Semua Bab His Unbeloved Queen: Bab 31 - Bab 40

-Darius-I was meeting with my brother again, and he had laid out an entire map of where the Dark Ones were hiding. It depicted the darker side of Adorna, where the sun never seemed to shine.“It won’t work,” I said firmly.“Of course it will. Strike them hard and fast,” Acan insisted.“Look at this, Acan,” I said, sweeping my hand over the dark expanse on the map. “Does this look like a manageable landscape? We don’t know where they’re hiding or what tricks they might have. Remember who you’re sending out there.”I looked at my brother pleadingly, and he seemed to reconsider, leaning back and viewing the attack plan from a new angle.“What do you suggest? They don’t like coming out of hiding,” he reminded me.“No, so we give them a reason to,” I said with a sigh, though I was reluctant about the idea.“Go on.”“Fire. A lot of it. And bring in the sun witches too. I need all the power I can get from the light,” I explained.“Smoke them out?”“Yes, smoke them out.”“That might just work

-Katherine-I looked at myself in the mirror, smoothing down the dark silver dress. It was adorned in the colors of Darius and me. My red hair was up and braided, and the onyx ring glistened in the candlelight. I gazed at it, turning it back and forth.“Katherine?” I turned around to see Darius standing behind me, dressed elegantly in his own dark and silver attire. He looked impressive, but there was a weariness in his eyes. I knew he hadn’t been sleeping well.“You look beautiful,” he said.“Thank you,” I whispered, slowly walking over to him.He seemed reluctant to meet my eyes, which pained me. I didn’t want him to look away or hesitate to touch me, but then he surprised me by lifting his hand to stroke my hair, looking at me with so much love in his eyes.“I’m sorry,” I whispered.“No, I am. I just… didn’t want to get too close knowing I'm leaving," he explained.“What?”“Leaving you here will be the hardest thing I have to do,” he confessed.“Darius—"“I hoped that spending some

-Katherine-I stared at Darius, puzzled by his words. He smiled softly, pulling me closer, his warm hand resting on my hip. “What do you mean?” I asked“I fear I may never hold you again,” he whispered, his hand moving from my hip to my cheek. “I fear I might never touch you or love you again.”“Darius, I’m still here,” I said gently.“I know you’re clever and strong, but we don’t know what’s ahead. The Dark Ones are powerful and cunning. Despite their hunger for power, they are just as clever. I don’t know if I’ll make it back. And what then? Your plan relies on me, doesn’t it?”I sighed, nodding.“I fear I’ll die on some cold battlefield,” he whispered. “I don’t want that.”“Then don’t. Just remember your promise to me,” I urged.He smiled, though his smile was tinged with sadness. “I didn’t used to be afraid,” he said.“Everyone is scared sometimes.”“Not me. Not as a Dark One. Not as the Dark Prince,” he explained.“Never?”“Rarely. It wasn’t until I saw you and witnessed those acc

-Katherine-I skipped breakfast, lying in bed for most of the morning, but I knew I couldn’t hide. I had to appear strong. I jumped out of bed, summoned some servants, and got ready to leave my room. I walked toward where Silver and the others were relaxing, chatting, and enjoying their time.“Oh, Katherine,” Silver said when she noticed me, her gaze sympathetic as if she truly cared that my husband had been sent to war and I might never see him again. I forced a smile, maintaining the act for Darius’s sake, for my own, and for our child.“We thought you might not join us today,” she continued.“Why wouldn’t I?” I replied, sitting down. “My husband and I simply spent the night doing other pleasurable things besides sleeping.”The other ladies chuckled a little.“It wore me out,” I said.Silver seemed satisfied with my response, smiling a little, clearly impressed. “Well, if you have one night left, why not spend it in an epic way?”“Exactly,” I said, taking a bite of the food. “So, my

-Katherine-The next day, I ventured into town on my own, opting for an early start so no one would find it strange that I wasn’t at the castle. This time, I had brought even more supplies with me, heading to the city hospital. I had spoken with the physician at the castle, who was eager to provide me with a list to help gather the right herbs and potions to take along.As I delivered the necessities, I was met with gratitude and smiles, and I made sure to make it clear that these provisions came from the prince and princess—not the king and queen. Then I walked among the sick, conscious of the need to be careful. Without powers, I could easily become infected myself. While witches could fall ill too, most patients in the infirmary were humans, and magic couldn’t always cure them. But it was clear that the patients appreciated my visit, grateful for the company.After the infirmary, I stopped by the orphanage for a quick hello, mindful not to linger too long for fear that Silver would