LOGINThat evening, once the visitors had finally taken their leave and the palace had settled into a quieter rhythm, Gianna found herself unable to remain still any longer. She had rested for most of the day, drifting in and out of sleep between feedings, but as the sun began sinking toward the horizon, a restless energy stirred within her, a longing for air, for space, for something beyond the four walls that had held her for the past day and night."I want to go outside," she said, already carefully shifting herself upright in bed, cradling little Luna against her chest with practiced care despite how new this responsibility still felt.Nolan looked up from where he'd been quietly reading through some council correspondence, his expression immediately shifting into concern. "Gianna, you only gave birth yesterday. Perhaps you should rest a little longer.""I've rested enough," she said, though gently, appreciating the worry behind his words even as she waved it aside. "I want to see the m
Twenty-four hours passed before Gianna finally opened her eyes again, the world slowly coming into focus around her, blurry shapes gradually sharpening into familiar faces. Nolan sat closest to the bed, his eyes red-rimmed with exhaustion, though the moment she stirred, he leaned forward instantly, his hand finding hers.Beyond him, she could make out Elmund and Selene standing near the wall, both of them watching her with visible relief. Her father sat in a chair nearby, his own face pale and drawn, and the doctor stood at the foot of the bed, adjusting something on his medical tray.Everyone in the room seemed to be watching her like hawks, waiting for the slightest sign of movement, and when her eyes finally opened fully, a collective breath of relief seemed to pass through them all at once.The first thing Gianna did, before even acknowledging any of them, was look down at her own stomach.Flat.The realization hit her all at once, memory rushing back in fragments, the pain, the p
Twenty-four hours passed before Gianna finally opened her eyes again, the world slowly coming into focus around her, blurry shapes gradually sharpening into familiar faces. Nolan sat closest to the bed, his eyes red-rimmed with exhaustion, though the moment she stirred, he leaned forward instantly, his hand finding hers.Beyond him, she could make out Elmund and Selene standing near the wall, both of them watching her with visible relief. Her father sat in a chair nearby, his own face pale and drawn, and the doctor stood at the foot of the bed, adjusting something on his medical tray.Everyone in the room seemed to be watching her like hawks, waiting for the slightest sign of movement, and when her eyes finally opened fully, a collective breath of relief seemed to pass through them all at once.The first thing Gianna did, before even acknowledging any of them, was look down at her own stomach.Flat.The realization hit her all at once, memory rushing back in fragments, the pain, the p
By the time the carriage rolled to a stop outside the doctor's residence, Gianna could barely think past the waves of pain crashing through her body. Each contraction seemed to build on the last, leaving her breathless and trembling, her fingers digging so tightly into Nolan's arm that she was certain she must be leaving bruises, though he never once complained.He carried her inside himself, refusing to wait for anyone else to assist, his long strides carrying them both through the doorway where the doctor and several nervous-looking assistants were already waiting, having been alerted by a rider sent ahead from the wedding grounds."Lay her down here," the doctor instructed, gesturing toward a prepared bed in the back room, clean linens already spread across the mattress.Nolan set her down as gently as he could manage, though even that small movement sent a fresh wave of pain tearing through her, and she cried out, gripping the sheets beneath her."Nolan," she gasped, reaching blin
The day of Elmund and Selene's wedding arrived bright and warm, and Gianna woke early, already buzzing with excitement despite her advanced pregnancy. Nolan watched her from across the room as she moved about, trying to dress herself despite her bump making the task increasingly difficult."Please," he said, coming to help her with the laces she couldn't quite reach, "just stay calm today. You're almost due, Gianna. I'm asking you to take it easy.""I'll be fine," she said, waving off his concern. "It's a wedding, Nolan. Not a battle."He sighed, clearly unconvinced, but knew better than to argue further. He'd learned by now that trying to slow her down rarely worked, especially when something excited her this much.Her dress was a soft, flowing lavender gown, beautiful despite the way it clung to her rounded belly, making her condition impossible to hide. She didn't mind at all. If anything, she wore it proudly, one hand resting instinctively against the curve of her stomach as they
Gianna could hardly contain her joy at the news. She reached for Selene's free hand, squeezing it tightly, her smile stretching wide across her face."I'm so happy for you both," she said, glancing between Elmund and Selene. "Truly. Elmund, you're finally going to start a family of your own instead of running around after Nolan like some loyal shadow all your life."Elmund laughed, a rare, easy sound that Gianna had come to appreciate more and more over the past weeks. "I served him well," he said. "But I agree it's time for something new.""I love this," Gianna continued, her eyes bright. "I want to see everyone I care about grow and move forward, each in their own way. This kingdom feels different now, and I think it's because so many of us are finally allowed to simply live."Selene beamed at her, clearly touched by the sentiment, before shifting the conversation toward more practical matters."I'm going for my dress fitting tomorrow," she said. "There's a designer just outside the
Chapter OneThe gates swung open at dusk. Gianna heard the patrol return before she saw it – boots on gravel, wolves shifting back to skin, the familiar chaos of Valemont's warriors coming home.She was standing on the upper terrace with a glass of wine when she saw Cyrus walk through the main ga
Gianna turned around slowly.Nolan was still standing by the window, his expression unreadable in the firelight."You found him," she said."I did.""Who was it?""A council member named Broderick. He holds a seat in the lower chamber and oversees trade regulations for the outer markets."Gianna fr
Gianna dressed quickly, pulling on a dark cloak that would help her blend into the night.She was halfway down the stairs when Cyrus appeared.He stood at the bottom, watching her descend with narrowed eyes."You're in a hurry," he said.Gianna kept walking."I asked you a question." He stepped int
Chapter FiveThe King didn't look at her again.He moved to the head of the table, sat, and the entire banquet resumed around him, everyone pretending the last five minutes had been completely normal.Gianna walked back to their seats with Cyrus's hand clamped around her elbow the entire way.He l







