TWELVE

LIANI

I shield myself from the sun as it beams into my eyes. I hear the ocean waves crash against the shoreline and sand beneath my feet before I see a woman whose back is turned to me. I didn’t feel like she was dangerous, but I felt her pain. “H-hello?” I stutter softly, trying not to scare her. She turns to me in an instant and asks “You can see me?” I smile at her once I was able to see her face and knew that I was talking to the princess. Auburon’s sister, Layla. “Yes, I can see you.” I look around as I notice we’re on some type of beach and ask “Where are we?”

“The only place that brings me comfort,” she says as she turns her back to me. “This is where Aubie and I would run off to when we needed a break from the royal life.” A smile forms on her face as I walk up to the side of her. “His dumbass would always splash me in the face with water!” she yells still with a smile on her face. I chuckle at the memory as I envision my mate being… playful. From what I’ve seen so far, he’