Novels by Joe Bankole

CHAPTER 27 - “The Cell”The walls smelled of fear.I didn’t flinch when they shoved me into the cell. I forced my legs to stand straight, even as myheart thundered. My hands shook, but not enough to give them the pleasure of fear.Ethan’s POV“They want a confession,” the guard said, voice sharp, cold. “Admit it, and it goes easier onyou.”I spat on the floor. “I didn’t do anything. And I won’t say I did.”He leaned closer, sneering. “You think you can protect him forever?”“I don’t think,” I said, voice steady. “I know.”The guard slammed the door behind him, leaving me in darkness. I pressed my back againstthe wall, chest rising and falling. Adrian’s words from earlier repeated in my head: “We fighttogether.”I clenched my hands. I wouldn’t break. Not for Marcus. Not for the council. Not even for my ownsafety.A shadow formed at the corner of the cell. I froze.“Ethan.”Adrian. My heart stopped. Relief and panic clashed. “Adrian…” My voice cracked, but I tried tohide the weakn

CHAPTER 26 - “What Love Costs”“You protect me by being yourself,” I whispered. “By fighting. By letting me fight with you.”He closed his eyes. Pain written across his face. “I… I don’t deserve you.”“You’re wrong,” I said strongly. “You deserve someone who won’t run. Someone who sees theman behind the crown. I see you, Adrian.”He opened his eyes then. Full of something raw and scary. “And if I lose you?”“You won’t.” I put my hand over his heart. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”We stayed there, silent, hands clasped, breathing in rhythm. The world outside didn’t exist. Onlyus.Then I remembered Marcus. I had the tape, the one where he admitted everything: the plans,the lies, the manipulation. Proof that could destroy him.Adrian looked up, eyes wide. “You… you recorded him?”I nodded. “I had to. For us. For you. For everyone he’s trying to hurt.”He swallowed hard. “Ethan… you’re taking a risk.”“I know,” I said. “But some things are worth it. You’re worth it.”We shared a qui

CHAPTER 25 - “The First Betrayal”“He’ll either run,” Marcus added, “or crawl back. Either way, the prince breaks.”I swallowed.Seraphina looked at me.“You heard enough,” she whispered.I nodded once.My heart beat.“I can still leave,” I said quietly. “Pretend I didn’t hear this.”She shook her head. “You won’t.”“No,” I agreed. “I won’t.”I thought of Adrian’s face when I turned away.The fear.The pride.The pain.I hated myself for leaving.I hated myself more for knowing I would go back.“I'll stay,” I said.Seraphina searched my face. “You’ll be targeted.”“I already am,” I responded.“You could lose everything,” she said.“I already did,” I answered.She nodded. “Then we fight quietly.”I breathed. “First step?”“Make him trust you again,” she said.That hurt.“He told me not to come back,” I said.She smiled slightly. “He didn’t mean it.”“You sound certain.”“I’ve watched him his whole life,” she said. “He pushes away what he can’t afford to lose.”I closed my eyes briefly.

CHAPTER 24 - “The Night Adrian Breaks”“You think this is easy for me?” I snapped. “You think I enjoy watching everything slip?”“I think you enjoy not choosing,” Ethan said.The words hit hard.“I don’t have a choice,” I said.“You do,” he said. “You just don’t like the cost.”My voice cracked. “You don’t know what happens if I defy her.”“I know what happens if you don’t,” he responded. “You disappear.”“That’s not true.”“You’re already fading,” he said.I stepped closer. “Stop.”“No,” he said. “You need to hear this.”“I said stop,” I repeated.“You hide behind duty,” Ethan continued. “Behind tradition. Behind fear.”“I’m protecting everyone,” I said.“You’re protecting yourself,” he responded.Silence fell between us.I whispered, “I’m scared.”He softened. Just a little.“I know,” he said.“I’m scared of choosing you,” I revealed. “And losing everything.”“And I’m scared of staying,” he said, “and losing myself.”That hurt more than anything else.“You’d leave?” I asked.“Yes,”

CHAPTER 23 - “The Question No One Asks”That's what they asked about, not the truth.So that was the first thing I got.Not the reason I spoke.Not what I knew.Not the person who lied.They asked me what group I belonged to.A voice said, "Sit."I sat."You know why you're here," said a different voice.I told her, "I get why you're scared."Then it was quiet. Thick. Careful.“Choose your tone,” the first voice warned.“I am,” I said. “I’m choosing honesty.”A pause.“Honesty is not always useful,” someone said.“Neither is fear,” I answered.A chair scraped. Someone leaned forward.“Let’s be clear,” the voice said. “You are not on trial.”“Then why does this feel like a confession room?” I asked.No answer.“Tell us,” another voice said, quieter, “how close are you to Prince Adrian?”There it was.Not Marcus.Not corruption.Not the hero I accused.Him.“We’re friends,” I said.“Friends,” the voice repeated. “That’s all?”“Yes.”A soft laugh followed. Mocking.“You spend private hou

CHAPTER 22 - “The Line Ethan Crosses”I shouldn’t have spoken.The moment the words left my mouth, I knew it.Too sharp. Too loud. Too final.“You are lying,” I said. “And everyone here knows it.”The hall went quiet.Not shocked, quiet.Dangerous quiet.The nobleman’s smile froze. It was thin. Polished. Practiced.“You should choose your words carefully,” he responded. “This is not a place for emotionaloutbursts.”I didn’t look away. “Then stop insulting our intelligence.”A few breaths broke.A few heads turned.Adrian stiffened beside me. I felt it without looking.“Ethan,” he said slowly. “Don’t.”But it was already done.The gentleman laughed softly. “You accuse Marcus without proof.”“I'm accusing you,” I said. “Of protecting him.”Gasps followed.Someone whispered my name. Someone else whispered Marcus’s.The gentleman stepped closer. “You forget your position.”“No,” I said. “I remember it too well.”Adrian’s hand brushed my arm. Warning. Fear.“Ethan,” he said again. “Please