Lord Camden’s jaw clenched, his ruddy cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. “You think we will just bow down to your terms? You think this is how things work?”“No,” I replied with a calmness that probably infuriated him more. “I think this is how things are going to work now.”“You son of a...”“I
He didn’t pull his hand away and that was enough.“I am not here to ask for permission,” I said, standing tall and letting my voice cut through the chamber like a blade. “And I don’t need any of you to believe me."Lord Alister’s lip curled. “The only fact here is that you are delusional.” “I am A
Adrien’s POV:The council chamber smelled of old wood, leather-bound books, and rotting pride. I could feel their disgusting stares before I even stepped through the doors. 'How would Kieran be feeling in there?' Just the mere thought of it gave me goosebumps. I need to protect him even if it makes
“And tell us, Your Highness,” Lord Ferand said with an amused tilt to his voice, “how exactly do you plan to secure foreign investors when you can’t even secure your own emotions?”The room chuckled.“Or perhaps your close friend Adrien could seduce one for you. He seems to have a certain... charm.”
Kieran’s POV:The large oak doors loomed in front of me like a gate to hell. For a second, I stood frozen outside the Council Chamber, my heart pounding so violently in my chest I swore they could hear it inside. My hands were clammy and my throat dry. I adjusted the collar of my coat and forced my
Kieran's POV:“Too late for that,” I mumbled. He finally looked up then. And for the first time in days, our eyes met. I froze. His eyes were red and glossy. And filled with so much guilt it made my chest ache. “I miss you,” he whispered. “I miss you so much it hurts.” I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. My throat was tight. “I haven’t been sleeping,” he admitted, sitting back on his heels. “I haven’t been eating properly. I can’t function, Kieran. Not without you.” “You should have thought about that before betraying me,” I muttered, but it didn’t sound half as cold as I wanted it to. He nodded. “I know.” Silence stretched between us. Heavy. Sharp and sad. I watched him carefully close the first aid box and stand up slowly. He didn’t say anything else. He just looked at me one last time, his face unreadable now. “Rest,” he said softly. “I’ll come check on you tomorrow.” The door closed quietly behind him. I sat there for a second, staring at the place where he stood just m