No More Wedding Vows After He Impregnated My Best Friend

"The oath your father swore still binds you," my mother said, her tone as sharp as glass. "They expect the bonding before the next lunar cycle."

Her voice was a faint hum against the pounding music from the stage.

My eyes locked on the scene before me.

Lyandra, barely draped in a gauzy summer shawl, her two-piece swimsuit leaving nothing to the imagination, was dancing far too closely with Kael.

My fiancé. The man I was meant to marry in five days.

His hands roamed dangerously near her hips, his mouth hovering at her neck as if he had forgotten I existed. He whispered something in her ear. She laughed, her fingers lingering on his arm.

I traced the edge of the table with my fingertips.

"Then tell them I'll be there," I told my mother. "Make sure it's formal. I don't want a cheap ceremony."

Her lips twitched, as if hiding a smirk. "Practical. Pity you weren't this clear-headed five years ago."

I ended the call and kept watching until Lyandra finally noticed me. Kael didn't look guilty, he just nudged her away, as if inviting her to deal with me.

"Serena," Lyandra said sweetly, sauntering over with a stolen bottle of vintage wine. "Oh, there you are. I was starting to think you drowned yourself just to avoid the party."

"What do you want?" I asked flatly.

"You didn't join the toast. Thought you might be sulking because Kael's been helping me host." She held out the bottle. "Here. A drink."

"I'm not thirsty."

She tsked, like I was a stubborn child. "You've been so serious lately. Smile more, it's my night. You used to be fun before you turned… bitter."

I faced her fully. "Are you here to brag or waste my time?"

Her eyes went wide with mock innocence. "Oh, so you are jealous. And here I thought you didn't care that Kael's been with me all night."

"I suppose I'll leave, then. No reason to disturb you two."

She shifted into my path. "I'm only trying to include you…"

She stumbled back suddenly, gasping like I'd shoved her. The bottle slipped from her hands and shattered, wine soaking into the floorboards.

Coincidentally, it was perfect timing. Kael and his brother Draven appeared.

"What happened?" Draven asked sharply.

"I just wanted to share something special," Lyandra said breathlessly. "She slapped it away. I think she's upset about Kael spending the evening with me."

My jaw tightened. "You tripped, Lyandra. Stop lying."

She gave Kael a soft, pitying smile. "See? Everything I do, she twists. It's exhausting."

Kael's gaze hardened toward me. "Why make this harder than it has to be, Serena? Can't you just join in the fun?"

"I'm not the one staging accidents," I shot back.

Lyandra laughed lightly. "It's fine, Kael. She's always been territorial. Ever since you two became a couple, she has been like this. I am her best friend, I can handle her moods."

"You don't have to protect her like this," Kael told her gently, then glared at me. "Apologize to Lyandra."

I stared at him. "For what? Not falling for her act?"

"Gods, Serena," Draven snapped, shoving me. "Show some grace. Everyone's celebrating, and you're down here starting trouble."

"I'm avoiding trouble," I muttered.

"Forget it," Lyandra sighed sadly. "I'm used to her temper."

Kael's patience snapped upon seeing Lyandra's almost-crying state. He grabbed my arm, dragging me away.

"You're unbelievable."

"Let go." I felt disgusted by his touch as I struggled, but his grip was tight. "You're hurting me!"

"Stop treating Lyandra like this. Go serve the guests in the main hall. They've been asking to meet you. You'd better behave since they're my elders. Show them how a bride should be."

I scoffed, glancing at Lyandra gliding behind us. "Why not introduce her instead? Isn't she better than me?"

"Shut up. Don't be jealous, or I won't want you anymore."

I smirked at the irony but said nothing. Back in the hall, Kael all but shoved me toward the guests before escorting Lyandra to get food.

Eyes followed me, knowing that even though we were to be married, Kael would always spoil Lyandra. There were pitying gazes too, some amused.

I ignored them, forcing civility.

Then I smelled it.

A sharp, acrid scent cut through the laughter.

My gaze shot to the far corner. One of the oil lamps had fallen, fire crawling up the tablecloth. It quickly spread to the nearby curtain.

"Fire!" I shouted, pushing past startled guests.

Panic erupted. Chairs overturned, bodies surged toward the exits. Kael instinctively turned toward me…

And then Lyandra screamed.

Her shriek was piercing, desperate. She stumbled into another blaze, her shawl igniting instantly. She collapsed, coughing, hands reaching out in helpless appeal.

Kael didn't hesitate. He turned from me and rushed to her. Draven was already there, hauling her up.

"Get her out!" Kael barked.

The crowd shielded her, guiding her toward the exit. I was shoved down, a heel grinding into my leg until something cracked. Pain ripped through me.

My leg was broken.

No one came back for me.

Flames roared, beams groaning overhead. Smoke clawed at my throat. I staggered toward the exit.

And saw them.

Kael's arm locked protectively around Lyandra, Draven forcing the door wider. She clung to him, trembling, then turned her head just enough to meet my gaze.

Her lips curled into the faintest smile.

The door slammed shut.

The beam above me split with a deafening crack, sending sparks raining down. I squeezed my eyes shut, ready to surrender to the fire…

When I heard it. A sigh, close, almost bored.

"Why do you always end up getting bullied?"

A hand reached out, pulling me away, saving me before the fire burned me alive.