Tristan was gone when I woke up the next morning.The linens still carried his warmth, the faint scent of him clinging to the pillows, but his presence had slipped away with the early morning light. I blinked against the gold spilling through the tall windows, then sat up slowly, brushing my fingers over the empty space beside me like I could pull him back with touch alone.That was when I saw the note.Folded neatly on the bedside drawer, its edges crisp and unmoved by the wind slipping through the window. I reached for it with a strange softness, as if expecting the paper to carry his voice.Training ground. Don’t overthink. I’ll see you soon. —T.A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth despite everything twisting inside me. He always knew when I was overthinking—when something was brewing behind my quiet.I rose from the bed, body aching in places I didn’t want to think about, and padded barefoot to the closet.3 days to the fight, I have to make progress today, I have to st
I waited until his breathing slowed—until the rise and fall of his chest became steady and deep, his arms no longer gripping me with the same weight.Only then did I move.Carefully.I untangled myself from him, inch by inch, lifting his arm from my waist like it was spun glass. I slipped out from under the sheets, the cool air of the room brushing against my skin in sharp contrast to the warmth I’d just left.I didn’t look back back because I knew if I did—if I caught even a glimpse of Tristan’s sleeping form, the way his brow relaxed when he was wrapped around me—I’d turn back. I’d crawl back under the blankets and tell myself that tomorrow was good enough.But it wasn’t.Not with what I saw. Not with what I think I saw I pulled the dark robe I exchanged with my clothes, tighter around my body.The palace was silent, soaked in moonlight and shadows. Each torch on the wall flickered weakly. My feet were soundless against the stone as I retraced my earlier steps. Every turn, every co
The room felt warmer than the rest of the palace I’ve been walking around since I left.I don't know if it was the walls, the lighting, or just the way he was holding me—but something about it made my heart ease.He didn’t say anything at first. Just placed me gently at the edge of the bed, like I might break again if he let go too fast.His hands hovered—like he didn’t want to stop touching me, but didn’t know how to ask if he could stay close.And then he dropped to his knees.Right in front of me.I blinked down at him, unsure if the pounding in my head was louder than my heart.“I’m sorry,” he said, slowly, his eyes gauging for my reaction, probably checking if I'm still mad. . “I didn’t mean to make you feel like that. Like you were being traded, or displayed, or... like an item.”His brows pulled together, his jaw clenched. But his voice cracked a little when he said, “I wouldn’t survive it if I lost you.”I stared.I didn’t move. I couldn’t.He was really kneeling. I know the a
The room was dim, lit only by the flickering glow of something that shouldn’t have existed in a palace like this. The air inside felt… off. Heavy. Too warm for such a cold place. And thick, like it was laced with smoke or secrets or both.My feet didn’t move.Not even when my eyes landed on her.She was sitting on the ground, hunched just slightly, her back to me. And I don’t know how I knew—I just did—but I was looking at a witch.Her skin was green. Not sickly green, not olive or sallow. Green. Vivid and unnatural, like moss under moonlight. Her hair was pitch black and fell in waves down her back, and around her were symbols drawn on the stone floor—marks that pulsed softly with red light. My eyes zeroed in on the marks and my hands flew to my mouth when I realized the drawings on the floorAnd she continued was chanting.Over and over, in a language I couldn’t understand. Her voice was low, melodic, but it scratched at my ears like it didn’t belong in this world. I could barely he
I didn’t know when I yanked the door open—only that the moment it slammed behind me, the sound jolted down my spine. I kept walking. Fast. Each step felt like I was dragging the weight of everything I couldn’t say back there. My fists were balled tight, nails biting into my palms, but I didn’t stop.If I did, I’d scream.I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to leave that room. I don't like the thought of being itemized, it suffocates me. And Tristan—God, Tristan. I shouldn't have....I knew he was being reasonable but I just can't...not now I took a turn. Then another. The palace was too big, all tall halls and endless corners, lined with polished glass and things that probably cost more than my entire life. Not like I care anyway, I wasn’t even paying attention. I just kept walking like if I went fast enough, I’d leave all of it behind.Somewhere along the line, the anger started to fade. Not because I stopped being mad. But because the other thing caught up. That hollow, g
“What the hell was that?!”The door slammed behind me, rattling on its hinges. My voice ripped through the room like a whip, and Tristan turned slowly from the window where he stood, moonlight streaking his face in silver.He didn’t speak. Not immediately. Just stared at me, jaw hard, fists clenched at his sides.“I asked you a question!” I snapped, storming further into the room. My heart was thundering, my blood boiling. “You stood there, like—like I was some prize. Like you had no say! Like I had no say!”His eyes were glowing faintly now, gold bleeding into the green. The wolf was close, barely restrained. “I didn’t agree to anything, Jessica.”“You didn’t stop it either!”“You think I could’ve stopped it?!” he roared suddenly, his voice loud enough to shake something loose in my chest. “You think I had that kind of power in that room?!”I flinched, but only for a second. “You’re the Alpha!”“I’m not a god!” he barked. “And even if I was, I couldn’t change what centuries of law ha