The Morning After The Rebirth

Veyra's POV

It feels exactly like the last graduation ceremony I was at – rows upon rows of golden chairs, banners with the university's emblem, even the same dean pronouncing the same names with the same intonation.

"Veyra Solenne, Master of Business Administration."

I step on the podium, receive my degree, shake the same hands – everything is exactly the same, including the claps I remember hearing during what was only going to happen a long time ago. Funny how I'm capable of remembering two versions of one day at once.

When I arrive at the company for the handover ceremony, my shaking hands stop trembling but there's something much colder now sitting there.

There's Cassian standing exactly as he was before, his silver-black hair neat, his suit spotless. He addresses the board with the same warm smile I once thought was genuine.

"For six years, I have been privileged enough to guard what my brother had built. Today, I'll be returning it into the right hands."

"He looks at me. 'Veyra, your parents would be proud of the woman that you have turned out to be.'"

"Thank you, Uncle Cassian," I say, holding my breath. "For everything."

The ceremonial pen is pressed into my hands, and I sign without delay. There is applause from the board. Champagne is poured. I smile in all the right places, because I have to convince him that absolutely nothing has happened.

Absolutely everything has happened.

Then, as we head for our cars, Cassian looks at me. "Why don't I take you to the marriage court? We can talk on the way."

"In fact," I say, "I'd prefer to go alone. I need some time before everything starts."

Cassian looks at me in silence for just an instant, and I feel my heart racing, fearing that he might somehow be able to read me already.

"Of course," he says. "Enjoy yourself. I'll meet you there."

"Thanks." I climb into my car and shut the door before he has time to change his mind.

As soon as the door is closed behind me, I take out my phone and dial a number I haven't dialed since I was sixteen in either of my lives.

It rings twice before a short, terse voice answers. "Rhydian Vael."

"Yes, Mr. Vael," I say. "Veyra Solenne here."

A pause. "Solenne? The niece of Cassian Veyrek?"

"That's right."

"I was unaware that we had any matters to discuss."

"We don't," I say. "Not yet. But I have a business proposal for you that you need to hear before saying no."

"Well, then?"

"Not on the phone. I need you to come to the marriage court in the next hour."

There is a long pause, so long I think he may have hung up. "Marriage court," he says. "That's where you're going to get married, isn't it? I saw it in the business news."

"Yes."

"But then I really don't see the point in our being here."

I inhale sharply. "I would ask you to marry me, rather."

The silence that follows is much more intense. "Miss Solenne, I don't know whether this is some sort of sick joke or not, but I have a business to look after and I don't have time for-"

"It's not a joke," I hasten to say. "I know that this must sound like crazy talk. I know that we have never exchanged any words until now. But I need you to trust me, and I will explain all in due time."

"Trust you," he repeats coldly. "And just like that, I'm supposed to give up my entire afternoon, go to your wedding ceremony, and marry you in place of the groom who was going to marry you, based solely on your word."

"Yes."

"No," he replies. "Certainly not. Whatever game you're trying to play, find another fool to do it with you."

"Not so fast," I interrupt before he can hang up. "Just listen. Rhydian... can I call you Rhydian?"

"You can  not."

"Rhydian," I continue nonetheless, "I know that you've been trying to get Alden Cross on board as an investor for well over a year. I know that you've been rejected by him twice."

The silence becomes different. It no longer carries the tone of dismissal.

"How do you know all that," he asks slowly, "since it's not a public knowledge?"

"That is not relevant at this point in time," I reply. "All that is relevant now is that I am offering you a meeting with him. A real one. He owes my family a favor that he cannot return and I can collect it from him for you, in exchange for your helping me."

"You think that I will take you at your word about getting me a meeting with Alden Cross."

"I think that you will put me to the test," I answer. "Marry me, and you will meet Alden Cross within the week. Should I be lying, then you have nothing to lose since you would be able to dissolve the marriage and embarrass me for having wasted your time."

"You realize how this looks," he says. "Cassian Veyrek's niece marrying his biggest rival, out of nowhere, on her wedding day."

"I know," I tell him. "Which is exactly why it has to be you."

I listen to him breathe. It's an exhale that sounds somewhere between anger and intrigue. "This either is the most insane thing I've ever heard, or the most fascinating." He said at last. 

"Does that mean you'll be there?"

"I'll be there," he tells me. "If this ends up being nothing more than a colossal waste of my time, Miss Solenne, you will live to regret it."

"Understood," I reply. "Thank you."

He hangs up.

By the time my vehicle reaches the marriage court, my heart is thudding so loud, I can feel it in my throat. Cassian is waiting there by Evren, both of them immaculately dressed and entirely oblivious to the fact that I have just set out to wreck their plans.

And then Rhydian's vehicle arrives behind mine.

I see Cassian's face change when Rhydian exits his vehicle. The confusion, the alertness that follows.

"Veyra." Cassian makes his way over to me immediately. "Why does Rhydian Vael appear to be here?"

"I asked him to come," I tell him.

"Why would you bring him to your wedding?" Cassian's eyes dart to Rhydian, standing several meters away and looking our way with an unfathomable expression on his face. "That man tried to sabotage this company for years now. This day of all days-"

"Uncle," I say lightly, "do not make a scene. We have company."

Cassian looks around at the small group of people gathered here-our staff and family members-and I know that he's suppressing his rage. "We'll talk about this later," he mutters.

"Of course," I say.

Evren approaches, looking worried. "Veyra? What's wrong? Why is he here?"

"There's nothing to be concerned about," I say, knowing that Rhydian's eyes are on me from across the yard, sharp and judging.

We're shown inside, and the registrar starts the same procedure I've been through many times before, when my life and death were tied to the table, papers, and pen in front of me.

Evren steps up, as if expecting me to join him there.

But I don't budge.

"Veyra?" he asks, puzzled.

I bypass him altogether and head towards Rhydian, whose narrowed eyes follow my approach.

"What the hell are you up to?" he whispers.

"Trust me," I whisper back. "Just for now."

The registrar clears his throat. "Miss Solenne, have things changed from our previous agreement?"

"There have been changes," I reply, even as everything around me seems to be spiraling out of control-Evren's stunned silence, Cassian's angry gaze, the hushed whispers of the small group of witnesses.

The registrar pauses for only a second before sliding the papers toward us.

I take the pen into my hand.

I sign my name.

Rhydian looks at me, and then, without another word, takes the pen out of my hand and signs his own name below mine.

"I hereby pronounce you man and wife."