Chapter 416

“So, I… had one more thing planned,” he finally said, gesturing toward the river winding through the city. “A walk.”

I nodded, smoothing my dress and hoping he couldn’t see the crimson flush on my cheeks beneath the dim streetlights as we started down the sidewalk.

But as we neared the waterfront, something caught my eye—a brightly lit shop filled with people holding paintbrushes and canvases. Laughter and music drifted from the open door, glasses of wine and cider sitting on paint-stained tables.

“Ooh, look! A paint and sip!” I exclaimed, already heading toward the door in my drunken excitement.

“Hannah, wait!” Noah called, half-laughing, but I was already pushing it open.

The artist leading the class looked up as I stumbled inside with Noah close behind, her eyes widening in recognition. “Alpha Hannah? Alpha Noah? What a surprise! Would you like to join us for our paint and sip class?”

“Yes!”

Before Noah could protest, the instructor was beaming and handing us two paint-stained aprons while the rest of the class watched.

Noah’s face was beet red as he whispered, “Hannah, I’ve never painted before… I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

I grinned, wrapping my arms around his waist to fasten his apron. “Better late than never,” I said, my fingers lingering perhaps a moment too long. I could feel the heat radiating from his skin through his jacket, his arms rising slightly in surprise as I tied the ribbons. “Besides, I’ll help you.”

Noah didn’t protest further. I think he may have simply lost his ability to speak as I untangled myself and smoothed the front of his apron.

We took our seats, elbows bumping as we reached for paints and brushes. Noah’s tongue poked out in concentration as he followed the instructor’s directions, both of us growing drunker and more vivacious as the night progressed. I could feel the other attendees’ eyes on us, could hear their murmurs.

“They really are the true star-crossed lovers…” “To think that Zoe actually tried to keep them apart…” “How sweet!”

My face heated. I knew my wedding entrance had made headlines, but I hadn’t dared to look at the news. The true star-crossed lovers… It felt surreal. Unreal.

Suddenly, a thumb gently wiped my cheek. I jerked my head up to find Noah leaning close, a smudge of blue paint on his fingertip.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the room faded away. “Noah—”

“You had a little…”

The spell was instantly broken by the instructor announcing it was time to reveal our masterpieces. We both quickly jerked back, faces matching shades of maroon.

Noah’s painting was… well, certainly colorful, though it bore little resemblance to the landscape we were supposed to be creating. Mine wasn’t much better, and when I revealed it to Noah…

He threw his head back and laughed—wholly, deeply, and loudly enough to silence the entire class. As we left a little while later, our paintings dry and carefully wrapped, Noah handed me his. “For Melody’s nursery.”

My heart swelled. Without thinking, I handed him mine in return. Noah’s face flushed as he took it, studying it intently as if it were priceless. “Maybe… maybe I could hang it in a nursery at my place,” he murmured. “For when you and Melody come back.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. “Noah, I don’t…”

He quickly backpedaled, his free hand rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “It was just a thought. I know it’s too soon. I didn’t mean to presume…”

“It’s okay.” I shook my head, managing a small smile. “How about that walk?”

We made our way to the river, the cool night air sobering us slightly. The water lapped gently at the shore, the moon’s reflection dancing on its surface. We sat on a bench, watching the water in silence.

“I had a nice time tonight,” Noah finally said. “Really, Hannah.”

I looked up at him, my mouth working uselessly for a moment before I managed, “Me too.”

Viona’s words flitted through my mind. “He deserves to know… You deserve to be free of this secret…”

I had to tell him. I couldn’t wait any longer.

“Noah, there’s something I need to tell you,” I blurted out. “It’s about something that happened a year ago. Something big.”

“Is everything alright?”

I closed my eyes, gathering my courage. When I opened them again, I met his gaze directly, willing him to understand, to accept what I was about to say.

“Noah, I… I died and came back to life a year ago.”

Noah’s eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock.

“What?” he breathed.