Ethan’s POV The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, I saw Freya and stifled a groan. She was standing there, hands clasped in front of her, her face the perfect picture of heartbreak and helplessness. I knew that look too well. In the past, it would have broken me, twisted my insides until I was bending over backward to comfort her and do according to her wishes. Now, all I felt was disgust. I couldn't stand the sight of her. Hell, I wanted to kick her out this instant, but I still had use for her. She had played me, manipulated me, turned me into a shadow of myself. And when I was at my lowest, rotting in a dungeon, she had been the one to whisper the promise of my execution like she was telling me goodnight. I grabbed a towel and rubbed it over my damp hair, shaking off the lingering exhaustion that clung to me. The bath had helped, but it wasn’t enough to wash away the bitterness. Freya took a hesitant step forward, her eyes wide and glistening with t
Lianna: The High Priestess’s house was the last place I expected to find beauty. Yet here I was, standing in a courtyard blooming with midnight roses, their velvet petals releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that made me pause before stepping further in. I had imagined something else entirely—an ancient, sagging shack, maybe, with a cauldron bubbling over and cats hissing from dark corners. But this? This was elegance. Clean-cut hedges, polished obsidian stone underfoot, and lanterns swinging gently in the breeze like they carried secrets inside their glass. I caught my reflection in the black marble pillars that flanked the doorway. My hair was a mess from the ride, and dust streaked the hem of my dress. Wonderful. I should have worn something less… peasant. And I should have taken a car instead. But then again, I wasn’t here to win a fashion contest. I was here to figure out why the hell Freya was still breathing royal air. The doors opened before I could lift a
Lianna: The palace walls gleamed like they’d been freshly scrubbed, the faint scent of lavender oil clinging to the warm stones as I stepped inside. The guards at the entrance saluted, their movements sharp and crisp, but I barely spared them a glance. I was too busy thinking about the conversation I’d had with the High Priestess. My fingers curled tighter around the folds of my cloak as I walked, her final words still ringing in my head like an ominous warning. I needed to find Edward. Instead, I found Imogen, leaning lazily against the polished balustrade at the grand staircase, twirling a dagger between her fingers. Her black hair was pinned back today, exposing the scar that ran just beneath her jawline. She looked up as I approached, one brow arched. “You’re back,” she said, slipping the dagger into its sheath at her hip. “Good timing.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why? Is there something on fire I need to put out?” She snorted. “No, but there might be soon. E
Lianna: The door clicked shut behind us with a muted thud, sealing away the buzz and clamor of the palace corridors. I stood still for a moment, my fingers grazing the cool brass handle before releasing it, the faintest chill clinging to my skin. It felt strange—this quiet—after weeks of public display of affections and private distance. And then Edward’s arm slid around my waist, his fingers splaying over my hip, drawing me flush against the hard planes of his body. His breath was warm against my temple, his voice low, honeyed, and entirely smug. “I’m glad we don’t have to pretend anymore,” he murmured. “No more stiff formalities. No more cold silences. Just us.” I tilted my head to look up at him, one brow arching with deliberate slowness. “You’re getting sentimental. Should I be worried?” He chuckled, deep and quiet, the sound rumbling in his chest, and I felt it through the thin silk of my dress. “You could be,” he replied, his tone teasing as his hand trailed
Lianna: The palace was too quiet. I stood by the window in the corridor, my arms crossed, fingers tapping mindlessly against my elbow. Below, the courtyard was still, save for the flags hanging limp in the breeze that couldn’t seem to make up its mind whether to come or go. I wasn’t sure I could blame it. Edward said Ethan needed space, and for once, no one had argued. Not even me. Ethan had walked out after Freya, and Edward—who always had something to say—had said nothing. His silence had been the loudest thing in the room. I dragged in a breath, pushing it out slowly as if that would help clear the fog between my ears. It didn’t. But the silence was starting to itch beneath my skin, and I’d rather face Imogen’s fist to my ribs than another minute standing still. Combat practice was brutal. Imogen fought like she was trying to kill something inside herself, and maybe she was. I could relate. My knuckles were bruised, my ribs ached, and I was pretty sure I’d be ta
Lianna: "I mean you're happy." He continued. “Of course, life’s been good,” I said, smoothing the napkin across my lap even though there was nothing on it to clean. “I’m married to Edward. And honestly, if anyone told me years ago that it would end this way… him and me, I’d have laughed in their face. Actually, I probably would’ve thrown a drink at them first, then laughed.” That earned me a faint grin, but it was fleeting. His eyes flickered, something raw flashing behind them, but it was gone before I could pin it down. He just nodded, slowly, like he was counting out each beat in his head. “I’m glad,” he said finally, and his voice was rougher now. “You deserve it. And also, I am really fucking sorry for how I treated you." Of all the things I thought Ethan would say, an apology wasn’t high on the list. So I exhaled and said, “Well. That’s big of you.” He huffed a faint laugh, shaking his head. “You always had a way with words.” “Some people call
Lianna: The sun was barely out and I was already sulking, arms wrapped tight around Edward’s waist, as my cheek pressed against the smooth, black linen of his tunic. “Lianna,” Edward murmured, laughing warmly against the shell of my ear, “I’m not going off to die.” I pouted harder. “You might as well be. Three days is basically a lifetime.” He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into my cheek. His fingers brushed down the length of my spine, like he was trying to soothe an irritable kitten. It wasn’t working. “It’s a conference,” he reminded me for the third time, his tone patient but amused. “The Alpha Kings are meeting to discuss how to make the realm safer.” I tilted my head just enough to look up at him. “Yes. Safer. Because nothing screams safety like you leaving me to play babysitter while you gallivant off to the northern isles.” “Hardly gallivanting.” His lips twitched. “And if I recall, you promised to stand in for me while I’m
Lianna: I tugged at the collar of my tunic as I walked alongside Ethan, every nerve in my body protesting the decision to follow him. His strides were leisurely, like he hadn’t just crawled out of a dungeon a few days ago. Like people didn't go hush or whisper every time he walked into a room. We stopped at the base of the gazebo. The wood creaked faintly beneath our feet as we climbed the steps. His boots scuffed against the weather-worn planks, while my lighter shoes made soft thuds that sounded far too loud. I didn't like it. The quiet. The absence of people pretending they weren’t watching. The way my pulse thumped behind my ears. Halfway up, I halted, my fingers flexing at my sides. “Alright,” I said, sharper than I meant to. “What exactly do you want, Ethan?” He stopped too, two steps above me. The corner of his mouth twitched—maybe a smile, maybe a grimace. It was hard to tell with him these days. “Scared to be around me?” he asked, turning to face me fully.
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