Mag-log inAs Pietra disappeared down the corridor, Elmund stepped forward, his expression serious and protective. "Be careful with her," he said quietly to Gianna. "Anyone linked to Cyrus is dangerous to you. I don't want to take any chances with your safety. The King would kill me if anything happened to you." Gianna found herself amused by his devotion, by the fierceness of his loyalty to both her and Nolan. It was touching, really, to see such unwavering commitment. A question slipped from her lips before she could stop it. "Why haven't you started a family of your own?" she asked. Elmund looked at her strangely, clearly taken aback by the unexpected question. Gianna quickly explained herself, her tone gentle and genuinely concerned. "I'm just worried about you. You have influence, resources, power, and good looks. Yet I've never seen you with any woman. You're young and strong and capable. Don't you want a life outside of serving Nolan?" At the mention of his good looks, Elmund blush
Gianna looked at Pietra's gaunt face, at the desperation in her eyes, and felt her resistance crumble. Despite everything Pietra had done to her in the past, she couldn't turn away a pregnant woman who was clearly suffering and afraid. "Come inside," Gianna said softly, extending her hand. Pietra's relief was palpable as she followed Gianna into the chambers. Gianna immediately called for the maids and instructed them to bring food, the best they had available. She wanted to ensure that Pietra received proper nourishment, wanted to give her at least one meal where she didn't have to worry about hunger. As the maids laid out platters of roasted meats, fresh bread, vegetables, and fruits, Pietra began to eat with desperate urgency. She ate like someone who hadn't seen a proper meal in weeks, and Gianna watched with a mixture of sympathy and concern. But the aroma of the food, rich and heavy in the air, suddenly made Gianna's stomach turn violently. Without warning, nausea crashed th
Gianna pointed out the strange looks the servants were giving them, their eyes wide with scandal and confusion at the sight of the King and Queen in their nightclothes, kneeling in the dirt like common gardeners. But Nolan just shrugged, completely unbothered by their judgment. "Let them stare," he said with a casual wave of his hand. "Let them talk." Before Gianna could respond, he leaned down and kissed her deeply, right there in full view of every servant within sight. It was a bold statement, a clear declaration that he didn't care what anyone thought about his devotion to her. When he pulled back, Gianna's cheeks were flushed, and she could hear the whispers and gasps from the servants around them growing louder. Nolan just grinned, clearly enjoying the spectacle. He stood and swept her into his arms, carrying her bridal style back toward the palace. "Come on," he said. "Let's give them something really worth talking about." Gianna laughed despite herself, burying her face
After Pietra left, Gianna made her way directly to Nolan's study. She found him reviewing documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. He looked up when she entered, a soft smile crossing his face before fading as he took in her expression. "What's wrong?" he asked, setting aside his papers. "Why are you still punishing them?" Gianna demanded, her voice steady but tinged with frustration. "You told me you already let go of your anger toward Cyrus and Pietra. Yet you've stripped them of everything, left them with nothing." Nolan's expression hardened immediately. "Cyrus didn't deserve to go scot free after everything he did to you," he said coldly. "He made you a shadow of yourself, Gianna. He hurt you. He cheated on you with Pietra. He even caused you to lose your memory." He stood and turned away from her, his hands clenching into fists. "Even if it was in the past, he needs to suffer for it," Nolan continued. "He needs to understand the weight of his cruelty." But Gianna s
Nolan was silent for a long moment after Gianna's plea for honesty, his eyes distant, his expression torn. She could see the internal struggle playing out across his face, the desire to protect her warring with the need to share his burdens.Finally, he sighed, his shoulders sagging as if a great weight had settled upon them."My father," he began, his voice low and heavy, "he searched everywhere for a cure. He traveled to the farthest reaches of the earth, consulted with every healer and wise person he could find. But there was no solution to be found."He paused, his eyes meeting Gianna's, a deep sadness in their depths."In his desperation, he even went so far as to marry one of the most powerful witches in the land. He thought her magic could save him, that her powers could break the curse."Gianna's eyes widened, shock rippling through her."Your mother was a witch?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Nolan nodded, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth."Yes,"
The ride back to the palace was smooth and romantic, the carriage swaying gently as they held each other close. Nolan couldn't seem to stop touching her, his hands always finding hers, his lips pressing soft kisses to her hair, her cheeks, her mouth.That night, they made love with a passion and intensity that left Gianna breathless. Nolan worshipped her body like it was a temple, his hands and lips mapping every inch of her skin. He whispered words of love and devotion against her ear, his voice rough with emotion.Afterwards, as they lay tangled together, Nolan joked about wanting to relive their wedding night, to erase the memory of the rogue king and his minions ruining that special moment. Gianna laughed softly and kissed him, silently vowing to make every night feel like a wedding night from now on.The next morning, Gianna woke before Nolan, her mind already racing with thoughts of the curse and the mysterious healer's words. She slipped out of bed quietly, not wanting to dist
Gianna's hands went to the buttons of her shirt."Wait –""There's no time." Nolan's voice was low, urgent. "Do it now."She wanted to argue and demand answers as to what was going on. She wanted to walk out and leave him to deal with whatever this was alone.But something in his tone stopped her.
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
Gianna's hands wouldn't stop shaking.She stood in her room, staring at them like they belonged to someone else. The sword had felt so light when she'd pressed it to Zed's throat. Now her palms felt heavy, slick with sweat she couldn't wipe away.She'd killed him.She'd killed a guard in front of w
Nolan paced his chambers like a caged animal, his footsteps wearing a path across the stone floor.Elmund stood near the door, quiet and still, waiting.Vivien had been shown to a room in the far wing of the palace, as far from Nolan's chambers as physically possible, but her presence still felt su







