เข้าสู่ระบบBy the time Kael and Harlan rounded the corner, the black SUV was already waiting for them, engine humming low. The driver, one of his warriors, nodded once from behind the wheel as Kael approached.He got into the passenger seat, while Harlan took the back, and with that, they drove off, another car with few warriors in it, following right behind them. Trees loomed on either side, their branches arching overhead like a natural tunnel as they drove past. Harlan glanced at Kael once, then out the window, his fingers drumming a slow rhythm on his knee. He knew how triggering a topic like framing and betrayal was for Kael. It was one of the things he hated, and now it had come back. Soon, they hit the Nightwind border as full dusk settled, the sky a bruised purple with the sun's glow reduced to a thin line on the horizon. Headlights from both sides illuminated the meeting point: a cluster of five figures already waiting. Guards flanked an elder, their postured rigid but weapons lowere
As soon as Morvienne finished dressing, slipping into a simple gown that hugged her recovering frame just enough to make her feel put-together, she turned to Kael with a quick nod. He held the door open for her, his hand brushing the small of her back as they stepped out together.Maids moved about their evening routines as they walked down the stairs, some carrying trays of food, others wiping down surfaces, and many more. Their eyes flicked to Kael first, respectful and quick, then lingered a beat longer on Morvienne, curiosity mixing with something else, probably approval.Morvienne caught one of the older maid's glance, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth before the woman hurried on.Walking out through the main doors, the evening air greeted them like a gentle exhale. It was cool against her skin, carrying the scent she always craved for. Morvienne closed her eyes for a second, tilting her face up as a light breeze tugged at loose strands of her hair, lifting them
The following days passed with Kael always by her side, his presence a constant, reassuring warmth in the quiet confines of his room. He hovered near her whenever she stirred, his strong hands always ready to support her elbow if she so much as shifted on the bed. When she reached for a glass of water, he'd beat her to it, lifting it to her lips with a steady grip, his eyes locking onto hers until she took a sip and nodded her thanks. And just like that, her belongings began to move into his space bit by bit, a pair of her slippers, a small vial of her favorite scent, her clothes, and many more. Kael wouldn't let her lift a finger for anything strenuous. Even meals became like intimate rituals where he would sit beside her on the bed, cutting fruits into bite-sized pieces and holding them to her mouth, watching her chew and also joining her to eat them as they talked about so many things. At night, his eyes would flutter open at the slightest hitch in her breath, his hand slidin
Coming out of the bathroom and walking toward the bed, Kael's eyes sought Morvienne out immediately, locking onto her form nestled against the pillows, her chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm that eased the knot in his gut. He stopped and stood at a distance for some minutes, drinking in the sight of her—pale but peaceful, the earlier tears leaving only a subtle sheen on her cheeks."...Hope you're not crying anymore," he said calmly, walking to reach her. He paused at the bedside, his gaze tracing the delicate lines of her face with meticulous care, and lingering on the curve of her lips. His hand twitched at his side, as if resisting the urge to reach out just yet. "And if it hurts, tell me. I'll get the healer here immediately."Morvienne's head tilted ever so slightly on the pillow, a gentle shake that sent a loose strand tumbling across her forehead. Her lips curved into a small, tentative smile, the kind that lit her eyes with a spark of warmth despite the lingering fatig
Morvienne's gaze lifted to meet his with a haze of confusion softening the edges of her vision. Her brows knit together faintly, a small furrow forming between them as she tilted her head just a fraction against the pillow.The movement sent a dull ache radiating through her shoulder, but she ignored it, her lips parting on a hesitant breath. "What... is it?" she murmured, her voice a fragile whisper that trembled at the edges, laced with uncertainty. Her eyes roamed his face, tracing the tight set of his jaw. "What—" she swallowed softly, "what did I do?"Kael held her stare for a long moment. Then, without a word, he pushed himself up from the edge of the bed, the mattress shifting under his weight with a soft creak. His hand extended toward the bowl, water sloshing faintly inside as he lifted it."Rest," he said quietly, his tone even, almost detached, though a subtle roughness edged the word. "I'll be back."He started walking toward the bathroom, the first step pulling him away
It was strange, yes— but not enough to hold his attention for long."Some kind of oil, perhaps. Medicinal," he thought. "Or something she used for herself." A quiet breath left him, and without another thought, he set the bottle back where he had found it, his attention shifting back to getting the dresses. He picked out another one that looked just as good as the first, even softer, thinner, and easier to slip on without causing her pain. "Good," he muttered. Without another glance at the bottles, he turned and left the room.Warm air met him first as he walked into his room, followed by the faint scent of clean water and damp cloth. The room was still, calm—but not empty. Lina stood near the bed, her hands clasped lightly before her, and her gaze fixed on Morvienne. Concern was clear on her face, her brows slightly drawn, and lips pressed together as though holding back worry she did not dare voice aloud.At the sound of the door, she turned quickly. Relief flickered across her
She walked back and stepped inside quietly, making sure her face looked normal. And as she left the kitchen, walking to where the shout had come from, she saw them—Kael and Sevrin, both standing close to the mansion's entrance, the air around them quite tense. Sevrin's face was full of frustratio
"Mmmm... Mhmm, Mmm..." Morvienne hummed as she put her hand under the running water in her bathroom."Mhmmm...mmm..."Her right hand was slick with dark, sticky blood, streaked across her fingers and palm, the water flowing out of the sink, red and messy.While still humming, she grabbed the soap c
Morvienne's back was pressed lightly against the cold wall of the secluded passageway, her heart beating loudly as she tried to calm down and stop panicking, while the person still kept his hand over her mouth to make sure she wouldn't scream."Okay," he said quietly, his voice low. "I will let go
"Can't I visit an old friend?" Sevrin asked with a confident smile as if the tension in the room did not exist."We both know friends are far from what we are," Kael answered. "And your time of visitation is no surprise to me. You always do things the wrong way, and I will let you know that your co







