Chapter 68

Mira’s POV

This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.

I just stood there, frozen at the edge of Dominic’s bed, staring at his pale face, the chest that barely moved. He hadn’t said a word to me since he collapsed. Not even a flinch when I touched his arm, nothing when I bent down and whispered right into his ear like an idiot. Ghosted, basically, by a guy who couldn’t even open his eyes.

But Elora... he finds his voice for her.

“Elora,” he managed to croak, lips all dry, voice like he had swallowed sandpaper. Not my name. Not even close.

I was right there. I heard every syllable. I was relieved again and again till it hurt. I wanted to scream, shake him, grab his chin, and force him to look at me the way he used to, the way he swore he always would.

Instead, I swallowed my scream and made my plain face once more.

Can’t let them see me unravel. Not yet. Not while it matters.

“Fresh linens,” I snapped at the servant girl lurking by the door, arms hugging herself like she might disappear. She jumped so hard she almost dropped the basin. “And water for his lips. Or do I need to write you a damn instruction manual?”

Her hands shook as she set the bowl down, eyes wide. So easy to scare. Pathetic, really.

For a second, I wanted to chuck the basin at her head, just to see what fear looks like when it’s full-blown. But it was not worth the mess. I waved her out, watched the door close as softly as a sigh.

And then it was just me and silence.

I slumped into the chair beside Dominic, gripping the blanket so tight.

“You were supposed to be mine,” I muttered, voice just ugly with spite. “Even now, you should have called for me. Not her. Never her.”

But he kept breathing slowly and calmly like he couldn't care less.

Suddenly I was on my feet, my nails dug half-moons into my palm as I paced, fury buzzing under my skin. If he wouldn’t give me what I wanted, fine. She wasn’t getting it either.

Elora.

Always Elora.

The princess Luna, all gentle smiles and tragic eyes, was soaking up everyone’s pity. They thought she was strong. They thought she was worthy. But I knew she was soft, a weakness, and he was too blind to notice.

I would break her apart. Piece by piece until she was nothing left but a rumor.

I left the room and walked toward the corridor. The maids gave way for me like I was a plague. I even caught two of them whispering.

“...Luna Elora, she...”

Didn’t even get to finish, because I was there, grabbing one by the wrist.

“What about her?” I asked, real quiet, but squeezing her wrist hard enough to make her whimper.

“N-Nothing, Lady Mira...”

I twisted, just enough to hear something pop. “Lying to me? Wanna try that again?”

“She...she said not to disturb Alpha’s chamber,” the girl babbled, eyes huge. “She’d handle it herself, that’s all, I swear!”

I shoved her off, watched her stumble into the wall. Her friend yanked her away, both of them bolting down the hall like scared rabbits.

Good. Fear works better than any promise.

Still, their words chewed at me. Elora, always sticking her nose in, acting like she’s already got the Alpha’s mark. It wouldn’t last. Not if I had anything to say about it.

That night, I slipped into Dominic’s room again. Moonlight shining on the floor. He was breathing, barely. I leaned in, brushed his hair back.

“You’ll see, Dominic,” I whispered, my lips so close to his ear he would feel my breath. “When she falls, you’ll remember who never left. You’ll remember me.”

I kissed his temple. Nothing. Not even a twitch. That hurt more than I’d ever admit.

My fingers curled tight as I pulled away, mask cracking.

If I couldn't have his full love, then I would burn anyone who threatens me with it.

Elora’s POV

I slipped back into Dominic’s room way later than I’d meant to, arms full of herbs that still stank of the healer’s hut, smoky, sharp, with a hint of lavender that tried and failed to cover the waxy smell hanging in the air. The fireplace was just red. I walked slowly, hoping he would not wake up, even though I knew it was impossible.

Then I just stopped dead.

Mira was right there. By the bed, her hand on his chest. Her face hovered way too close to his. She muttered something I couldn’t hear, probably nothing good, then bent down, lips barely a hair from his. Was she about to kiss him? Again? I swear, my heart did a whole backflip.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted. Way louder than I meant to. Not sorry though.

She jerked upright, composure snapping back like she’d practiced it in the mirror. “Watching over him. Someone has to, since you’re off pretending to be Luna’s right hand or whatever.”

Honestly, I wanted to throw the herbs at her head. “Yeah? That’s weird, because the staff told me you were too busy to show your face today.”

For a split second, her cool act cracked. There it was, a flash of real annoyance, before she plastered on that too-sweet smile. “Guess they got their wires crossed.”

I dumped the herbs on the table by Dominic, my hand finding his. Warm, fragile. He didn’t stir. “I got it from here.”

She shot me a look so sharp it could’ve cut glass, all sugar on the surface. “Naturally,” she said, breezing past me. Except, not so breezy, her shoulder caught mine, hard enough to make a point.

I didn’t budge. Didn’t even blink. Just kept my hand on Dominic’s and mumbled something only I could hear until the door clicked shut.

She lied. No doubt. And you better believe I’d get to the bottom of it.