Kaile's point of view As we entered the venue, I couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy. The dim lighting and soft music only seemed to amplify my anxiety. I glanced over at Eve, who looked stunning in her red dress, her hair styled perfectly. She was beaming with confidence, and I could sense the eyes of other men on her.I gripped her hand tighter, trying to reassure myself that she was with me. But as we made our way through the crowd, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was losing her. Every smile she exchanged with someone else, every laugh, every conversation, made me feel like I was slowly being replaced.We reached the bar, and Eve ordered a drink. As we waited, I scanned the room, my eyes narrowing at the sight of a group of men eyeing Eve. I felt a growl rising in my throat, but I forced myself to calm down."Eve, let's get out of here," I said, trying to sound casual. "This isn't really my scene."Eve raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong, Kail? You're not having fun?"
Eve's point of view I walked into my room, dropping my purse onto the bed. I was exhausted from the conference, but my mind was still racing with thoughts of Ezra and our conversation earlier.Just as I was about to change out of my dress, I heard a knock at the door. I opened it to find Kaile standing in the hallway, his eyes intense."Hey," he said, his voice low. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"I nodded, stepping aside to let him in. He walked into my room, his eyes scanning the space before landing on me."What's up?" I asked, feeling a sense of trepidation.Kaile took a deep breath before speaking. "I want to know if you have feelings for Ezra."I felt a surge of surprise, my heart racing. "What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to play it cool.Kaile's eyes narrowed. "Don't play dumb, Eve. I saw the way you were looking at him today. I saw the way he was looking at you."I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but I refused to back down. "I don't know what you're talking abou
Ezra's point of view I walked into my room, ignoring Lydia's attempts to talk to me. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach since I saw Eve with Kaile earlier.I flopped down onto my bed, my mind racing with thoughts of how to get Eve back. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to try.As I lay there, my thoughts began to wander back to Eve. I remembered the way she smiled at me, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed.Before I knew it, my eyelids began to droop, and I felt myself drifting off to sleep. As I fell deeper into unconsciousness, I became aware of a presence in my dreams.It was Eve. She was standing in front of me, her eyes shining with a soft light. She was smiling at me, and I felt my heart swell with emotion."Eve," I whispered, my voice barely audible.She didn't respond, but instead, she reached out and touched my face. I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body, and I knew that I was dreaming.But even in my d
Lydia's point of view I stormed into my room, slamming the door behind me. I was seething with anger and jealousy, my mind racing with thoughts of Eve and Ezra.Why did he still have to be obsessed with her? I thought, my anger boiling over. Can't he see that I'm the one who's been by his side all these years?I paced back and forth across my room, my heart pounding in my chest. I felt like I was going to explode; my emotions were so raw.I stopped pacing and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were blazing with anger, my face twisted in a scowl. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down, but it was no use.I was possessive of Ezra, and I didn't want to share him with anyone. Especially not Eve, who seemed to have some kind of hold on him.I gritted my teeth, my anger and jealousy simmering just below the surface. I would do whatever it took to keep Ezra away from Eve, to keep him all to myself.And with that thought, I felt a cold, calculating calm wash over me. I would
Kaile's point of view I was walking down the hallway when I heard a faint whimpering sound coming from Eve's room. My heart skipped a beat as I quickened my pace, concern etched on my face.I pushed open the door to Eve's room, and my eyes adjusted to the dim light. Eve was sitting up in bed, her eyes wide with fear. Her face was pale, and her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she breathed."Eve, what's wrong?" I asked softly, rushing to her side. I sat down on the bed beside her, taking her hand in mine.Eve looked up at me, her eyes still wild with fear. "I had a dream," she whispered, her voice trembling.I squeezed her hand gently, trying to comfort her. "What happened in the dream?" I asked softly, my eyes locked on hers.Eve took a deep breath, her eyes dropping to the bed. "I was in the garden with Ezra," she whispered. "We were holding hands. And then... and then someone came and killed me."I felt a chill run down my spine as Eve's words hung in the air. I could see th
Lydia's point of view I couldn't help but feel a pang of pain as I glanced at Ezra across the dinner table. He hadn't even looked at me once, his eyes fixed on his plate as if the food was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen.I tried to brush it off, telling myself that he was just tired or preoccupied. But deep down, I knew that it was more than that. He was pulling away from me, and I didn't know how to stop it.As dinner came to a close, I reached out and touched Ezra's arm, trying to get his attention. "Ezra, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light.But Ezra just snatched his arm away and stood up, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "I'm tired, Lyra," he muttered, before turning and walking away.I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as I watched him go. I tried to hold back the tears, but they pricked at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over.I got up from the table, my heart racing with anxiety. I felt like I was losing Ezra, li
Eve's point of view I walked through the castle, my mind preoccupied with the recurring dreams that had been plaguing me. I was tired of feeling like I was stuck in a never-ending cycle of uncertainty. I needed answers, and I knew that the only way to get them was to go to Ezra's kingdom.I made my way to Kaie's chambers, hoping to catch him alone. I knocked on the door, and when he bid me enter, I took a deep breath and stepped inside."Kaile, I need to talk to you about something," I said, getting straight to the point.Kaile looked up from the papers he was studying, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. "What is it, Eve?" he asked gruffly.I took another deep breath before launching into my request. "I want to go to Ezra's kingdom," I said, my voice firm. "I need to find out what's going on, why I'm having these dreams."Kaile's expression turned from annoyance to outright frustration. "Eve, we've been over this," he said, his voice rising. "It's not safe for you to go to Ezra's kingd
Lydia's point of view As I stood there, seething with anger and hurt, I couldn't help but notice the way Ezra's eyes seemed to bore into mine. It was as if he could see right through me, to the depths of my soul. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and it only added to my anger.Just as I was about to try and push Ezra away again, I heard a faint noise coming from the doorway. I turned to see Eve standing there, a look of surprise on her face.But as our eyes met, I could have sworn I saw a flicker of guilt in her expression. It was as if she knew exactly what was going on and was enjoying every minute of it.My anger boiled over, and I struggled against Ezra's grip. "Let me go," I spat, trying to keep my voice down.But Ezra just held me tighter, his eyes never leaving mine. "Not until you tell me what's going on, Lydia," he growled.I glared at Eve, who was still standing in the doorway, a smug look on her face. "You know exactly what's going on, Ezra," I said, my voice venomous. "You're j
Kaile's point of view As we rode towards Ezra's kingdom, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been growing inside me since Eve told me about her dream. She had been so casual about it, so matter-of-fact, but I could sense the underlying tension in her voice.I glanced over at her, watching as the wind whipped through her hair. She was so beautiful, so strong and determined. But I knew that she was also vulnerable, that the dream had unsettled her in ways that she couldn't even begin to understand.I felt a pang of jealousy, of possessiveness. Who was this Ezra person, and why was he featuring in Eve's dreams? I knew that I had no right to feel this way, that Eve was free to dream about whoever she wanted. But I couldn't help the way I felt.As we rode, I found myself stealing glances at Eve, trying to read her expression. Was she thinking about Ezra? Was she wondering what it would be like to be with him?I felt a surge of frustration, of anger. Why was I letting this
Eve's point of view Kaile's words sent a shiver down my spine. I knew that I had stumbled upon something important, something that could potentially uncover the identity of the killer."What do you know about the black dagger?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Kaile's eyes locked onto mine, his expression intense. "I've heard rumors of a black dagger being used in ancient rituals," he said, his voice low and cautious. "But I never thought it was connected to the killer."I felt a surge of excitement mixed with fear. We were getting close to uncovering the truth, but we were also getting closer to danger."We need to tell Ezra about this," I said, my voice firm.Kaile nodded in agreement. "I'll go get him. But Eve, we need to be careful. If the killer is using a black dagger, we don't know what they're capable of."I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. We were playing with fire, but we had to see this through.As Kaile turned to leave, I called out to him. "Kaile."He tur
stood at the window, staring out into the darkness, my mind racing with thoughts of the dream and the black dagger. I knew I had to tell Ezra about it, but a part of me hesitated. Should I tell Kaile too?I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. It was late, and I was too tired to think clearly. I would decide what to do in the morning.I walked over to the washbasin and splashed some cold water on my face, trying to clear my head. The cool water was refreshing, and I felt a little more alert.I dried my face and walked back to bed, my mind still whirling with thoughts of the dream and the black dagger. I climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin, trying to shut out the thoughts and get some rest.But as I lay there, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. The dream had felt so real, and the image of the black dagger kept flashing in my mind.I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to will myself to sleep. But my mind was still racing, and I knew it was goi
Eve's point of view I was caught off guard by Kaile's sudden kiss. I had been about to apologize, to tell him that I couldn't return his feelings. But then his lips were on mine, and everything else melted away.At first, I was stiff, unsure of how to react. But as Kaile's kiss deepened, I felt myself relaxing, felt myself getting lost in the sensation of his lips on mine.It was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Kaile's kiss was passionate and demanding, but it was also gentle and tender. He kissed me like he meant it, like he was pouring his heart and soul into every moment.I felt myself getting swept up in the kiss, felt myself responding to Kaile's passion. My arms crept up around his neck, pulling him closer as our lips moved together.For a moment, I forgot about everything else. I forgot about Ezra, forgot about the danger that lurked in the shadows. All I could think about was Kaile, and the way he made me feel.But as the kiss deepened, I felt a pang of guilt. I w
Kalie's point of view I sat in my study, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. My mind was a thousand miles away, consumed by thoughts of Eve.I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had been growing inside me since Eve returned from Ezra's kingdom. I had seen the way Ezra looked at her, the way he smiled at her, and it made my blood boil.I didn't want to lose Eve. I didn't want her to be taken away from me by Ezra or anyone else. But I was scared to admit my true feelings to her. What if she didn't feel the same way?I sighed, rubbing my temples. I had to face the truth. I was in love with Eve. I had been for a long time, but I had been too afraid to admit it.The thought sent a shiver down my spine. What would happen if Eve found out? Would she feel the same way, or would she reject me?I looked up, my eyes falling on a small, leather-bound book on my shelf. It was a book of poetry, one that Eve had given me a long time ago. I opened it, flipping through the pages
Eve's point of view I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in my own bed, and Kalie was sitting beside me, his eyes fixed on my face.I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized he had stayed with me all night. "Kalie, why are you still here?" I asked, trying to sound calm despite my embarrassment.Kalie's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "I wanted to make sure you were okay," he said, his voice low and gentle.I sat up, trying to reassure him. "I'm fine, Kalie. Really. You can go now."But Kalie didn't move. He just kept looking at me, his eyes searching mine as if he was trying to see into my soul."Kalie, please," I said, trying to persuade him. "I'm really okay. You can go back to your own hut now."Kalie hesitated, his eyes still fixed on mine. But then he nodded, his face softening into a gentle smile."Okay, Eve," he said, standing up. "But if you need anything, you promise to call for me?"I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through my c
Ezra's point of view I glared at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes blazing with anger. My face was a mess of bruises and cuts, courtesy of Kalie's fierce beating.I clenched my jaw, my hands shaking with rage as I cleaned the wounds. How dare he? I was the future king, and he had the audacity to attack me like that?But what really fueled my anger was the fact that Kalie had ruined my plans. Eve was supposed to be under my control by now, but thanks to Kalie's interference, she was now safely back in her hut.I seethed with frustration, my mind racing with ways to get back at Kalie. He thought he had won, but little did he know, I had only just begun to play.A knock at the door broke my reverie, and I turned to see Lydia standing in the entrance. Her eyes widened as she took in my battered face."My lord," she gasped. "What happened?"I waved my hand dismissively. "It's nothing," I growled. "Just a minor setback."Lydia's eyes sparkled with curiosity, but she knew better than to
Kaile's point of view The healer's face was grim as she examined Eve. She muttered to herself, her hands moving quickly and surely as she worked."What did they give her?" the healer asked, her voice sharp with concern."I don't know," I admitted, feeling a surge of frustration. "I found her like this at Ezra's castle. I think he must have given her something."The healer's eyes narrowed. "I'll need to run some tests," she said. "But I think I can help her."I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. The healer was the best in the kingdom—if anyone could help Eve, it was her.The healer quickly got to work, mixing up a concoction of herbs and potions. She fed it to Eve, who swallowed it down without resistance.As we waited for the medicine to take effect, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What had Ezra been thinking, giving Eve some kind of drug? And what did he plan to do with her?I gritted my teeth, feeling a surge of anger. I was going to find out what Ezra had p
Kalie's point of view I quickly carried Eve out of the castle and to my car, parked nearby. I opened the door and gently placed her in the passenger seat.As I buckled her in, Eve suddenly started to squirm and struggle, her hands grasping at her dress. "I'm so hot," she whispered, her voice husky and desperate. "I need to get out of this."Before I could stop her, Eve started to remove her dress, pulling it down over her shoulders and exposing her bare skin. I felt a surge of desire mixed with concern, and I quickly reached out to cover her."Eve, stop," I said firmly, trying to keep my eyes off her bare skin. "You can't just...we need to get you home."But Eve just kept repeating, "I'm so hot," over and over, her eyes glassy and unfocused. I knew I had to get her out of there, and fast, before things got any worse. I quickly got into the driver's seat and started the engine, peeling out of the castle grounds as fast as I could.As I drove, Eve continued to squirm and struggle in the