank into the snow.

Abrielle had walked a few steps away from her saviour when she heard his calm voice. "Why did you come to that rooftop?"

Abrielle stopped. She glanced over her shoulder; her eyes were filled with something quiet and heavy. Mirroring her insides.

"I thought I saw my husband." She answered, but her smile fell. "But I was just being hopeful. He is gone for good."

Those words broke her from the inside like she silently accepted. He was truly gone. Thamiel’s lips parted then closed. He swallowed a lump in his throat.

"You must have loved him." He said.

Her hands clutched her dress, trying to cocoon herself. "Does it matter now? He is gone and we didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye." Her voice drew.

"We had a lot of unsaid words which will remain unsaid." She drew in a deep breath. She didn’t know why she was saying this much to a complete stranger.

Her smile grew, her lips tilted upwards. Her smile was almost perfect if not for her eyes. Those eyes could break even the coldest hearts.

"I miss him. Never knew I would say this out loud." She admitted. Thamiel’s eyes flickered.

"You should tell him what you have in mind then." His words were odd. She laughed at him. "I should," Abrielle muttered and then turned around.

Her heart skipped a beat and she stumbled backwards before she froze.. Abrielle didn’t say a thing or even move a muscle. Time seemed to have stopped for her but it was still ticking around her.

She just stood watching in disbelief before finally breaking down completely. Her knees crumpled and her tears banks completely broke

"Cedric," she cried, her hands covering her mouth. He was standing in front of her.

Her husband was before her. Staring, as if he was fighting with himself about what to do next. She should run into his hand and just hold her, but she was too scared to touch him.

Too scared that he might disappear if her fingers touched him.

Cedric’s hands clenched by his side. This was not the plan. He didn’t even know why he appeared before her.

The plan was just to watch from a distance while he could. He had already made his choice.

It was her,

Not love.

At least she should live a happy life with her family

Azrael had mentioned Aurelius’s coronation. It was a casual statement which held more meaning to Cedric. They wanted him to come and he did.

He wanted to have one good look at her before he finally turned to a fleeting memory.

Even when she slipped, he held back and made Thamiel save her.

He had to stay away from her. Every single sign said he should. His love would only cause her pain but then

When she said she missed him. It wasn’t a ’ I love you,’ but the look in her eyes broke his last restraint, and he teleported behind her.

Silently listened to her voice. He had all the chance to disappear if he wanted to, but his body refused to, despite his mind reminding him to.

Here they were, he stood barely 3 steps away from the one who had been constantly on his mind. The one he trained his best to control the power which flowed through his veins.

The same power that was keeping them away, and yet neither of them could take the first step. A short distance felt like a mile.

A mile walk could be shortened by one step.

Abrielle’s sobs slipped out of her lips. She was desperate to reach out but didn’t. She didn’t blink, she just watched him.

Cedric wasn’t wearing a mask, his hair was packed into a messy bun, and that sandalwood scent mixed with exotic flowers. Soft and masculine. She was more than certain it was her husband.

"Cedric," she called out again, trying to control her tears. Her hands sluggishly wiped her tears.

He finally took the first step; his frost-covered boots moved close. One, two and before she knew it he was directly in front of her.

Cedric dropped to his knees, unable to hold back, and pulled her into his arms.

Thamiel, watching this fuzzy moment, rolled his eyes and disappeared, appearing next to Azrael, who was also watching in the shadows.

"Mother is probably going to kill us for convincing him to come," Azrael said Thamiel sighed. "It was what we expected_" he paused.

"Did we do the right thing?" Thamiel mentioned. Were they right for making this happen, knowing it might go up in flames?

Azrael read through him. "Even if it is meant to go up in flames. If they are meant to be together they will eventually work if not_"

He sighed, this was a gamble. "It’s their story," Azrael said. Maybe there was a slim chance she was truly the one for him. How perfect half

"He was like a lifeless soul," Thamiel muttered remembering how Cedric had been lately. They did their investigation and found out why. The answer wasn’t too surprising

They all knew the divine realm and mortal realm were not meant to interfere with each other. This was a rule set centuries ago after an unfortunate incident that happened before they were even born.

"What if _ just maybe. She is his soul mate." Azrael mentioned. Thamiel smiled.

"Even if their souls aren’t fated for each other they were fated to cross paths_ at least this would be entertaining to watch." Thamiel finally answered.

They gave the couple one last look before they disappeared. Back on the street, Abrielle and Cedric were still kneeling in the snow. In each other’s arms.

She trembled in his arms as she cried uncontrollably clutching his clothes. His warmth was real. It wasn’t an illusion. It was ’ her ’ Cedric.

The door of the nearby tavern burst open and the knight who had been searching for Abrielle ran out to the street.

He immediately stopped in his tracks, completely taken aback by the scene in front of him. He recognised Abrielle but had no idea who the man was. She was crying in his arms..

Yet he could not pull them apart. Even if he didn’t know this was strange.

Only a few people in Heliosa could recognise Cedric.

"Please stop crying, I am sorry." He begged her. Holding on tightly. She shook her head, then bit her lip. Her eyes were still blurry as she broke down in tears.

Abrielle’s face was completely flushed, her jaw clenched then she did the unexpected. Her hand ran across his cheeks

Slap

Cedric was stunned. "Why didn’t you answer me? You really thought of leaving, didn’t you?" She barked at him.

Cedric was stunned at first but the shock slowly turned into another emotion. He smiled at her.