Author's POVAdam bowed and left swiftly, blending into the day like a shadow.That night, the palace slept under the illusion of peace.But beneath it, war brewed.Elara and Damian met in the secret passageway that led out of the palace walls. Dressed in black and moving in silence, they passed through dark tunnels carved centuries ago for escaping royalty.When they emerged from the other side, the moon was high, and the wind sharp.Elder Gregory’s mansion loomed ahead—ancient, grand, and shrouded in silence.One by one, the Elders arrived, ushered in with whispered greetings. They sat around the long mahogany table in Gregory’s council room, their expressions a mix of confusion and unease.They had not expected that the duo would be together especially as they were still seething from Lyra's enthronement. Elder Seraphina was barely holding back from storming out of the room, because of Damian's presence. But out of respect for Elara, she decided to stay back and listen to whatever
Author’s POVThe royal infirmary was quiet, the faint scent of herbs and ointment lingering in the air. Elara lay on the soft white mattress, her neck has been treated with a healing ointment and her robe replaced with a loose gown. Her body ached in several places, but the pain in her chest was unspoken, concealed and it was far worse.Damian stood by her bedside, his brows furrowed deeply. He hadn’t left her side since they arrived. He was kind of scared that the assassin might come back for her again if he left her for a minute.The doctor bowed and quietly left after ensuring her vitals were stable, leaving the two of them alone.Damian sat on the edge of the bed. His gaze drifted to her bruised neck, and something flickered in his eyes—pain, protectiveness, and something much deeper.“We can't wait anymore, Elara,” he said softly, but firmly. “We have to strike now. Or they might end up killing us.”Elara nodded slowly, her fingers curling around the sheets. She understood Damian
Author's POVBut just as the blade descended toward her chest, adrenaline rushed through her veins. Elara’s hand shot out blindly. Her fingers wrapped around the base of the flower vase on the nightstand beside her bed. With all the strength she could muster, she brought it crashing down against his skull.Crack!The vase shattered.The assassin staggered back with a hiss, and Elara screamed, her voice ripping through the silence.“GUARDS!”Heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway.Panicked, the assassin turned and bolted. He dove toward the window, smashing through it just as the door burst open.Damian and four guards charged in, weapons drawn. Two of the guards, jumped out of the window and chased after the assassin.Lyra was just a few steps behind, confusion written all over her face. “What’s happening?”Elara was on the floor, breathing heavily, her robe slightly torn, her fingers still trembling as she clutched the edge of the dresser.Damian rushed to her side, kneeling besi
Author’s POVDamian didn’t speak.Not a word.His jaw clenched, and his body tensed as he stared at Lyra standing in front of him, her eyes wide with concern, a twisted illusion of innocence plastered across her face. His fists, though healing, still ached from punching the iron door. But the pain in his hands was nothing compared to the storm brewing within.He could see himself grabbing her by the neck, yelling the truth in her face.“Lyra… you're a crazy bitch. You think I won't know that bastard belongs to Kael? Well, I know—and now you’ll regret ever crossing me. From now on, you’ll pay for all your crimes.”He imagined it vividly.He even pictured the way her expression would crumble. The way she’d break, cry, beg. The moment her world would collapse.Then in that same dark fantasy, he turned to the guards and said, coldly—“Throw her in the dungeon.”But none of that happened.Not yet.Instead, Damian remained silent.Lyra tilted her head slightly, her brows drawn in worry. Her
Damian's POVThe room stilled. The picture and paper fell off my hands. I don't know for how long l was out. Seconds? Minutes? It felt like eternity. Then my chest tightened with immense pain.The child I had looked forward to it's arrival is not mine? The same child that I have overlooked all her crimes for? Even when she killed Elara's baby, I acted blind to it all because I was waiting for her birth the baby safely before she pays for her crime.“No….. this can't be true, Elara,” I said, shaking my head frantically as though that would somehow deny the reality of what is unfolding before me. “It's true, Damian. That baby isn't yours.“My legs grew weak and I stumbled backward to the wall, then slid down and sat on the cold bare floor, my mind spiraling with unrestrained rage.Not only because the baby isn't mine. But because of how much she's manipulated with this baby. Because of this baby, the Rogue king manipulated me into releasing Kael for Ethan's murder even when he knew the
Damian's POV Elara…..Just when I was feeling burdened about everything she walks into my study and lifted the burden weighing down on me. She lights up the darkness in my world.I was beyond shocked when she talked about how I should stop blaming myself. How I'm a good person who is willing to right his wrong. And for some reason, I did feel light-hearted. I did feel better.Then when I asked about us, she said she doesn't really know. The uncertainty is better than those times that she'd tell it to my face that there was no us. It was better than she regretting to have ever loved me.I couldn't help but drop the tears I have been holding all these while. She even reached out and squeezed my hands reassuringly.“We might not be together after this.. but trust me Damian, you never lost me. We would still be friends and I will make sure to keep looking out for you,” she says.And those words gave me hope. We might not be together… we might not be meant for each other but we are defini