Mag-log inMila’s POV“I can’t do this.”“You can.”“I really can’t.”“You really can.”I glared at Sera and she smiled sweetly from across the training yard, entirely too pleased with herself.The morning air was cool, carrying the scent of damp stone and flowering vines from the palace gardens. Demon warriors sparred in the distance, their swords clashing rhythmically as instructors barked orders.Personally I don’t know why they sparred not like anyone could attack them here.Meanwhile i was being tortured by Sera again and again. Vaelor stood a few feet away with his arms folded.His expression was as unreadable as ever. “We’re starting over.”I groaned dramatically. “We’ve already started over six times.”“And you’ll do it a seventh.”I pointed my wooden practice sword at him. “I think you enjoy watching me suffer.”“I enjoy watching you improve.”“Those sound suspiciously similar.”A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.Sera laughed outright. “I like this side of you, Mila.”“I
Knox’s POVThe corridors were quieter than usual. Most of the palace was still recovering from the previous night’s chaotic ball, leaving only guards and servants moving through the grand halls.Conrad walked beside me, his hands tucked behind his back.mNeither of us spoke.There was no need. We both knew exactly where we were going.“You’re certain?” I finally asked.Conrad nodded. “I’ve been watching him for months.”“And?”“He knows something.”“You sound very confident.”“I am.”We stopped outside a pair of enormous black doors. “This is his office.”I pushed the doors open. The room smelled faintly of parchment and candle wax.Shelves filled with books lined every wall and several scrolls lay scattered across a massive desk.Supreme stood beside one of the windows with a document in his hand. He didn’t even look surprised to see us.“Lord Vaelor.”He smiled politely. “Lord Kaelen to what do I owe this visit .”Conrad folded his arms. “We need to talk.”“I imagined you would.”Su
Mila’s POVThe palace had transformed overnight. Servants hurried through the corridors carrying silver trays piled high with crystal goblets and exotic fruits. Enchanted lanterns floated beneath the vaulted ceilings, casting warm amber light across the black marble floors. Every hallway smelled faintly of roses and sandalwood instead of smoke and ash.It was another strange banquet or as Sera had enthusiastically corrected me earlier… “A royal ball.”I stood in front of the mirror with my arms folded while two maids fussed over my hair.“I don’t understand why this takes three people.” I muttered “Because Lord Vaelor has excellent taste,” one of them replied with a smile. “I don’t think he picked this.” I said “He approved it.”I sighed dramatically. “That’s somehow worse.”Sera laughed from where she sat near the window.“You complain every time you’re dressed.”“I complain every time I’m forced into a dress I can’t breathe in.”“You can breathe.”“Barely.”The maids ignored me.
Knox’s POVThe courtyard was empty after she bolted away like lightning. I stood exactly where Mila had left me. The practice sword she’d dropped still lay on the stone floor.I stared at it for a long moment before bending down to pick it up. The metal was still warm from her touch.I let out a slow breath.“So close and yet so far”I had been so careful for over a year I’ve tried not to blow up this plan, I’ve tried not speaking like Knox.Never smiling too much and never calling her the nicknames only we shared. Never reaching for her when every instinct screamed at me to pull her into my arms.Yet…The mate bond had begun fighting against the disguise. She’d looked at me as though she’d seen a ghost.She didn’t know why and I was making her feel bad. I gripped the sword tighter.“Damn it.”Unable to contain the frustration building inside me, I swung my leg and kicked the air with enough force to create a burst of wind that scattered leaves across the training grounds.A few near
Mila’s POV“Mila wake up.” A firm voice cut through my sleep.I frowned and buried my face deeper into the pillow. “No.”There was a brief silence then the blankets disappeared and cold air immediately rushed over me.My eyes flew open. “Vaelor!”He stood beside the bed, already dressed in black training clothes with his arms folded.“It’s morning.”“I noticed.”“You’ve noticed nothing.”I glared at him. “The sun isn’t even up.”“There isn’t a sun in the underworld.”“Exactly.”I grabbed the blanket and pulled it back over my head. “So let me sleep.”A moment later, the blanket was tugged away again.I sat upright with a groan. “I’ve decided I don’t like you.”“I’ve gathered.”He tossed a folded set of clothes onto the bed. “Get dressed.”“Why?”“We’re training.”I stared at him. “I’m sorry?”“We’re training.”I blinked several times. “I don’t remember agreeing to this.”“You didn’t.”“So why are we doing it?”He looked at me as though the answer was obvious.“Because if someone chal
Mila’s POVThe moment Lady Vesper, the instructor, clapped her hands, the chatter inside the hall gradually died down.“Ladies,” she announced with a warm smile. “We’ve covered etiquette, household management and court protocol.”A collective sigh of relief spread through the room.I wasn’t the only one. Good.“Now,” Lady Vesper continued, “we’ll discuss one final custom before today’s gathering ends.”I leaned toward Sera. “Please tell me it’s about desserts.”She smiled into her teacup. “I’m afraid not from the books I’ve read.”I slumped in my chair. “Of course.”Lady Vesper gestured for everyone to listen. “As noble ladies, it is important to understand courtship traditions.”Several women immediately straightened.Some even looked excited. I, on the other hand, wished I could quietly disappear beneath the table.“The demon realm has always valued strength.”She paced slowly across the front of the room.“Because of that, affection alone has never determined who stands beside a no
Mila’s POVThe dungeon smelled like damp stone and sweat.The moment they threw me inside the cage, the iron door slammed shut with a finality that echoed far deeper than the sound itself.I let out a fustrated groan and kicked the doors, Bastian was so evil for making me go through this.The momen
Mila’s POVThe sound of Knox’s roar still echoed in my bones, I had to stop physically restrain myself so I wouldn’t run out that door.Everything that had once felt controlled, powerful, untouchable… had shattered into grief and chaos.The grand hall no longer looked like a place meant for celebr
Knox’s POV“Call the healer!”My voice tore through the hall, sharp and raw, but it felt like it wasn’t loud enough.Nothing felt loud enough because my mother was dying in front of me.Blood spilled from her lips as she coughed again, her body trembling under my hands. I dropped to my knees beside
Knox — POVWhen I got the invitation for the council meeting i already expected the worst.Things escalated and now I had to face the council.I stood at the head of the council chamber, my hands braced against the long oak table, staring at the ten seats that now felt like a battlefield of their o







