Novels by JoyceOrtsen

“Maybe,” Matthew echoed. He gave a small nod, almost to himself. “It was quite a stunning ring. Envy of all the women. Still is.”He paused, a distant look flickering over his face. “It’s said to be of immeasurable value because of the gems—and the love of the king for the queen. But… when she was found out to be a witch, and it was believed she had charmed the king… he took the ring back. Banished her. Stripped her of her titles, her name. She was never seen again.”“Story time?” Elias’s voice cut through the room. He strolled in, the edges of his smile sharp. Lyra jumped slightly and instinctively pulled her hand out of Matthew’s hold.Matthew straightened but didn’t look the least bit ruffled. “We were just discussing history. It’s always good to know the past, don’t you think?”“Especially the parts that conveniently fit your narrative,” Elias replied dryly.“Where is the tea?” Matthew asked, turning his head slightly, his regal patience thinning.“It’s almost here,” Elias replied

Elias, watching the exchange from below, felt his jaw clench. He knew exactly what Lyra was doing, playing the seductive card but that didn’t stop the jealousy from slithering up his spine.“I am so glad you came,” Lyra added as she reached the base of the stairs. She stopped right in front of Matthew and gave a small, practiced curtsey. Elias noticed how perfectly poised she was, every movement intentional. She was performing.Matthew reached for her hand. He lifted it to his lips, kissed it gently—and didn’t let go. His lips lingered longer than etiquette allowed, brushing against her knuckles.He glanced down at the ring Elias had given her that very morning. A single eyebrow twitched upward, but he said nothing. The message was clear though. She’s wearing your ring, but she’s still within reach.“Shall we sit for some tea?” Elias said.“Of course,” Matthew responded smoothly, without so much as a glance Elias’s way—and still without releasing Lyra’s hand.Together, they moved towar

“You ask him,” Elias responded simply.Lyra stared at him. “Great. I’ll just ask the King of Terra Lucida why he killed me—while I’m standing right in front of him. Sounds like a fun brunch conversation.”“There’s no need to be sarcastic,” Elias said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You just have to pick his brain for what he knows.”“Right. Because murderers are so chatty. I’ll just walk up and be like, ‘Hey Your Majesty, remember that time you may or may not have stabbed me? Care to unpack that trauma for me?’” she snapped.Elias exhaled heavily. “He wouldn’t have hurt her. Matthew would never hurt Lirae.”Lyra crossed her arms, unconvinced. “You say that like you know him. You said so yourself, you trusted him and he took the throne from you. People do all sorts of awful things and still sleep like babies. What if he’s been lying this entire time? What if he killed Lirae himself and now he’s just playing the gracious royal act?”Elias shook his head firmly. “No. He’s many things b

But he wasn’t hearing her. Or maybe he didn’t want to. Maybe he thought if he drowned in her, he wouldn’t feel the guilt anymore.“You could never be Lirae,” he slurred, eyes dark and unfocused. “I can never love you.”Lyra’s breath hitched as he tried to pull down the strap of her nightdress.She reacted without hesitation.SLAP.Elias’s head snapped to the side. And then—his rage flared.He grabbed her again, harsher now, shoving her backward until her back hit the wall. Lyra winced, pushing against him, her eyes wide with disappointment.And then the door burst open.“Your Highness!”Thaddeus stood in the doorway, chest heaving, his usual grace gone.Elias froze. His hand still on Lyra’s wrist. His breath coming out in short, guilty bursts.He looked between them—Thaddeus’s disapproving stare and Lyra’s heartbroken eyes. The shame was instant and blinding.“Lyra…” he said.She slowly straightened her dress, smoothed her tousled hair, and walked out without another word. Every step s

“Thaddeus?” Lyra called as she stepped out of her bedroom, her bare feet brushing against the cold stone floor. The corridor was lit only by the low flicker of candle sconces, painting shadows on her face and glinting softly off the sheer nightdress that left little to the imagination.Thaddeus turned the corner. He gave a strangled little sound, caught somewhere between a gasp and a hiccup, then turned his whole body away as if struck blind. “My lady,” he managed. “You shouldn’t go around the castle like that. I—I will get you your robe.” And with the urgency of a man on a holy mission, he vanished into her room as if it were a crime scene.“All of you around here are prudes,” she muttered under her breath, folding her arms in mock irritation. “God forbid a woman has knees.”Thaddeus returned seconds later, holding out her robe. He kept his gaze firmly locked on a very interesting spot on the ceiling. “Here you go, my lady.”Lyra took the robe but draped it casually over one arm, maki

“I did not!” she said, but her face said otherwise.“You did!”“No, I didn’t.” Lyra crossed her arms, grinning wider. “I was being respectful. I said ‘aww’ like a lady.”“You said it like you wanted to pat my head and give me a gold star for being emotionally repressed.”“Or maybe I said it because I’m used to guys in my world being all ‘what’s your favourite position’ before even learning my last name.”“Oh.” Was all Elias could manage.“Ugggh. I have to go down for dinner. I’m famished,” Lyra groaned, dragging herself to her feet.Elias rose from her bed, heading toward the door. “Okay. I’ll see you downstairs,” he said smoothly.But then he paused at the door, turning just slightly with a mischievous grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Oh, one more thing… we have to get married as soon as possible.” And with that, he turned the knob, opened the door, and bolted.For a second, her brain simply refused to process the words. Then—“What? Elias! Get back here!” she shrieked, dashi