LOGINLily POVI stood up abruptly, needing to move, to pace, to do something with the nervous energy flooding through me. "So let me get this straight. If I accept Nathan as my Sovereign Guardian, I give up any chance of having a normal life, of finding a true mate, of choosing my own path. But if I reject the bond, I give up any chance of fulfilling my destiny, of helping my people, of being who I'm meant to be.""I know it's not fair," Uncle Tobias said quietly. "O
Lily POVCeleste's arm was steady around my shoulders as we descended the stairs, her presence grounding me when everything else felt like it was spinning out of control. My legs felt weak, like they might give out at any moment, and I was grateful for her support.We'd just reached the bottom of the staircase when Uncle Tobias's voice stopped us.
Lily POVRunning footsteps echoed through the hallway, followed by a familiar voice calling my name. "Lily! Lily, where are you?"Celeste burst through the broken doorway, her eyes wild with panic. Uncle Tobias was right behind her, his face grim and worried.When Celeste saw me on the floor, she immediately drop
Lily POVThe door handle turned once. Then twice. Then again, more forcefully.Nathan and I stood frozen in the center of his bedroom, our eyes locked on that slowly turning handle. My heart hammered so hard against my ribcage that I thought it might break through. Nathan had positioned himself slightly in front of me, his body tense and ready to fight.
Lily POV"I didn't mean it has to happen now or anything," Nathan added quickly, misreading my silence. "I know it's way too soon to be talking about this. I just wanted you to know that when I think about my future now, I see you in it. In every part of it."I turned in his arms to face him fully, setting the mug of tea down on the balcony railing. Then I kissed him, pouring all the gratitude and affection and desperate need to feel wanted into that kiss.
Lily POVI was curled deep into Nathan's arms, my body fitting against his like we were two puzzle pieces designed to connect. The room was dark except for the faint moonlight streaming through the window, casting silver shadows across the bed. We'd spent the evening making out, kissing until our lips were swollen and our breathing was ragged, touching each other with growing urgency.But when things had started moving toward something more intimate, something had stopped me. Some invisible wall I couldn't quite name had made me pull back, and I'd whispered that I wasn't ready yet.I'd expected disappointment. Maybe even frustration. But Nathan had simply kissed my forehead and said, "We have all the time in the world. I'm not going anywhere."That response had made me want to cry with relief. He respected my boundaries without making me feel guilty about them. After everything I'd been through with Kai – the rejection, the pain, the constant feeling of not being enough – Nathan's pat
Lily POVI stood quietly on the terrace, the cool evening breeze playing with the hem of my dress as I watched Nathan speak with Cordelia. The woman was animated, her hands moving expressively as she spoke, her voice carrying just enough for me to catch fragments of what sounded like an explanatio
Celeste"Liam?" I said softly, not wanting to startle him.He turned at the sound of my voice, and his face immediately brightened with a smile that made my stomach do somersaults. He rose to his feet instantly, gesturing toward the other chair."Please, sit," he said, ever the gentleman. As I sett
Lily POVI stood frozen outside Nathan's office door, my hand raised to knock but unable to make my knuckles connect with the polished wood. My heart was hammering so loudly in my chest that I was certain anyone passing by in the hallway could hear it. The embarrassment was so overwhelming that I
Celeste POVI stared at him in disbelief. "Pop Pop, my mother's instructions feel like punishment. 'Celeste, you're too fat. Celeste, don't eat that. Celeste, you should take better care of your skin. Celeste, why can't you be more like other daughters?'" I mimicked her tone perfectly. "I tried, Gr







