Kiara's POVThe morning sunlight spilled softly through the curtains, rousing me from a restless sleep. My body felt heavy, weighed down by the memories of the day before. The pain of what Veryon had done still lingered, a fresh wound that refused to close.There was a knock on the door. "Come in," I called, my voice hoarse.Maidservant Tae entered, her hands folded neatly in front of her. She bowed slightly before speaking. "My lady, it's time to prepare for your training."I nodded and sat up, allowing her to guide me through my morning routine. Tae worked diligently, brushing out my long hair and securing it into a simple braid. Her hands moved deftly as she fastened the ties of my training robes."Thank you, Tae," I murmured, trying to muster a smile, though my heart wasn't in it."Of course, my lady," she replied softly, her gaze filled with quiet understanding.When I stepped out of my chambers and made my way to meet Lucius, my stomach churned. The silence between us was palpab
As soon as we returned to the palace, I rushed to my room without a backward glance. I didn't wait for Lucius to say anything, nor did I bother calling for Maidservant Tae to attend to me. My only goal was to shut myself away from everything—and everyone.But as I slammed the door shut, a sharp pang of unease settled in my chest. Tae wasn't there. She usually greeted me the moment I came back, fussing over me like a mother hen, asking about training, or bringing me something warm to drink. Her absence felt... odd.Still, I didn't have the energy to dwell on it. My mind was a mess, and if I let myself spiral down yet another rabbit hole, I'd never pull myself out. Instead, I went straight to the small stash I'd hidden behind the wardrobe—some leftover beer from Elena's party.I grabbed a bottle, popped it open, and made my way to the rooftop. The night air hit my skin like a balm, cool and bracing, but it did little to soothe the storm raging inside me.As I sat there, feet dangling ov
I sent the generals away before I could change my mind. Their presence grated on me this morning, their expectant stares like needles against my skin. I had no interest in their reports or strategies—none of it mattered. Not today.Lying on my bed, I stared at the ceiling, willing my mind to stop racing. But it didn't. It never did. My hair fell in disarray across my face, and I made no effort to push it away. The weight of it all—the kingdom, the council, her—it pressed down on me like a suffocating fog.The kiss haunted me.I closed my eyes, but the image came rushing back. Kiara… kissing him. My disgusting excuse of a brother. The sight was burned into my memory, a wound that refused to heal.Just yesterday, I'd argued with the council to have Veryon banished. They refused, of course. "He's a prince," they said, "the former crown prince." As if that justified his presence. As if that justified his existence. It didn't matter—I would find a way to get rid of him. It would be a long,
As she unsheathed the sword, I called out to her. "Come back," I said, my voice steady despite the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. She turned, her steps slow and deliberate as the water rippled around her.But just as she neared the edge, something shifted. Her body tensed, her footing faltered, and suddenly she was sinking."Kiara!" I shouted, panic slicing through me as I watched her struggle. Without hesitation, I moved toward the water's edge, ready to jump in.But then, her hand shot up, stopping me. "No, don't come in yet!" she called out, her voice strained but firm."What?" I froze, confused and alarmed."You need to—" she gasped, her words breaking apart as she fought to stay afloat. "You need to take off your clothes."Her words hit me like a slap, and I paused, stunned. My mind reeled, trying to make sense of what she was saying."What are you talking about?""No one can enter Lake gayank with their clothes on," she managed to say, her voice trembling but insistent.
Kiara's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and guilt as the carriage rolled onward, the tension so thick it was suffocating. Every moment felt more excruciating than the last, especially with Kael and Asher sitting just a few feet away, their glances far too knowing for her comfort.She kept her eyes glued to the window, praying the awkward ride would end soon. But it seemed fate had other plans.The carriage hit a slight bump, jostling her forward, and in that instant, her hand brushed against his. It was fleeting, barely a touch, but her heart skipped wildly as if it had been something far more.She pulled her hand back instinctively, but before she could retreat completely, his fingers closed around hers, firm yet gentle. His hand enveloped hers, rough and warm, and her breath hitched.She turned to him, wide-eyed, but his gaze remained forward, his expression unreadable. Yet, his grip didn't waver; instead, his fingers intertwined with hers, locking them together in a silent d
I blinked, stunned by his words. "You and Athena… you go a long way?"He nodded, his eyes distant, swirling with emotions that seemed too raw to contain. "We met long before Lucius did. Before she became his master."I frowned, trying to piece it together. "What are you saying?""Actually, she was my master first," he said bitterly, his voice tightening. "She was mine in every way—every damn way—before…" His words trailed off, but the weight of them lingered."Before what?" I pressed cautiously.He let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head. "Before she met Lucius. Before she decided I wasn't worth it. She claimed I was a bad student, all because I killed…""Killed?" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper."A spirit," he said flatly. "A powerful one called Nihil. Stronger than all the others. Even the spirits bow to it. It possessed a woman's body, and I figured it out. I killed it."I stared at him, trying to process the information. "And that's why she cut you off?"He scoffed bitterly
I woke with a dull ache in my head, the kind that made the edges of my vision blur for a moment. Blinking several times, I groaned softly, my tongue sticking uncomfortably to the roof of my mouth. There was a strange, bitter taste lingering… and then it hit me.The taste of Veryon’s alcohol.I grimaced, sitting up slightly, only to stop dead in my tracks. My head turned, and there he was.Veryon’s head rested on my shoulder, his face relaxed and serene in sleep. His damp hair had dried into soft, unruly waves, framing his maddeningly perfect features. He looked so peaceful—so different from the sharp-edged, brooding man I’d spent the night with.I couldn’t help it; my gaze lingered. The sharp line of his jaw, the faint shadows his lashes cast on his cheekbones—it all held me captive. My heart fluttered against my will, and a strange warmth pooled in my chest.What was wrong with me?My breath hitched as his lips parted, ever so slightly, and I felt the rise and fall of his chest again
After her bath, Kiara tugged on the heavy training attire, groaning as the fabric weighed her down. It clung annoyingly to her shoulders, dragging her steps. She was prepared for training__mentally, at least but not for seeing Lucius. Not after yesterday's disaster. And definitely not with Veryon's smirk still haunting her thoughts.Just as she reached for the door, there was a sharp knock. General Asher's deep voice carried through the room. "Milady, Yourhighness regrets to inform you that he's occupied with duties today and cannot train you."Kiara blinked, relief washing over her. "Really? Oh, that's… such a shame!" she called back, barely keeping her tone neutral.She threw herself onto her bed the moment Asher's footsteps faded. The fabric of her robes puffed around her, and she sighed in contentment. Finally, a free day. Normally, Lucius and training would keep her busy, but now? Now she was free to do… absolutely nothing.The sunlight streaming through the windows mocked her. D
Kiara's POVMy lungs burned. My legs ached. But I didn't stop running.The trees loomed around me, their shadows twisting in the moonlight, casting eerie figures in the dark. The forest air was thick with damp earth and the sharp scent of pine, but beneath it all, I could feel them.Glutton and Envy were still behind me.I could hear Glutton's heavy footfalls—crushing everything in his path—the snap of twigs, the crunch of dead leaves. He wasn't trying to be quiet. He didn't need to be.Envy, on the other hand, was silent. Too silent. That was the part that terrified me.A low, cruel chuckle slithered through the trees.> "You're fast," Envy's voice came from somewhere behind me. "But not fast enough."Panic surged through me.I pushed forward, my body screaming in protest. My throat was dry, my breath ragged, but I knew what would happen if I stopped. They'd take me. And I didn't even want to think about what that meant.Then—Pain.A force slammed into my side, knocking me off my fe
Veryon' POVThe air shifted.It wasn't just the whispers anymore—it was something worse.A presence slithered through the trees, the shadows curling like smoke as a figure stepped forward, slow and languid, as if she had all the time in the world.Lust.She was exactly as I remembered her. Beautiful in a way that was unnatural, her body wrapped in the kind of shadowy silk that clung to her curves, her lips curled in amusement as she tilted her head at me."Hello, Veryon," she purred, her voice dripping with mock affection. "Long time no see."I stiffened, my grip on Kiara's hand tightening as more figures emerged from the darkness. Wrath. Pride. Gluttony. Envy.They were all here.Kiara tensed beside me, and I could feel the way her breath hitched—the way she understood, even without me saying a word, that this was bad.Very bad."Still playing hero, I see," Lust mused, taking a step forward. "I warned you what would happen if you got in our way again. And yet here you are… with her."
Veryon's POVShe didn't understand.Kiara sat there, watching the fire, her body exhausted but still tense, still defiant. She thought she could fight this—them. That she could stay in that palace, surrounded by guards, by mages, by walls that would crumble the moment the spirits decided to take them.She thought she was safe.I knew better.The spirits took everything from me. My throne. My people. Athena.And now they wanted her.I couldn't let that happen.My fists clenched at my sides, my body a storm of tension as I looked at her. She was still so full of fire, still fighting even after she had nearly collapsed from exhaustion. She was too stubborn for her own good. But I admired that stubbornness far more than I should.Far more than I had any right to.She turned her head slightly, her gaze catching mine. "You're staring."I didn't deny it."Sleep," I told her. It was more of an order than a request.She huffed, leaning back against the cold stone wall, rubbing her arms as if s
Kiara POV.I stood there, my breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps, my body trembling with exhaustion. My arms ached from the strain of pulling water from thin air, and my hands stung where the energy had burned against my skin. I had pushed myself too far, but I didn't care. I had done it. I had fought. I had proven, if only to myself, that I wasn't weak.But my victory was short-lived.Pain flared in my side, sharp and unrelenting, and I gritted my teeth, refusing to acknowledge it. I was fine. I had to be fine.Veryon, however, wasn't fooled."You're hurt," he said, stepping toward me."I'm fine," I snapped, trying to straighten, but the moment I moved, a fresh wave of pain shot through me. Damn it. I must have strained something—or worse.Veryon sighed, shaking his head. "You're as stubborn as ever."I tried to glare at him, but the effect was probably ruined by the way I was swaying on my feet. Before I could protest, he was already beside me, his hands firm but careful as he guid
Lucius stepped out of the bathroom, water still dripping from his hair, his eyes narrowing as he wiped his face with a towel. The warm glow of the early morning sun filtered through the thick curtains, but there was something off in the air, something that made the usual peace of the palace feel unsettling.Kiara should have been here by now.His thoughts immediately shifted to the training session. She was always prompt, always eager to push herself. But today, there was no sign of her.He tossed the towel aside and walked toward the door, his movements brisk, his mind already racing. Something wasn't right. He had felt it the moment he stepped out of the bathroom—the absence of her presence.He moved quickly, striding down the hallway, his boots clicking against the marble floor. His eyes scanned every corner, every empty room he passed, his heart starting to quicken with a sense of urgency."Kiara?"The name slipped from his lips almost involuntarily, but the silence that followed
Veryon's breathing was labored, his eyes darting around as though he expected an attack at any moment. His gaze finally landed on me, softening for a fleeting second before the sharp edge of distrust returned."Kiara," he rasped, his voice hoarse. "I don't have time to explain everything, but you need to listen to me."I stepped back, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my sword. "Veryon, you're hurt—what happened? Let me call Lucius, he can—""No!" he snapped, the desperation in his tone stopping me mid-sentence. He clenched his fists, his entire body trembling. "I don’t trust him. I don’t trust anyone here, Kiara. The only person I trust is you."His words struck me like a blow, and I struggled to process the weight of them. "Me? Veryon, what are you saying? Lucius and the others have been helping me—protecting me—""You don’t understand," he interrupted, his voice breaking slightly. "These walls, this place… they’re suffocating you. The spirits… they will come for you, Kiara.
The morning light filtered through the curtains, painting soft streaks of gold across the stone walls of my room. I lay still, staring at the ceiling, my body aching from the weight of emotions and responsibilities that had piled up over the past few days.Maidservant Tae's death still lingered in my thoughts, a dull ache in my chest that refused to fade. It wasn't just his loss—it was the ripple effect it caused, the reminder of how fragile everything was. I had been trying to find my footing, trying to recover, but it felt like every step forward was met with another obstacle.Lucius, ever the dutiful protector, had brought Yuva and Layla to my side. They were capable, sharp, and intimidating in their own right, but their constant vigilance only added to the tension surrounding me. They barely spoke, their focus always on their duties, and the awkwardness between us hung in the air like an invisible wall.Elena, on the other hand, was my saving grace. Her sarcastic jokes and infecti
The room was heavy with tension as the duke who spoke placed the lantern on the table. It sat there, unassuming yet brimming with the weight of history. I stared at the object, my green eyes narrowing as unease settled over me."This is one of the lanterns Athena used to trap spirits," the duke declared, his voice steady yet charged with excitement. "After her death, they were believed to be lost or destroyed. But here it is—an artifact of unimaginable power, Your Majesty."I reached forward, running my fingers over the intricate carvings etched into its surface. The faint glow emanating from it was almost imperceptible, like the dying embers of a once roaring fire."It's powerless," I said, placing the lantern back down with a decisive thud."Yes," the duke admitted reluctantly. "Its power has faded, but it can be reawakened—if the goddess, Athena, wills it."My jaw tightened at their words. "She's not ready," I replied flatly, meeting their expectant gazes with a firm, unyielding st
Lucuis POVAfter carefully tucking Kiara into bed, I quietly left her chambers. The hallway was still and dimly lit, the silence a welcome reprieve from her drunken ramblings. I shook my head, a small smile pulling at my lips as I thought about her antics. She'd be nursing quite the hangover in the morning.By the time I reached my own chamber, exhaustion tugged at me. The alcohol I'd consumed on the rooftop added a slight haze to my senses, though I'd been careful not to drink too much. As I closed the door behind me, ready to collapse into bed, I froze. Kael was standing in the middle of the room, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable."Don't you ever sleep?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.He smiled faintly, brushing off the remark. "Your Highness, the Dukes of Decresh have suddenly called for an impromptu meeting tomorrow morning," he said, his tone serious.I frowned, already uninterested. "Tell them to wait," I said dismissively, moving toward my bed.Before I could