LOGINI woke to cold sheets and the hollow echo of a room that felt too large without him in it. The bed beside me was empty. The pillow still bore the indent of his head, but when I pressed my palm against it, the fabric was cold. He had been gone for a while.I sat up slowly, the silk sheets pooling around my waist, and looked around the chamber. The fire had burned down to ash. The balcony doors stood open, letting in a thin stream of pale morning light and the distant sound of bells. And Azriel was standing at the window, already dressed in his formal blacks and silvers, his back to me.He didn't turn when I stirred. He didn't acknowledge me at all."Azriel?""There is a hearing at midday." His voice was flat, formal, stripped of everything that had made it his the night before. "You are required to be there. We should prepare."I stared at his back. the rigid line of his shoulders, the way his hands were clasped behind him, the carefu
The court laughed. I felt my face heat, but I kept my chin high."Is that your attempt at humour?” I asked, my voice sweet as honey. "A fae prince with a bad sense of humor is hardly a challenge."Ryker's smile faltered. Azriel's hand shot out, gripping my arm slowly, a warning, or perhaps a thank you. We curtsied and left the throne room. The court's reaction to me was bad. But their reaction to Azriel was worse. They whispered as we passed, their eyes cold and their smiles wicked. They called him "half-breed" and "abomination" and "the cursed one." They spoke about him as if he wasn't there, as if he was already dead.And Azriel just... took it.He stood there, his face expressionless, his shoulders straight, and let them insult him. He didn't argue or even fight back. He just absorbed it, like a stone absorbs rain.I didn't understand. I didn't understand why he stomachs it or why he even came.Later, when we were alone in the corridor outside where our chambers were supposed to
The three-day journey was the worst I had ever endured. Not because of the cold, though the northern forests were bitter and unforgiving. Not because of the food, the dried meat, hard bread and fruits seemed like luxury when you’ve lived in somewhere like the orphanage. Not even because of the endless hours on horseback, which left my thighs aching and my back screaming in protest.It was because of Azriel. He rode ahead of me the entire journey, his back straight, his shoulders rigid and his face a mask of cold indifference. He didn't speak to me or even look at me. When we stopped to rest, he disappeared into his tent and didn't emerge until it was time to leave again. When I tried to catch his eye, he looked through me as if I wasn't there.The man who had held me in the forest, who had covered me with a blanket, who had looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered. He was gone. Replaced by the cold and arrogant prince I had first met in that bedroom.I didn't know what I
"Fatima," I hissed. "What the hell?" The ghost rose from the water. She didn't climb out, she simply emerged, her form flickering like a candle flame, her feet not quite touching the floor. Water dripped from her hair and clothes, but it vanished before it hit the ground, dissolving into mist."You didn't listen to me," she said, her voice echoing strangely in the small room. "I told you to run. I told you he would trick you. And what did you do? You went to the sanctuary. You performed the oath. You took the oath."I grabbed the towel and wrapped it around myself, my heart still pounding. “Well, your advice almost got me killed."Fatima's expression flickered. "What?""I was attacked by rogue wolves. I took your secret stairway, and when I was in the forest they were waiting for me. If Azriel hadn't shown up, I would have died." I stepped out of the tub, my bare feet slapping against the cold stone floor. "So forgive me if I'm not eager to take your advice again.""The wolves weren't
He was human again, naked, panting with his body slick with sweat and the black markings receding like shadows fleeing the dawn. He fell to his knees, then to his side, his chest heaving and his eyes closed.I caught him before his head struck the ground."Azriel," I whispered, pulling him into my arms. "Azriel, I'm here. I've got you."He didn't respond. But his breathing steadied, his heartbeat slowing, his body relaxing against mine.I held him there, in the middle of the forest, the guards and Lord Corwin watching from a distance, and I didn't let go.-———————We made it back to Azriel's pack in two days. We didn't stop for anything, not even food or to rest. And as someone who had grown accustomed to going to bed hungry many nights, I could endure two days of hunger, I knew there would be a feast waiting when we got to the castle. Azriel was unconscious and wrapped in blankets when we arrived, his face pale but peaceful. The fever had broken, his body finally resting after the o
The guards moved immediately, retreating to a safe distance, their hands on their weapons. Lord Corwin grabbed my arm, trying to pull me away."Lady Stasia, you must come with me.""No." I pulled free. "I'm not leaving him.""He's turning. You don't understand what he becomes..." "I understand perfectly." I met his grey eyes. "I've seen it before. And I'm not leaving."Azriel opened his eyes.They were red, bright, feral and inhuman. His horns had lengthened, curving back from his temples, and his fingers had become claws, digging into the leather of the reins. His lips pulled back from his teeth, revealing fangs that had grown long and sharp."Stasia." His voice was barely recognizable, a low and guttural growl. "Leave. Now.""No.""You don't understand." He was shaking, his whole body trembling with the effort of holding back the transformation. "When the curse takes over, I don't know what I'll do. I don't know who I'll be. I could hurt you... kill you..." "You won't.""You don't







