EDINA POVI woke to warmth.Not the kind that seeped from thick blankets or a sunbeam pushing past the curtains—but a gentler kind. The kind that told you it was early morning, that time had passed quietly while you lay cocooned in dreams you could barely remember.Only, I remembered everything.The nightmare. The pain. The scream.And him.Baelorin.Even now, the memory of his arms around me lingered like heat pressed into my skin. I hadn’t imagined it. I knew the way it felt when he held me—too firm, too careful, like he didn’t want to admit he cared. But he did. He’d been there. He'd been here.So why wasn’t he now?I stirred beneath the sheets, blinking as the soft light of dawn filtered into the room, pale and gold. The shadows were long, the air still cool against my skin, but there was a softness in the light that hadn’t been there before. Morning, then.The bed was empty.He hadn’t stayed.I sat up slowly, back pressed against the carved headboard, pulling the sheets around me
EDINA POVFeena sat at the table in a lilac-purple dress, soft silk draped over her slender frame. Delicate. Beautiful. A book rested in one hand, a drink in the other—tea or wine, I wasn’t sure. Probably wine, knowing how these fae worked.I walked toward her slowly and took the seat opposite hers. She looked up briefly, offered me a small smile, then went right back to reading.“Hi,” I offered awkwardly.“Hi,” she replied, her green eyes meeting mine. Too familiar. Too much like his. I looked away quickly.“I’m, uh…” I tucked a few strands of my own messy blonde hair behind my ear and sighed. “I’m sorry about last time. I wasn’t… nice.”Her smile widened. “Thank you. And honestly, I understand. All of this has to be hard for you. I didn’t take it personally.”She set her book aside and exhaled softly, like she’d been holding her breath waiting for me to just come around. “I’ve been hoping you’d talk to me.”I smiled back. Something about her felt easy. Kind. I would’ve been furious
EDINA POV"I'm sensing you're not really in a good mood," Baelorin said casually, swirling his wine as he watched me from across the long dining table.I didn’t reply. Just cut into the piece of meat on my plate grudgingly.He leaned back, unbothered as ever. “I mean, I thought being out of that dreadful wedding dress might’ve lightened your mood a bit.”Still, silence.Because I was angry. At everything. At everyone. At Maerwynn, for lying to me. At Rhaenan, for still looking at me like I was something breakable. At Baelorin—because… just because.Then, the memory hits me like a slap.The raven.The fucking raven. Watching me from the window while I bathed. While I stood naked and dripping with water and roses.I feel the flush crawl up my neck and settle hot in my cheeks.“Huh,” he muttered, lifting his goblet with an infuriating smirk. “At least I get a blush. Progress.”I grit my teeth, glaring harder at the mutton on my plate. If I stabbed it one more time, it might qualify as a
MAERWYNN POVI ran my fingers over the lapels of my green dress, willing the cold to flee from me. It wasn’t even that cold out. But sometimes the air in Lyria felt heavier—like it knew what we were about to do and didn’t approve.“It’s going to be a two-day journey to the Celestial Court,” Caelora was saying, her wings tucked gently behind her as she pulled on her gloves. “Two days of cramped carriages and stiff legs.”I huffed a dry laugh. “You say that like it’s worse than sneaking into the Eclipse Room.”She grinned. “It’s a different kind of torment.”Behind us, the final preparations were being made in the courtyard. Three carriages stood lined and gleaming, polished silver wheels catching the morning light. The horses—sleek and alert—were being fitted with ceremonial harnesses.Guards paced near the gates. Woven baskets filled with enchanted scrolls, bottles of twilight wine, and wrapped bundles of fresh moonvine flowers were being loaded into the first carriage. Gifts for the
EDINA POV"You look paler than usual. Are you alright?" Mae asked with a pinched brow, her eyes studying me carefully.I nodded as I picked at my vegetables."Baelorin didn’t hurt you, did he?" Maerwynn asked."No, he didn’t… he’s not like that." I sighed and grabbed my goblet, drinking a good amount of water. Honestly, I didn’t know what to believe Baelorin was anymore. "I’m just tired. I’m fine."She nodded and focused on her food again."We’ve informed the Celestial Court of our arrival tomorrow.""You’re going somewhere?" I asked, pausing mid-sip to stare between Maerwynn and Valen. I didn’t know where the rest went, but it was just us three having dinner.Maerwynn sighed. "Yes, we’ve received a welcome from some courts about visiting and informing them about the war.""So you’re trying to form alliances.""Yes, it’s probably for the good," Valen said. "Kyante is making her move, and fast.""Edina," Maerwynn said. "Is there anything you can tell us about Kyante, being that you sta
EDINA POVHow I managed to wear the same gown for five days was beyond me.The wine stain had long since dried, now a sour blotch near the hem. The fabric clung to my skin, heavy with dust and old sweat, and my hair—gods, my hair felt like it could snap off in strands. I hadn’t taken a proper bath since the wedding day, which felt like a dream someone else had lived.But I kept the dress on.Maybe it was rebellion. Maybe it was grief. Maybe I didn’t know who I was without the weight of that silk and guilt dragging me down.Today marked the first time I’d be returning to the Twilight Court since Baelorin claimed his Absolute and took me away.I heard voices echoing from the hallway as I stepped out of my room—low, tense, male voices.I followed them.Rhaenan’s voice rang out first. “We leave at once. I don’t want to stay here longer than I have to.”He sounded strained. I stepped closer.He was standing in the hall with Baelorin, the two locked in what looked like a heated—but restrain