THREE

The gala dragged on in a blur.

By then, the heavy silence had lifted, replaced by lively music that soon filled the hall with laughter, and little by little, the noise grew again.

However, it never changed the assessing and scrutinizing eyes fixed on Lillia.

After she sat, the herald continued, calling family after family, who would come forward with gifts to pay respects.

Amid the celebration, music and dance filling the room with melody and colour, Regaleon stood abruptly. Without a word or as much as a glance in her direction, he turned and walked away, dark silk brushing the obsidian steps as though she were no more than a necessary engagement he needed to get over.

The effect was immediate.

Whispers rose beneath the music, Lillia felt them before she heard them. The shift in attention, the sharp increase in scrutiny. A foreign bride abandoned at her own joining celebration.

During this time, it was clear to Lillia that their initial very respectable smiles, bows and gifts were meant for Regaleon.

She straightened slowly, lifting her chin by a fraction. If the sudden shift affected her, she did not show it. Her pulse thundered, fury threading through her veins, but her face remained composed.

She had survived betrayal, death even. So this—this was nothing.

When the evening finally waned. Lillia slipped through the high-arched corridors back to her chambers. Behind her were her maidens. Although the disdainful expressions had vanished, they still walked with measured steps. A deliberate and silent reminder of respect but also an unwelcoming distrust.

She paused, letting the chill night air brush her face, as the thought of Regaleon settled in. Why did he suddenly leave? How could he embarrass me in such a manner? Lillia exhaled slowly.

You belong to me. You don’t get to die, not when I haven’t finished using what you represent. You will smile, and you will stand beside me as my queen.

Unbelievable.

Lillia gritted her teeth as a pang twisted through her chest, sharp as the wind that carried the scent of pine and stone.

“Totally unacceptable.” Fenris’ voice cut in, sharp and fierce. Her sudden presence startled Lillia, who had not completely adjusted to having her wolf so close.

Her steps slowed for the briefest moment. Not here, she thought sharply. Not yet.

Lillia glanced sideways, catching the dim figures of her handmaidens. She may have them in control and pretentious respect, but she knew they were not loyal to her.

If anything, they reported her every move, words and actions to Regaleon. So, until she had their full respect and loyalty, she needed to be careful.

Fenris huffed. “He disrespected you. Left you exposed. That’s not the act of one who values his mate.”

You mean consort, Lillia thought. This marriage was not out of love. This body is nothing but a tool for him to use and dispose of.

Memories of Pete, Poppy and Clearwater flashed through her mind at that thought. She lifted her gaze toward the sky, catching the glow of the full moon that bathed her hair in a silver glow.

Just like she was disposed of. Like the day her father died. It was on a night like this, a full moon.

“It is a beautiful night.” Lillia smiled, not feeling the usual torture she endured every full moon, and taking the maidens, who had definitely witnessed what she had just endured in the great hall, by surprise. “I think I will stay out for a little while longer.”

“Yes… my lady.” The head-maiden answered immediately.

Someday, you will sit where I sit, my little star. With the one who will also love, and choose you forever. Just like your mother and I. Lillia breathed as a sad smile graced her lips.

I’m sorry father. I failed you. Pete didn’t choose me, he killed me. Her heart hollowed, as she gently placed a palm on her abdomen.

For a moment, silence hung with the gentle breeze that caressed her hair, and Lillia sunk deeper into thoughts.

Then—suddenly—

“Lillia, something’s wrong.” Fenris stirred within her, a low growl vibrating through her consciousness. It pulled Lillia out of her daze instantly. “Someone is watching us.”

Lillia stilled, her silver eyes darting across the terrace as hairs on her neck stood, alert, muscles tightening instinctively. She couldn’t see anything or anyone, but could feel it. A gaze so intense that it locked her body in place.

Her pulse quickened as the shadows at the edge of her vision shifted with the wind, stretching and collapsing like living things. Cold shivers crawled up her spine.

Then memory struck; the full moon glaring down like an indifferent witness. The burning in her lungs. The weight of guilt crushing her chest as she ran while others died screaming behind her. Thorns tearing into her skin. Roots tripping her again and again as if the earth itself wanted her dead.

She recalled the fall, the pain, the silence that followed, and her breath hitched violently.

Lillia’s fingers dug into the cold stone railing as her body trembled under the heavy weight of trauma. The world narrowed, and sounds dulled. For a heartbeat, she was back there; bleeding, hunted, breaking.

“Breathe,” Fenris urged softly. “You’re not there anymore.”

Lillia shut her eyes. She managed a slow inhale. Then another, until her body calmed. However, just then, a voice echoed from the shadows behind her as a presence emerged.

“Seemed like it was all a facade, consort.”

The maidens stiffened, bowing immediately as his face appeared under the dim moon glow.

Lillia did not turn. Her eyes remained shut until the all too familiar scent of leather and ash invaded her senses. She still could not figure out the deeper scent, but she found it appealing.

“You left.” She said, turning slowly to face him. Perhaps it was because it was night, and she couldn't see his imposing gaze, but she felt less threatened by his presence.

Regaleon paused.

He turned slightly towards the maidens, who immediately bowed and left, before he took Lillia’s gaze again.

This time, he moved like he owned the night, dark hair loose, black tunic unfastened at the throat. His dark eyes reflected no light at all as he approached her slowly, stopping only a few paces away.

For a moment, he watched her in silence. He could see her white-knuckled grip on the stone, her defiant eyes gleaning with her soft moon-kissed hair cascading down her shoulders. He could still feel the softness when he had carried her bloodied body.

She felt different. Even if she looked the same, as if the person that survived that fall wasn't the same that took it. How could she have survived such a fall? How could she have changed overnight?

Amusing.

“I don’t answer to you,” Regaleon’s lips lifted as he studied her. “You seemed to be handling yourself quite well. It must have been… overwhelming.”

Lillia lifted her head. Her breathing was still uneven, and her heart still racing, but her spine straightened as she met his deep gaze without flinching.

“I survived death,” she replied quietly. “Your hall doesn't scare me.”

Regaleon raised a brow. “You think strength is sitting still and enduring a few stares? You’re weaker than I thought.”

Lillia’s hands clenched. At that moment, she could feel Fenris’ rage tearing at the edge of her mind, but as she opened her mouth to speak, he cut her.

“But,” Regaleon moved again, his heavy footsteps nearing. “You are looking at me. You speak differently.”

Lillia’s heart pounded, and the tearing in her mind began to hurt. With every nearing step, his scent grew heavier, overwhelming her senses even more, and sending Fenris on a rampage. A mixture of rage and fear engulfed her body, vibrating heat until she could barely breathe.

Her palms clenched even more tightly on the stone railings, as her body froze beneath his gaze. Regaleon stopped inches away from her, and his gaze dropped as he leaned closer to her face, his gaze meeting hers more intently.

“And,” he added softly. “You smell different.”

Lillia could feel her heart in her ears now. She reacted on impulse, unclenching hands to shove him again, but this time, he was faster.

Regaleon closed the distance completely, grabbing both hands, and holding them in place as his other free hand came down beside her head, palm braced against the stone railing as he leaned in, trapping her between his body and the wall. His face hovered near her neck, breath warm against her skin as he inhaled slowly.

Lillia’s stomach twisted with revulsion. She shoved at his chest hard.

“Don't—”

He caught her wrist mid-motion, fingers locking around it with unyielding strength. Not painful but firm. Their faces were inches apart now. Eyes staring deeper, body heat rising. Lillia’s breath escaped in short gasps, hitting Regaleon’s face softly as her chest rose and fell heavily.

However, just as Lillia mentally prepared herself for the worst, Regaleon paused, his expression changing instantly from amusement to disgust. He lifted his gaze and stepped back.

“Don't what?” He lifted a brow with indifference clearly visible in his expression. “Do you really think I’d waste a second on you, consort?”

Relief washed over Lillia instantly as Regaleon backed away. “Good, I do not want to be in your bed either. I’d rather train to become a warrior than be a pretty face meant only for bedding and birthing purposes.”

Regaleon laughed.

“You? Train?” Without another word, he turned on his heels, but before he could disappear into the shadows, Lillia stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Then train me. I will prove it to you.”