PROLOGUE: THE REJECTIONS

Sofia

The Moonveil Gala glittered like a fantasy spun from gold and lies.

Every detail screamed perfection—the chandeliers that shimmered overhead like crystal constellations, the gowns that flowed like rivers of silk, the laughter that curled through the air like perfume. But none of it touched me.

I stood in the center of it all, wrapped in crimson satin, my body still but my heart pounding behind the armor I wore too well.

This night was supposed to be mine.

My return. My victory. My moment.

Instead, I watched Leo Devereaux stand at the top of the grand staircase, hand in hand with the woman who should never have been in my world, much less in his arms.

Althea Moreau.

She was still wearing department-store elegance like it was royal silk. Still looking up at him with that wide-eyed innocence that made me want to rip my champagne flute in two.

Leo raised his glass.

“To the woman who taught me what love truly is... who reminded me that strength isn’t in bloodlines, but compassion.” His eyes softened as he looked down at her. “To Althea.”

Applause erupted like thunder around me. Glasses clinked. People smiled. A perfect scene. But my ears rang, like I was underwater, sinking.

My stomach twisted. He said compassion was like a badge of honor. As if choosing her over me made him noble. As if ripping my heart out was an act of mercy.

I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t give them that.

But I could feel the cameras catch my frozen smile, the slight narrowing of my eyes. The world would be dissecting my heartbreak before the champagne could settle.

I turned to leave, heels slicing across marble, aiming straight for the exit—but collided with someone hard.

He didn’t budge. And the air suddenly felt... colder.

“You’re leaving already?” a deep, familiar voice murmured.

I looked up into Theo Laurent’s icy stare—Leo’s best friend, the infamous Laurent heir. A royal blood, high command, zero soul. The man had all the charm of a glacier and twice the sharpness.

“What, hoping I’d cause a scene?” I snapped.

“No,” he said, his smirk slight. “Just surprised you didn’t.”

I forced a smile, thin and sharp. “I’m saving it for something that counts.”

Theo tilted his head slightly. “You always were dramatic.”

“And you were always invisible.” I looked him over. “Still hiding in Leo’s shadow?”

“Not anymore.”

His tone was cool, but there was something else there. Something broken. I followed his gaze as it shifted to Leo and Althea. It lingered on her.

Realization struck like lightning.

“Oh,” I breathed. “You loved her.”

His jaw twitched.

“How long?” I asked, eyes narrowing.

“Too long.” He looked away, jaw clenched. “Long enough to know she never even looked at me like that.”

My heart gave a painful twist. For one breath, I saw him—not the predator, not the ice prince, but a man who’d lost something he never even got to hold.

“We’re the discarded ones now,” I murmured.

He looked back at me. “Quite the pair.”

We stood in silence for a beat too long. I don’t know what got into me. Maybe it was the fire in my blood. Perhaps it was pride. Maybe the moon was hanging too full and red outside that glass dome.

But I turned to him and said, “Let’s ruin their night.”

Theo raised a brow. “You want to what?”

“You and me,” I said, stepping closer. “Fake it. Pretend we’re together. Give them something to choke on.”

He stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

I smiled. “You want to sit around and mope, fine. But I’m not leaving this party as a joke.”

“You want me to be your fake boyfriend,” he said flatly.

“Only if you can act.”

He looked me over, then chuckled. “And what do I get out of it?”

“A distraction. Attention. Maybe even protection when the Elders ask why Leo’s pet is suddenly off-limits.”

“You’re insane,” he muttered.

“Maybe. But you’re bored.” I let the silence hang between us. “And hurt.”

He sipped his drink. “You don’t pull punches.”

I stepped even closer. “Neither do you.”

Another beat. Then he tilted his head, eyes gleaming with interest. “Fine. But if we’re doing this, we’re doing it right.”

His hand lifted to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers brushed my cheek, too soft for the cold reputation he wore.

I tried not to react. Failed.

“That means touching,” he murmured. “That means eye contact. Whispered secrets. A kiss—eventually.”

I smirked. “You’re enjoying this.”

“A little.”

He looked over his shoulder. Leo was watching us now. So was Althea. Perfect.

I turned toward Theo and smiled wide enough to make the room wonder. “Ready to play, Ice Prince?”

He offered his arm. “Lead the way, Princess.”

I took it. Let the whispers start. Let the vultures circle.

Tonight, they thought I had lost. They had no idea.

Because when I looked up at the blood-red moon above us, I felt something stir under my skin. A pull, a warmth, a burn.

Not heartbreak.

Power.