MasukAria:The consort common room was unusually loud that afternoon, whispers, chatter, nervous giggles all rolling together like a wave. The moment I stepped inside, every head turned to me.I should have expected it.“Come and join us for a meal. We are starving, and you are eating for two.” Lysa said, patting the chair beside her, making me smile. I sat down, and for one second, I hesitated. Noticing, Lysa nudged my shoulder and winked, giving me a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, no one is going to harm you here.”I smiled and nodded before taking a spoon and starting with the pumpkin soup. It was winter, and the cold nights were now growing longer, and snow was starting to fall…“Aria,” one of the girls said, leaning forward eagerly, “what will your first order be when you become Luna? You know, given everything that is going on, we are going to need a new Luna.”I froze for a heartbeat, then forced a calm breath.“It has not been decided who the Luna is, and I don’t think that it should
Dominic:The dungeon was quiet when they brought her in.No chains.No shoves.No spectacle.I didn’t need any of it.I knew that she wouldn’t fight anymore. She didn’t need to. She knew what she had cost herself.“Dominic, are you sure about this?” Alessandro asked, and I nodded.“I am going to speak to her alone.” I said, making him frown.“She is going to try and twist this around.”“You and I know, but I am going to be the one to speak to her.” I said, and he sighed but nodded, walking out the door, leaving me in the dungeon with the one person who would want her dead.“Are you sure that you are going to be able to do this?”“She lied to my face. She looked me in the eye and lied.” She said, from the shadows. Her heart raced against her chest, but I said nothing to ease her pain. I knew that nothing would at this point. And she knew the ending of this. But she needed closure, and that was the one last thing that I was going to give her after she had revealed what I wanted.Flashba
Aria:I hadn’t answered his calls.Not the first night.Not the second.Not the third.And I was planning to keep ignoring him. I needed to be in peace, and the last thing that I wanted was to try and prove myself whenever something happened, whenever she happened.So when the door to my room opened without warning, I didn’t jump. I didn’t turn either. I was standing by the window, arms folded, watching the moon climb higher like it had nothing to fear.“I’ve been calling for you,” Dominic said behind me. “And you haven’t answered to them.”“I know,” I replied calmly. “I chose to ignore it. And am still choosing to keep ignoring.”Silence followed.“You could have taken the hint,” I added. “You didn’t really need to come. It is not going to change the reality of things.”He sighed, not angry, frustrated. “How stubborn are you planning to be? You know, us not talking about things is not going to end in our favor.”I turned then, meeting his gaze. “As stubborn as I need to be if I don’t
Katherine:Alessandro didn’t bother with pleasantries. And I knew that he was here to get answers. Answers that I wasn’t willing to give.“You know that you don’t have to look at me like I am carrying the plague,” I said, and he rolled his eyes. “I don’t think that I have done anything to deserve such a look.”He stood across from me like a judge who had already reached a verdict, his arms crossed, his eyes sharp with something far too close to disgust.“You of all people know how to manipulate your way into things in this world. But what you always seem to forget is that I am not like the others that fall for your games.” He said, and I rolled my eyes.“The two of us were never on the same page anyway. I wonder, though, is it the same way with Aria? Or is it because she is pregnant that she has a special place within the pack? You know, suddenly she is a slave, and then she is carrying a child… now she is the most important thing in the world.” I said, rolling my eyes. “Is it going t
Dominic:Alessandro’s expression told me everything before he spoke.“She’s not talking,” he said quietly. “Not a word more than what she already gave you.”I nodded once. I hadn’t expected otherwise.“I know,” I replied. “And I know the cost of that kind of loyalty. And unfortunately, until I’ve gotten the words out of her, I can’t do anything to harm Katherine. And it is only a matter of time before even the council ask me to let her out if I don’t get any proof against her.”“Are you sure that she did it, Dominic?”“Do you believe that Alessia did it on her own?” I asked, and Alessandro chuckled, shaking his head.“No, I don’t think so. Alessia is not that smart.”“And she is only loyal to Katherine. If she did it, then it was for a reason, and that is one that I don’t fucking like. And the fact that she is covering for Katherine makes it even worse.” I said, looking Alessandro in the eye. “I’ve seen her family, more than once long ago. Her mother is nowhere near being a healer, an
Aria:I didn’t even bother speaking to Brenna. I needed a break, at least for tonight… I’ll handle whatever comes tomorrow.But I realized something was wrong the moment I stepped into my room.Someone else was sitting inside, her eyes studying her surroundings.She was elderly, but not frail. Elegant in a way that came from authority rather than silk, her spine straight, her silver hair braided neatly over one shoulder. She looked as if she belonged anywhere she chose to sit. When she saw me, she smiled, slow, assessing, amused.“Don’t be afraid, child,” she said gently. “If I wished you harm, you wouldn’t be standing. And I wouldn’t be doing it in your chamber.”I didn’t move from the doorway. “And you are?”“I am Elder Maerlyn,” she continued, rising smoothly to her feet. “One of the old blood. I asked to see you. I was told that you were busy dealing with an incident. I assumed that you would coming back here, and chose to wait for you.”I lifted my chin. “Why? What could you poss







