LOGINEvelynTwo Years LaterThe gardens outside the palace were alive with late-spring blossoms, their perfume carried on a gentle breeze to fill my nose, as my daughter’s laughter, bright and bubbling, carried across the lawn. I watched her reemerge into view, weaving through the rose bushes as she chas
Evelyn The throne room of my father’s palace had never looked so magnificent. Banners in silver and deep royal blue draped from the vaulted ceilings, fine designs embroidered into every piece of fabric. Torches burned in golden sconces, their flames reflected in polished marble floors. The air carr
Logan Two Months LaterThe room was awash with candlelight from the hundreds of candles lining the space. They collectively cast their amber glow on the stone walls, giving our surroundings a soft appearance.Laughter and music poured through the air, filling every corner with celebration. Tonight
LoganThe tavern was alive with laughter. It felt like everyone else there had something to celebrate as well.Around us floated the sound of clinking glasses and the scent of roasted meats wafting through the air. The scene was incredibly jovial and a far cry from the war councils and court politi
“He loves her,” I said quietly, though the words sounded fragile echoing against the empty walls of the throne room. “And you would punish him for it.”“Love is only worth so much,” my father said, the warmth of a moment ago gone. His eyes hardened. “A ruler must make decisions based on what is best
EvelynThe throne room always felt too large. It had been so long since I had been inside the vast, sprawling space, and even then, it had been filled with others for my brother’s princely coronation ceremony when he was fourteen. But now it was just us, my father and I. There weren’t even guards in
“Chris…” I began, but he cut me off with a small shake of his head.“Don’t worry,” he said softly, though his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I just wanted to ask. I wanted to test the waters and see… Well, see if you had a date to the ball.”His cheeks colored at the proposition. He was so boyi
All the tension between us broke like a dam. One kiss became another, and then I was in his arms, flush against his warmth. I let him undress me, entirely unaware of the cold now. I was warm in his arms, and my skin felt hot wherever he stroked. All of my clothes were immediately too tight and restr
Evelyn I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the attention. And it was exactly the reason I had worn the dress I did.When I had seen it among my other gowns, slipped behind the gaudier pieces made of tulle and various embellishments, I knew that the best way to get his attention was not to don
EvelynThe medical wing was quiet at this hour, the kind of silence that made every scratch of my pen and every creak of the chair sound thunderous. I rubbed at my eyes, trying to blink away the blur of exhaustion, but the stack of inventory logs loomed in front of me, demanding attention. Sleep wou







