Chapter 45
Celestina stepped out of the car and onto the sandy beach. The sea stretched endlessly before her, its sparkling blue waters glinting under the warm sun.
Kael was waiting for her near the dunes, where he’d set up a small picnic. He stood beside a large woven blanket, his dark slacks rolled up slightly at the ankles, and his sleeves casually pushed back. A wicker basket rested on the blanket, along with a small bouquet of vibrant wildflowers lying carefully to the side.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” Celestina said, approaching him with a raised eyebrow. “A picnic on the beach? Are we in a movie?”
Kael grinned, brushing sand off his hands. “Not just any picnic, my queen. Only the finest for you.”
She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. “Alright, Veridan, let’s see what you’ve got.”
Kael gestured to the blanket as Celestina took a seat, smoothing her sundress as she settled herself. The soft fabric in shades of yellow and white flowed around her, perfect for the relaxed atmosphere.
“I figured you deserved a little escape,” Kael said, sitting down across from her. “No palace walls, no meetings, no guards hovering around.”
“Except for you,” she teased, giving him a pointed look.
“Ah, but I’m not hovering,” he shot back with a smirk. “I’m here strictly as your charming picnic companion.”
She laughed softly. “Well, I won’t argue with that.”
Kael opened the wicker basket, revealing an assortment of neatly packed treats. “I wasn’t sure what you were in the mood for, so I brought a bit of everything. Fresh baguettes, cheese, olives, fruit, and your favorite—those tiny tarts with the lemon filling.”
Celestina’s eyes widened slightly, impressed. “You remembered.”
“Of course I did,” Kael replied, handing her a tart on a delicate ceramic plate. “I pay attention, you know.”
She took the plate, her fingers brushing his briefly. “I’m starting to notice that.”
As they ate, Celestina noticed the small bouquet resting near the edge of the blanket. She reached for it, picking it up and admiring the vibrant mix of daisies, lavender, and tiny yellow blooms she couldn’t name.
“These are beautiful,” she said, inhaling their delicate fragrance. “Did you pick them yourself?”
Kael shrugged, his expression modest. “I might have stopped by a field on the way here. Figured it’d add to the ambiance.”
Celestina smirked, twirling a stem between her fingers. “Ambiance, huh? Are you trying to woo me, Kael?”
“Is it working?” he asked, his tone playful but his gaze steady.
She didn’t answer directly, instead focusing on arranging the flowers in her lap. “We’ll see.”
As the waves lapped gently against the shore, they fell into an easy conversation, something Celestina was still getting used to with Kael.
“Did you come to the beach much as a kid?” he asked, leaning back on his hands as he watched her nibble on a piece of fruit.
She shook her head. “Not really. My father was always busy with politics, and my mother preferred the gardens at home. This feels… different. Free.”
Kael nodded, a hint of understanding in his expression. “I grew up around the coast. My parents used to drag me and my sister to the beach every weekend. I spent more time covered in sand than I care to admit.”
“Hard to imagine you as a scrappy little beach kid,” Celestina said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Believe it or not, I had freckles and a mop of unruly hair,” he confessed. “Looked more like a stray dog than the ‘composed and dignified’ man you see before you.”
Celestina burst out laughing, the sound bright and genuine. “I would pay good money to see a picture of that.”
Kael grinned, leaning in slightly. “I’ll see what I can dig up. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As their laughter faded, Celestina’s gaze drifted out to the horizon. “This is nice,” she said softly. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this… calm.”
Kael watched her, his expression unreadable for a moment. “You deserve calm, Celestina. After everything, you deserve peace.”
She turned to him, her smile tinged with sadness. “It’s not always easy to find.”
“I know,” he said quietly. “But I want to help you find it, even if it’s just for moments like this.”
