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
Then I broke entirely, pressing my palm against my mouth to try to muffle the sound.I stumbled across the room and sank onto my bed. I wanted to scream, to tear the sheets, throw the glass cups on my desk, burn everything that reminded me of him.My cure, my victory, it all now felt meaningless wit
LoganI froze. My hand clasped around the weapon slung across my waist as I pushed myself to my feet as quietly as I could manage it. My eyes were trained forward at the dark parting between the trees where the noise had come from and where I knew she would be standing. Though my mind was sluggish
Logan“We need to find her.”Alex looked up at me, his brow creased in confusion. I had burst in without announcement, so quickly that not even the prince’s herald had time to precede my entrance.The prince set aside the letter he had been working on before leaning back in his chair. “I assume you
EvelynThe scent of crushed herbs clung to my hands and wafted around us, earthy and sharp, as I ground more into the mortar. Admittedly, I was just glad that the medical wing no longer smelled of blood. I did not miss the absence of pained groans either.My muscles ached from hours bent over the wo







