Chapter 50

Cassandra rose before dawn, her heart fluttering at the thought of what lay ahead. Ever since she had confided in her Gurus—those wise instructors who had taught her so much about life and love—she’d been eager to follow their guidance. When she shyly admitted that tonight would be her first time with her husband, their counsel was gentle but firm: “Let him lead. Allow him to guide each moment. You’ll find peace in his care.” And so Cassandra had set aside any lingering fear. Instead of trembling, she felt a tender excitement bloom in her chest. Intimacy, she knew, was a bridge between two souls, and she yearned to draw nearer to Thomas than ever before.

Thomas, for his part, believed himself ready. He’d spent months watching Cassandra blossom from a new bride into his confidante and best friend. He understood that marriage meant embracing every facet of a person—their light and shadow alike. If she was prepared to open her heart to him wholly, then he would welcome her as she