LOGINThe chamber doors burst open.The sound alone sent every maid jumping.Aramisius entered like a storm.His eyes found Aeryl immediately."My lord—""Leave."Nobody questioned him.Curtseys became hurried bows. Skirts rustled. The maids practically fled, shutting the doors behind them until the room fell into an oppressive silence.Aeryl barely had time to turn before he reached her.His hand closed around her wrist.Hard.She stumbled toward him."What were you doing there?" he snapped, his voice low but sharp enough to make the room feel smaller.Aeryl frowned, tugging against his grip."I am an adult."His expression did not change."I asked you a question.""And I answered it.""You disappeared.""I was with Lilah.""You disappeared.""I do not need permission to breathe."Something flickered behind his eyes.Not anger anymore.Something colder.His hand released her wrist only to catch a handful of her hair.Aeryl gasped.He drew her head back just enough that she had to look at h
Night ruled Ashmark.The kingdom never truly slept.Lanterns of crimson glass burned above narrow streets while music drifted from balconies and open windows. Laughter mingled with arguments, and perfumes hung thickly in the air like smoke.At the end of one winding street stood a black building with no sign above its doors.Everyone in Ashmark knew it.Nobody spoke of it.The doors opened.A woman stepped inside.She wore a dark cloak, its hood pulled low enough to conceal nearly all of her face.She paused.The room beyond glowed in deep red light.Silk curtains divided shadowed alcoves. Musicians played somewhere in the distance. Wine spilled freely. Bodies reclined on couches and carpets, talking, drinking, touching, laughing.Some people barely glanced at the newcomer.Others looked up for only a moment before returning to their amusements.The woman moved through the room like she belonged there.Not hurried.Not hesitant.Watchful.Always watchful.Her gloved hand briefly touch
Silence.Complete silence.Santos lay on the floor, dazed.Even the women at the doorway had stopped moving.Aramisius stood over his brother, chest rising once.Then twice.His fists remained clenched.Then he turned.And looked directly at Aeryl."Leave."The word cracked through the room.Aeryl flinched."No."His eyes narrowed."I said leave.""No!"The answer escaped before she could stop it.Several maids hurried toward the sisters immediately."My ladies—"Lilah didn't argue this time. She looked frightened enough to move.But Aeryl stepped around them.She looked at Santos.Then at Aramisius.Then back again."No."The room seemed to still.Aramisius stared at her.She stared back.One of the maids gently touched her arm."My lady, please…"Aeryl shook her off."No! You're angry and not listening!"She moved forward.The maids gasped.Lilah looked horrified."Aeryl!"She reached him.Actually reached him.She grabbed his arm."Listen to me first."He looked down at her hand.T
Both sisters stared through the narrow opening.Aeryl looked completely stunned and Lilah looked equally horrified."Oh...." Aeryl, muttered. A long silence ensued except for the wild smack of bodies and orgasmic bliss coming from within the room that was sheerly made of forbidden ecstasy."Oh," Lilah repeated. Aeryl slowly covered her mouth.Inside the room, Santos was speaking softly to the woman and torturously slamming his palm hard against her pinkened, stinging buttocks.Neither sister could hear the words anymore. Lilah suddenly grabbed Aeryl's hand."We should go back."Aeryl blinked."What?""We should leave.""But....""Now."Aeryl looked through the opening again."But he saw me earlier.""Exactly!"Aeryl frowned."Then perhaps we should let him know that I saw him too. Maybe knock?."Lilah looked at her in disbelief."Why would you do that?""So he doesn't think I'm hiding and he'd know I caught him twice and he'd know I know him now."Lilah looked even more horrified."No
Meanwhile, Aramisius was losing patience. His chambers had grown completely silent and the fire had burned lower.The stack of letters beside him had not moved for several minutes. Because he had read the same line three times.His eyes slowly lifted toward the clock.5:27.Silence remained. But his expression darkened.She was late. Very late.He leaned back slightly in his chair and wondered. Where could she possibly be?She did not know the castle well enough to wander alone. She feared half the corridors. And despite everything, she usually obeyed instructions eventually....Eventually.His fingers tapped once against the arm of his chair. Then again. And again. Still, there was silence. He looked toward the doors. Nothing.His jaw tightened with anger boiling from his blood.Another minute passed. Then suddenly...."Velveta."The word cracked through the room. No answer. His expression hardened."Velveta."Still nothing. The fire popped softly. That was enough for him to know th
The messenger was still waiting patiently outside Lilah's chambers. Aeryl paused and looked at her nervously.She then shut the door back quietly. "I really do need to meet Aramisius soon, I realize.""You do." Lilah agreed.Aeryl blinked."But first…" Lilah said, lowering her voice, "we must investigate fast. Remember you'll be leaving soon."Before Aeryl could protest, Princess Lilah opened the door again and spoke to the messenger."We'll be back shortly."And just like that, the messenger curtsied."Of course, my lady."And that was all. No questions. No objections. The woman simply resumed waiting.Aeryl stared in surprise. That was it?Lilah took her hand and started walking. Aeryl hurried after her."What?" Lilah whispered when Aeryl wouldn't look away from her."She just.… let us go.""Yes.""Just like that?""Yes."Aeryl looked over her shoulder. The messenger was still there, waiting. Not following. Not stopping or looking at them."This is strange."Lilah smiled."It gets
Senora’s eyes widened. And that was enough.mAeryl stepped back instantly. Way too fast, infact.The edge of her gown caught beneath her heel and her balance shook violently. Her hand slammed against the cold wall to steady herself. Then she slipped and fell out of hiding. Santos’ head snapped upwa
Chatters filled the grounds. ********But not all kingdoms opposed the union.In eastern mountain territories, several rulers remained cautious instead. One king spoke during a private gathering:“If the matebond is real, separating them may become catastrophic.”“And if prophecy awakens?”The ro
“It’s better to stay in the cage. Not everyone gets the chance to fly out and live.”Aeryl stilled.For the first time since she met him, he sounded tired in the middle of words that were absolute threats.The silence between them stretched quietly after his words. The fire crackled softly.Outside
Night settled heavily over the chamber and the fire crackled softly near the far wall, throwing flickering gold across the dark stone room. Aeryl lay quietly near the edge of the bed while Aramisius stared out the windows, one hand resting behind his back. The silence between them had become stran







