LOGINNolan couldn't shake the visiting king's words from his mind. They followed him through the rest of that evening, through dinner, through the quiet hours after Gianna had finally fallen asleep beside him, Luna's soft breathing carrying through the small distance between their bed and her crib. Children like her don't usually get to grow old in my kingdom. The sentence looped over and over in his thoughts, each repetition sharpening the unease that had settled deep in his chest the moment the words left the stranger's mouth.He rose before dawn, unable to sleep any longer, and made his way to his study while the palace still lay quiet around him. He sat at his desk for a long while, staring at nothing in particular, before finally calling for Elmund.His old friend arrived within minutes, still adjusting his sleeves, clearly roused from bed but showing no sign of complaint at the early summons."You couldn't sleep either," Elmund said, more observation than question, settling into the
A messenger arrived at the palace on a quiet Tuesday morning, dust still clinging to his boots from a long journey. He said he had traveled from a kingdom far to the east, one Gianna had never even heard of before, and he carried a request from his king."My king wishes to meet with King Nolan and his Luna," the messenger said, bowing low before Nolan's throne. "He has heard much about the changes happening here. He wishes to discuss trade between our two kingdoms."Nolan studied the man carefully before answering. "Trade," he repeated. "Why would a kingdom so far from here suddenly take interest in trading with us now?""My king has always kept a close eye on the world beyond his borders," the messenger said smoothly. "He simply felt now was the right time to reach out."Elmund stood near the wall, arms crossed, watching the exchange with narrowed eyes. Something about the messenger's tone didn't sit right with him. He said nothing yet, but Nolan caught the tension in his old friend'
Weeks passed in a soft, golden blur following Luna's birth, the palace settling into an unfamiliar but welcome rhythm built around feedings, sleepless nights, and the quiet wonder of watching their daughter grow stronger with each passing day. Gianna healed steadily under the doctor's careful supervision, her strength returning gradually, though Nolan still hovered over her with the same fierce protectiveness he'd carried since the day of the birth.It was during one of these quiet mornings, sunlight streaming warmly through the nursery windows, that Fenna arrived requesting an audience, her expression carrying a particular gravity that immediately drew Gianna's attention."My lady," Fenna said, bowing slightly before approaching the cradle where Luna lay awake, her small eyes tracking the movement in the room with an alertness unusual for an infant so young. "I wonder if I might examine the princess. There's something I noticed during my last visit that I'd like to confirm."Gianna g
That 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
Chapter TwoShe was having the best dream of her life.She didn't know what it was about – just that it was warm, and she was laughing, and nothing hurt.Then she felt eyes on her.Gianna's eyes snapped open.A man was sitting in the chair right beside her bed, close enough that she could see the i
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







