Lianna: Fucking hell. What just happened? The air between us was filled wwith something unspoken as we pulled away from the kiss. I didn’t know what to say or how to breathe properly. My heart raced, and I was certain Edward could hear it pounding in the quiet of the garden. “So,” I started awkwardly, my voice barely above a whisper. “The garden… it’s, um, nice. But it could use some work.” Edward blinked at me, clearly caught off guard. “The garden?” “Yes.” I cleared my throat, desperate to break the tension. “The arrangements are a little chaotic. The roses are too close to the lavender, which completely overpowers their scent. And don’t get me started on the color schemes. Whoever designed this had no sense of harmony.” His lips quirked up in amusement. “No sense of harmony, huh? I didn’t realize you were a garden critic.” I crossed my arms, warming to the topic. “It’s not criticism. It’s an art. You can’t just throw flowers together and hope for the best. Every colo
Freya: The bed felt colder tonight, not because of the chill in the air but because of the emptiness beside me. I pulled the covers tighter around my trembling frame, the echo of Ethan's words stabbing into my chest like shards of glass. "Look at you, Freya. You’re plain. You’ve always been plain." I squeezed my eyes shut, but the tears spilled over anyway, hot and relentless. My nails dug into the soft fabric of the duvet as the memory of our fight replayed itself in my mind, a vicious loop of anger, accusations, and bitter laughter. He never answered me. Not once. Instead, he deflected, twisting everything to make me the villain. Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I wanted you? Yes, I had made mistakes—slept with men I had no business being with—but Ethan? He was no saint. Yet, somehow, I was always the one drowning in guilt, always the one clawing for his affection while he threw daggers at me. A soft creak from the door jolted me, and I wiped at my face hur
Edward: The cold air of the night pricked my skin, its crispness biting at my skin as I strolled through the palace grounds. It was strange that even I could feel cold at all. Sleep had been elusive, a shadow I couldn’t catch, leaving me restless. My mind spun with strategies, contingencies, and the idea of responsibilities that refused to lessen as time passed. The sound of gravel crunching beneath my boots was a steady rhythm, one that couldn’t drown out the chaos in my thoughts. Ethan’s decision to marry Imogen had been a calculated move, but I knew it would ripple outward, driving Freya into a frenzy. She was predictable in her unpredictability, and I had no doubt she would act out. Anticipating this, I had stationed Elias, one of my most trusted guards, to watch her. Elias wasn’t just any guard. He was a shadow in the truest sense, a master of concealment. He could shift his form into darkness itself, rendering him almost invisible. His heartbeat was so faint it was impe
*CHAPTER 62* Lianna: The sharp sound of the door swinging open startled me so much that I instinctively leaned into Edward. His grip on my arm was immediate, firm yet steadying. My heart pounded in my chest as the guard stepped into the room, his face shadowed by urgency. Edward’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “What is it?” he asked, his tone low and commanding. The guard’s breaths came in ragged gulps as if he’d been running for miles. “My lord,” he began, bowing his head slightly, “the woman… she seemed intimate with the man. It wasn’t just a meeting.” My eyebrows shot up, confusion swirling in my mind. Woman? Man? Who were they talking about? My gaze darted to Edward, whose face had darkened, his jaw tight. “Anything else?” Edward asked, his voice calm, though I could sense the storm brewing beneath the surface. The guard shook his head. “No, my lord. That’s all I could gather.” Edward dismissed him with a wave, and the guard slipped ou
Lianna: The morning light crept into my room through the sheer curtains, bathing everything in a soft glow. But instead of feeling the usual pull to start the day, I remained tangled in my sheets, staring at the ceiling. There was a tightness in my chest, as if the events of last night had left a weight there, pressing down into my chest with every breath. I turned onto my side, pulling the blankets closer. Maybe if I stayed here long enough, the day would pass without me having to see Edward. I wasn’t sure I could face him after the awkward exchange in the kitchen. The thought of his probing eyes, his knowing smile, made my stomach twist uncomfortably. With a sigh, I let my eyes close again, convincing myself that another hour—or two—of sleep would do me good When I opened my eyes again, it was to the sound of the door creaking open. I blinked groggily as Ingrid’s familiar figure entered, her sharp eyes narrowing as they landed on me. “You’re still in bed?” she asked,
Freya: I woke up tired. Really tired. My head ached, a dull throb that came from a night of restless plotting and sneaking about. I shifted in bed, the silk of my nightgown cool against my skin. Beside me, Ethan was still asleep, his chest rising and falling in steady rhythms. I smirked faintly, brushing a strand of hair off his forehead. He had no idea what I’d done last night. The ether—an odorless, potent concoction I’d acquired through some very specific means—had kept him in a dreamless slumber. Even now, his face seemed unusually pale, and there was a subtle tick in his jaw. When he finally stirred, his eyes fluttered open, bleary and unfocused. He groaned, bringing a hand to his temple. “What’s wrong?” I asked, feigning concern. He sat up slowly, his movements sluggish. “I feel… strange,” he admitted, his voice rougher than usual. “My head feels heavy, and it’s like I’m moving through water. Even my limbs feel slow.” I leaned in, resting a hand on his arm.
Imogen: It was a sunny morning, definitely not one for our kind. The sun filtered through the delicate lace of the parasol above me, casting intricate patterns on the table in front of me. A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly bloomed roses, mingling with the earthy undertones of the garden soil. The parasol shielded me from the worst of the sun, but the warmth still seeped into my skin, lulling me into a false sense of calm which I knew was going to leave burn marks later. But I loved to see the way the sun slightly burnt intricate patterns from the parasol on my skin. I adjusted the hem of my dress, the silk gliding smoothly between my fingers. It was a soft blue today, simple but elegant, the kind of thing that suited a future queen. My engagement to Ethan had finally been solidified, but my heart was still wary. A man like him—so indecisive —would always have his doubts. And I knew I would forever be walking the line between being his choice and being his burden. I
Lianna: The sound of hooves thudding against the earth was steady, almost hypnotic, as Edward and I rode side by side. The forest around us was alive, a symphony of chirping birds and rustling leaves. The scent of pine mixed with the faint aroma of wildflowers, and the sunlight filtered through the trees in fractured beams that painted the path ahead. Edward glanced at me, his expression unreadable at first, but then his lips curved into a smile that hinted at something unspoken. "What do you say we take a different route?" he asked, his voice casual but laced with intrigue. I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes slightly. "What route?" He gestured to a narrow trail veering off from the main path, half-hidden by overgrown ferns. It looked untouched, almost secret. “It leads to a place I think you’ll enjoy.” The uncertainty in me stirred, but his confidence quelled it almost immediately. Edward was many things—arrogant,
Lianna: Breakfast settled into an almost eerie quiet after Edward put Mariel in her place. A perfect, beautiful silence. I could sense Mariel’s wounded pride and Ethan’s resentment. Across the table, Mariel kept her head down, chewing mechanically and likely plotting new ways to make my life miserable. I didn’t care. She had bigger problems now. Like figuring out how to exist in a world where Edward no longer catered to her whims. I, on the other hand, looked positively radiant, cutting into my fruit with a pleased little smile. I didn’t say it, but I was reveling in the fact that Edward was the one who had humiliated Mariel instead of me. Not because I couldn’t have done it herself, but because Edward’s words had an impact that mine never would. Mariel could handle my hatred, but Edward’s indifference? That was a death sentence. Ethan was the only one not enjoying the moment. He was practically vibrating with anger, stabbing his food like it had personally offended h
Lianna: I had never felt this regal in my entire life. Every step I took down the long, gilded hallway was a declaration of self confidence. The maids paused in their duties, their gazes trailing after me with open admiration. The guards, usually stoic and detached, offered subtle nods of acknowledgment, their respect barely hidden behind their trained expressions. A smirk tugged at my lips. I was reveling in it, and why shouldn’t I? After the hell I had endured, the bruises I had earned, the blood I had shed, this moment, twas mine. Even with the dull ache threading through my joints, the soreness reminded me of my victory. I felt good. No, better than good. I felt untouchable. And if the gods were feeling particularly generous, Mariel would be waiting in the dining hall, seething, and barely keeping her composure as she drowned in the bitter taste of her own defeat. The thought alone nearly made me hum in delight. I pushed the grand doors open and stepped inside,
Lianna: Blood crusted against my skin, dried and flaking, but I walked through the halls like a queen. Warriors, maids, even the high-ranking guards who rarely acknowledged anything outside their turned to watch me pass. Some wore looks of shock, others admiration. A few dared to speak, their voices hushed but awed. "You fought like a beast, Luna." "I didn’t think anyone could beat that woman." "I knew she was strong, but this? This was something else." I smirked, head held high, spine straight despite the ache creeping into my muscles. Even with bruises blooming across my skin and blood drying on my lip, I felt untouchable. Behind me, Ingrid sighed heavily. "You are absolutely impossible, do you know that?" I chuckled, not slowing my pace. "I do, actually." She groaned in exasperation, quickening her steps to match mine. "Why, Lianna? Why did you do that?" I tilted my head, pretending to think about it. "Hmm... the thrill of battle? The sa
Edward: I'd woken to an empty bed. I stretched my arm across the mattress, my fingers meeting nothing but the lingering warmth Lianna had left behind. A slow smile tugged at my lips. She’d been up early. Again. It wasn’t surprising anymore. For weeks, she’d thrown herself into combat training, each session more intense than the last. I’d heard the whispers—about her skill, her sheer strength, how she was no longer just a woman learning to fight but a warrior in her own right. It amused me. It pleased me. She was taking this seriously, proving herself to everyone who thought she couldn’t. I leaned back against the pillows, stretching my arms over my head, allowing the quiet of the room to settle over me. Today was a court meeting day, which meant a long morning of listening to people complain about things I barely cared about. But at least breakfast would be worth it. I’d see her then. Maybe tease her a little. Chuckling to myself, I swung my legs o
Lianna: Pain. Sharp, searing and unrelenting moved through me as Mariel targeted my solar plexus. My body was screaming, every inch bruised. Blood spilled from my nose, staining my lips with its metallic taste. But I didn’t care. I had felt worse. The blows Mariel landed on me were nothing compared to the fire burning in my chest, the sheer fury fueling my every breath. She thought she was winning. She thought she had me down. Fool. I could hear the gasps, the shifting of feet, the numerous worried eyes on me, but they were background noise. Even Ingrid’s worried face barely registered in my mind. Edward stood at the sidelines, arms crossed, his jaw locked so tight I thought his teeth might snap. But he wasn’t stopping this. He couldn’t. Mariel smirked, her lips split at the corner, blood smeared along her cheek. “Look at you,” she sneered, rolling her shoulders, preparing for another round. “Flat on your back. You should be used to that by now.” I tasted i
Lianna: I woke tangled in Edward’s arms, and if it were another day, I would have gone back to sleep and enjoyed the comfort of his arms. But I’d had enough of lying still, enough of waiting for someone else to make the first move. I wasn’t going to be the woman who watched things happen to her anymore. Not today. Careful not to wake him, I eased out of his grasp. His hand slid down my side before falling away completely. I held my breath, pausing to be sure he stayed asleep. For a man who carried entire kingdoms on his shoulders, he looked annoyingly peaceful. I slipped out of bed, feet silent on the cold floor. The chill bit at my skin as I pulled on my training clothes—black leggings, a snug sleeveless top, and bandages wound tight around my wrists and knuckles. My boots were next, worn leather creaking softly as I laced them. I dragged my hair into a braid, tying it off with a sharp tug, and then slid out of the room without a sound. The hallway was empty. Eve
Lianna: I woke up to silence, the kind that draped over everything like a heavy wool blanket. Imogen’s soft snores were gone. She must have retreated to her room a while ago. Good for her. She had the sense to sleep through this misery. I, on the other hand, had the misfortune of being conscious. And thirsty. So damn thirsty. I swiped my palm across my face, grimacing at the stickiness on my skin from dried tears. No glass of water on the nightstand. Of course. No maid hovering about with one either. Why would they? I was supposed to be the Luna. Supposed to be cared for, respected. But it sure as hell didn’t feel like that tonight. With a muttered curse, I swung my legs over the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold marble floor. The chill bit into my skin, but I welcomed it. Pain was better than… this hollow ache inside. Wrapping my arms around myself, I padded toward the door. It creaked slightly as I eased it open and slipped out into the dim corridor. The palace
Edward: The moment Lianna’s breathing evened out, I rose from the edge of the bed and straightened. Her back was to me, her shoulders tight even in sleep, like she was bracing for another blow that wouldn’t come. Carefully, I pulled the covers higher over her bare shoulder. I stood there for a long minute, watching the gentle rise and fall of her back. My jaw clenched tight. None of this should’ve happened. Mariel never should’ve stepped foot in this house. And now, because I hadn’t dealt with her the moment she crossed my gates, Lianna was in this bed trying to convince herself I wasn’t another mistake. That wasn’t going to happen again. I shoved my hand through my hair, flexing my fingers to shake off the restless itch under my skin. I walked out, shutting the door behind me with a controlled click. Ingrid straightened from where she stood outside, but I waved her off before she could speak. “Stay here,” I ordered, and she nodded without protest. The cor
Ethan: The moment Edward stormed out of the room, I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my chair. My fingers tapped lazily on the stem of my wine glass as I watched Mariel standing there like she’d just been gutted. Honestly, I’d never loved a moment more. She blinked fast, like she was fighting tears but too damn proud to let them fall. That alone made me sit up straighter, lifting my glass to my lips as if I were toasting the disaster that had just unfolded. Mariel’s gaze slid to me, burning with something between frustration and grief. “Don’t say anything, Ethan,” she bit out, her voice tight, like it scraped her throat just getting the words out. “I swear, I can’t take it from you right now.” I smiled slowly. “Relax. I’ve got absolutely nothing to say.” I tilted my head, studying her with an idle curiosity I didn’t bother masking. “Just… wondering why it ended the way it did. Edward’s never exactly been chatty about you. Or anything, really. Guy’s tighter-lipped