The morning of the ceremony dawned bright and clear.
Iva had barely slept, as she ended up speaking with her mother till late about everything: her escape, Nick, the rejection and Caleb.
Her eyes flew open before the first rays of sunlight crept through the curtains, her heart already pounding with a mixture of terror and exhilaration. Beside her, her mother Rana stirred, reaching out to grasp her daughter's hand.
"Today is the day," Rana whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Iva squeezed her mother's hand. "Today is the day."
The next hours passed in a blur.
A team of attendants descended upon her like a swarm of butterflies—gentle, efficient, utterly relentless. They bathed her in water infused with rose petals and moonflower essence. They brushed her hair until it shone like s
