Ch 4: Evening whispers and Garden heat

Evening in Veloria was it's own kind of magic. The air was cool, humming with the low chirpy of crickets, and the sky was a watercolor  blend of rose gold and deepening blue .

A soft knock came at the door  just as I finished scrolling on the unread emails. Cole peeked in.

"You're not in your pajamas?" He said with mock surprise. "I was betting you'd be already in Fuzzy socks."

"I considered it," I said setting my phone down. "What's the occasion? You're all cleaned up."

"Evening garden party."

He walked I holding a garment bag on the bed and unzipped it slowly, like unveiling treasure. Inside it was the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen —sleek, silky, and colored a deep emerald green that shimmered like forest light.

"I saw it and I thought of you," he said simply. "This color was made for you."

I stared at him touched, "Cole."

"It's not a bribe," he added quickly, hands up. "I just thought you should look like the main character you are."

"Smooth," I murmured. "Very smooth."

He winked and backed towards the door. "You've got thirty minutes. And don't ghost my party, or I'll send Sarah with champagne and threats."

Thirty minutes later, I stepped out into the garden, the dress hugging me like a secret. Lanterns strung between trees came to life casting their golden light on the trimmed hedges.

Cole found me almost immediately.

"Damn," he said with a whistle. "You're going to start rumors Moonshine."

"Only if you spread them," I shot back.

He laughed and slipped his arm through mine, leading me through the party. I met people with beautiful accents and old money energy, all sipping wine and complimenting the castle like it had just materialized from a fairytale.

"And this," Cole said after a while, stopping Infront of a tall man with piercing blue eyes and a sharp jawline. "Is my brother, Crown Prince Collin."

Prince Collin was cooler in demeanor than cole– more restrained, but not cold. He bowed slightly and took my hand.

"A pleasure to finally meet the mysterious Lisa," he said smoothly. "Cole speaks of you often."

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure most of it is exaggerated."

"Well, I hope so," he teased.

Cole grinned and clapped his brother's shoulder. I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I need to go check on the dessert tables. And probably stop Sarah from turning the champagne fountain into a swimming pool."

He disappeared into the crowd, leaving me with prince Collin, who turned his full attention to me. "So, blogger from New Jersey. What's your first impression of Veloria?"

I opened my mouth to answer.

Then—

I felt it.

Someone behind me.

Not just presence. A presence.

I turned, drawn by instinct and —there he was.

Towel man.

But not in a towel now. He was dressed in a dark velvet jacket and a silk cravat. Those same dark eyes met mine—cool, calm, knowing.

Prince Collin smiled and stepped forward. "Uncle Cassian, you're late."

Uncle.

The word hit me like a brick. I blocked completely thrown.

Cassian's expression didn't change. If he recognized me, he gave no sign of it. He reached my hand with practiced elegance.

"A pleasure," he said smoothly, his voice like smoke. "You must be Miss Moon."

He lifted my hand and pressed a soft, deliberate kiss to my knuckles. I couldn't breathe.

Because either he was pretending he didn't remember the steamy locker room encounter or he was good at playing the long game.

His lips brushed the back of my head like it was nothing— just a polite, old world greeting.

Before I could say a word, he turned to Colin. "I need to borrow you for a moment."

Colin nodded, "ofcourse."

Cassian's eyes flicked to mine for the briefest second and then he turned and walked away with the prince in tow.

I stood there frozen, champagne bubbles rising in my blood instead of the glass. Was I the only one feeling this thing?

The magnetism? This weird electricity?

Maybe I was still Jet lag. Or maybe it was the silk of the dress clinging on me. Or maybe it was just that I hadn't kissed anyone in far too long and my standards had plummeted to include emotionally unavailable royals.

I grabbed a fresh glass of champagne from a passing tray and made my way through the garden, deeper into the quiet hedged paths, needing air— or clarity— or both.

The party faded behind me, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and distant music. I followed the stone path towards a secluded corner lined with white roses, sipping slowly, letting the calm seep in.

Then I heard it.

A moan.

Low.

Another one, a bit sharper.

My eyebrows pulled together. I paused hesitant. Curiosity pulled me a step closer, and then another. Until I veered off the path and peeked between a veil of vines.

I froze.

There sprawled in the grass under the moonlight, tangled in limbs and pleasure and zero shame—

Jonah.

Sarah.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, stifling a gasp. Sarah's head tipped back in ecstasy while Jonah gripped her hips like she was his last breath on earth.

I turned, fleeing back the way I came, nearly slipping on the dewy grass. My heart pounded —i felt like I had just witnessed something I shouldn't have.

And then—

Thud.

I smacked right into someone's chest. A solid warm chest. Strong hands steadied me by the arms.

"Easy," a familiar voice said, amusement curling in it. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I looked up.

Cassian.

I blinked rapidly, struggling to arrange my face into something that wasn't screaming 'Fornicaters o'clock'.

"I...I just needed air." I said, breathless.

He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing in mock concern. "Champagne hitting a little hard?"

"No," I said too quickly. "I'm fine."

He studied me for a moment. Then with an unreadable smirk, he stepped aside and gestured down the path.

"Shall we walk, Miss Moon? You seem in need of a distraction."

I nodded. "I would appreciate that, Lord Cassian."

He raised a brow, "Call me Cassian."

I smirked, falling into steps behind him.

"Cassian."