Lianna: The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Edward hadn’t said a word since my outburst. He just stood there, his gaze locked onto me like he was trying to decipher some impossible puzzle. I scoffed, shaking my head as I turned away. “If you’re just going to stand there and say nothing, then I shouldn’t have said anything at all.” Before I could take another step, he was on me. A firm arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. His warmth seeped into me, but I refused to relax. He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply before pressing a lingering kiss to my temple. “That’s not true,” he murmured, his voice thick, almost hoarse. “I’m speechless, Lianna. Fucking speechless.” He tightened his grip, as though afraid I’d slip away. “I didn’t expect to hear those words from you. I fucking didn’t.” His confession made my stomach flip, but I refused to let him off the hook so easily. Fighting the shiver running down m
Lianna: The sound of hooves crunching against the dirt path filled the silence between me and the two people ahead—Edward and Freya. They were trotting side by side, laughing about something I had no fucking clue about. Their hushed voices blended with the rustling leaves around us, and every now and then, Edward would throw his head back and chuckle at something she said. I watched them, my grip tightening around the reins of my horse. My fingers were stiff, nearly frozen from how hard I was holding on, but I didn’t care. I could feel my heartbeat in my throat, a violent pulse of betrayal that I had swallowed over and over again until now. How fucking foolish was I? That was the only question in my mind. How foolish was I to be following behind them like some discarded pet, pretending there was nothing to worry about? Pretending like my fiancé hadn’t promised me—this morning—that he would steer clear of her? And yet, here we were. I let out a dry laugh, sh
Lianna: I had spent the entire morning pacing my chambers, attempting to distract myself with work, with books, with literally anything that didn’t involve Edward and her. But no matter what I did, my thoughts kept circling back to them. The laughter they shared. The hushed conversations. The way he looked at her, not quite like a man in love, but not like someone who despised her, either. It made my skin crawl. What exactly could I do to snap Edward out of this daze he had been in since he let his anger dictate things for him? I was actually done feeling guilty, but the anger remained. It fucking remained. It was eating through me like fucking cancer. Reminding me that no matter what happened, Freya would always win. Just as she had won with Edward. I exhaled sharply, staring at the untouched breakfast tray on my table. Even the smell of freshly baked bread and rich honeyed tea—things I normally enjoyed—made my stomach churn. I hated feeling this way. Helple
Edward: Lianna was driving me fucking crazy. And not that I was complaining, but things were starting to get really bad between us. One moment, we were fine—laughing, talking, sharing those rare, fleeting moments where it felt like nothing in the world could come between us. Then the next? She was storming off. And at the center of it all? Freya. Even when it didn’t seem like it, Lianna was right. Freya had done something to me. I just didn’t know what. Lianna had just dismounted her horse and stormed off—again—leaving me standing there like a fucking idiot. I didn’t even know what had set her off this time. It could’ve been anything. The way I spoke, the way I looked at her, or maybe just the fact that I was breathing in the same goddamn space as her. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply before moving to follow her. I barely made it five steps before slamming straight into Harvey. "Where the hell do you think you’re going?" His tone was flat, but there wa
Lianna’s POV The wooden door shut behind me with a dull thud, and I exhaled sharply, shaking off the remnants of my irritation. Just as the man was about to step inside, I called out, my voice firm but polite. "Hey!" He stopped abruptly, his broad shoulders tensing before he turned, one brow arched in confusion. The fading light outlined his face—sharp jaw, sun-weathered skin, dark eyes that held an unreadable glint. I came to a halt before him, brushing loose strands of hair away from my face. "Sorry for stopping you like that," I said, offering a small smile. He studied me for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "Is there an issue?" I let out a short laugh, crossing my arms. "You seriously don’t know who I am?" He shrugged, casual as ever. "No clue." For a second, I thought he was joking. I blinked. "No clue?" He shook his head. Okay, either this guy lived under a rock or he was messing with me. "I’m the Luna," I said, watching his expression
Edward: For a long second, neither Harvey nor I spoke. Then— "What the fuck was that?" Harvey’s voice was filled with confusion and anger. I ran a hand over my face, exhaling. "I don’t know." Harvey let out a sharp breath. "You don’t know?" He took a step closer, his frustration rolling off him in waves. "Edward, she has cast a fucking spell on you. And you’re just sitting here, smiling like a goddamn fool while she plays you like a puppet." I frowned. "It’s not—" "Don’t," he cut me off, his voice low, dangerous. "Don’t you dare defend her. You’re better than this." I looked away, my fingers tightening around the box Freya had given me. Harvey scoffed, shaking his head. "You do realize this is exactly how it started with Ethan, right?" I flinched. "Wake up, Edward," Harvey said, his voice quieter now, almost resigned. "Because if you don’t, you’re going to lose everything." Then, without another word, he turned and stormed out, slamm
Lianna: I had never been happier in my entire life. With Edward gone, Freya and I had a silent battle of stares. I didn't tear my gaze away from her. I wasn't afraid. I remained seated, picking at the last bits of my meal, savoring the moment as I lifted my goblet to my lips. The wine tasted sweeter than ever. Freya, on the other hand, was barely holding it together. Her hands trembled at her sides, fingers curling into fists against the tablecloth. She looked torn between fury and fear, her knuckles white as she tried to steady her breath. Good. “You—” Her voice wavered, but she stood anyway, her chair scraping against the marble floor as she shot daggers at me. “You’re lying.” I arched a brow, swirling the wine in my glass. “Am I?” “Yes,” she hissed, her chest rising and falling unevenly. “You’re making all of this up just to turn Edward against me.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but I had seen better performances. “Freya,” I sighed, s
Freya: The moment I slammed the car door shut, my nails dug into the steering wheel. My entire body vibrated with barely contained rage, my breaths coming sharp and ragged. I could still hear Lianna’s voice in my head, smug and triumphant, as she tore apart everything I had built. That traitorous bastard of a driver. That wretched, meddling Lianna. How? How had I been so careless? I threw my head back against the seat, laughing bitterly at my own stupidity. I had let myself slip, drunk on the small victories I had won. I had been so caught up in Edward’s attention shifting toward me, so satisfied with the way the elixir had started to take effect, that I had gotten comfortable. And comfort was a luxury I could never afford. The moment Lianna walked into that dining hall, I had known. The way Edward’s expression darkened when he heard it, it was all unraveling. She had found out. And it was all because of John. My teeth clenched. If I had ended h
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