Bleeding Heart (Captured Miracle Book 2)(20)

Was it possible for Calix to be both my destruction and my salvation?

He squeezed me into his side, dropping his head to mouth his words against my hair. “Now, it’s early and we’ve got a big day ahead of us.” He paused, almost as though he were stretching his feelers for my emotions. Was he worried I’d have another mental breakdown? And would I? Calix continued. “What do you say we relax here for an hour or so before the day begins?”

“I,”

“Nova,” Calix shook his head and I tipped my chin back to look up at him in confusion. “Just agree with me, love. We’ll take an hour. We’ll relax. And then you’ll get ready to marry me.”

“When.” I whispered and he tensed.

“Today.”

“But what time?”

Calix was silent and I watched as the realization that although I was the bride, and this was supposed to be my wedding, I didn’t even know the time I was expected to walk down the aisle. I hadn’t chosen or seen my dress. I didn’t even know what the wedding colors were. Calix had done everything - or, I suspected Gabriella had done everything. My part in his day was for little more than show.

Finally, Calix replied. “You’ll be walking down the aisle at one.”

“How late will the wedding go?”

“Probably all night.” Calix answered and I felt my body slump. I didn’t want to party all night with a bunch of people I didn’t know. I didn’t want to force smiles and pleasantries and appearances throughout the entirety of the evening. I just - I already wanted this day to be over.

“Oh.” I said quietly, already feeling exhausted by the thought alone. “I see.”

“The party will continue throughout the night, but we have a flight to catch at 1:00 a.m.”

I gasped, interrupting him. “We have a flight to catch?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “Did you not think I would give you a honeymoon?”

I felt my face heat and I tucked it against his chest to keep the blush from his eyes. “I didn’t think we needed a honeymoon.”

“We definitely need a honeymoon.” Calix scoffed. “If I didn’t take you away for myself, not only would our marriage seem unreal, but I would be a very stupid man.” His voice lowered. “Any man to have a woman as beautiful as you agree to spend her life with him would be living for the honeymoon, love.”

“Calix,” I tensed against him. “I didn’t agree to spend my life with you. I agreed to your demands to save my family.”

“Technicalities, love.” He replied darkly. “Either way, you’ll be spending your life with me and I intend to experience every pleasure life with you has to offer me.”

“But,”

His voice was clinical when he cut me off to inform me of our plans. “We will be leaving the party at 10:00 p.m. You will get yourself ready for the flight and we will leave the house by 11:00 p.m. Your bags were packed yesterday. Everything you’ll need has been supplied for you, therefore you’ll have nothing to worry about this evening apart from getting yourself settled for a comfortable flight.”

Wow, he really had it all figured out. “Where are we going?”

Calix shifted to look down at me, but I didn’t bother to shift to look up at him. “Now, if I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise, would it?”

“I don’t like surprises.” I replied.

He chuckled. “You love surprises, Nova.”

“No, I don’t.” I informed matter of fact.

He argued. “Again, you forget that I spent two years studying you, watching you, learning you, before I took you.” I stiffened and he continued. “I’ve seen the joy you find in getting surprised.”

“By little things!” I scoffed. “Like the coffee being made before I woke up for a change.”

My thoughts moved to memories of my family and I felt my heart clench painfully in my chest. Water pooled in my eyes, and Calix, entirely oblivious, continued.

“Or the way you smiled when you woke to find your mother had placed a bouquet of flowers on your nightstand. Always peonies.” He muttered.

“Peonies are,” my voice cracked and he tightened his arms around me.

When he finished, his voice was deep. “They’re your favorite. I know, love.”

“I miss them, Calix.” I felt my arms moving around his stomach as I spoke the words in such desperate tones.

It was utterly pathetic how I was crying into my captor’s chest, seeking solace from him, when he was the one who’d taken everything away. I should be angry with him. I should want to hurt him. But I don’t. Calix is all that I have to find comfort within, and I’ve always been an entity that required gentle touches, hugs, and comfort. My family had never been one that was absent of touch. My mom never failed to hug me every day, whether I was happy or sad. If I was sad, I simply was given more than one hug and sometimes a kiss on the cheek. The one time my heart was broken, well, not because of the normal high school break up, but still, I had been hurt - my mother had spent the week in my bed with me, holding me as I slept, playing with my hair when I cried, and just talking to me, telling me I had nothing to feel bad about.