LOGINDIANAI froze in place.Not because I wanted to obey him, but because something deep inside my soul made me.My brows furrowed in frustration. "There it is again."His expression hardened. "Diana.""You seem to like doing that," I snapped, taking another defiant step closer.His eyes flashed red in warning. "You should not come closer."The words struck deep inside me as I could hear the rejection tied to it. He couldn't even bear the thought of me standing near him.I laughed bitterly. "You truly dislike me that much?"His face went terrifyingly still. "I did not say that.""You don't need to."The ache in my chest intensified. Creator, what is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this?"I am your wife," I demanded, my voice beginning to shake. "And according to dragon tradition...your mate."Something flickered in his eyes, yet the words kept pouring out of me like a broken dam. Weeks of distance and questions could no longer be contained."You leave me alone for a month. You refuse
DIANABy the time we reached the Central Palace, night had already fallen.I stared through the carriage window as enormous towers rose into the darkness ahead. Lights glowed from thousands of windows, turning the palace into something almost unreal.Aeris had gone back to Volkar, saying his duty was there but he'd appear anytime I needed him, just like he had.The palace was beautiful. Last time, I had been too anxious to notice. Then I remembered who lived inside it and my stomach churned.The carriage rolled through the gates and came to a stop. Outside, servants and guards were already waiting.The moment the door opened, cold evening air rushed inside."Your Highness," one of the attendants greeted with a bow.Everything happened so quickly after that.Servants took my luggage. Maids gathered around me while Sarah and Mina stayed close as we were escorted through what felt like endless hallways with gold, crystal, and marble.The Central Palace was completely different from Volk
DIANAMy stomach dropped.Aeris watched realization begin to form on my face. "Notice anything?"I looked at the royal escorts again. Not a single scratch was on them, meanwhile Vladimir's men were covered in blood. Some were injured and one even had an arrow lodged in his shoulder.A cold chill crawled down my spine. "No." I whispered.Aeris didn't answer which somehow felt worse."The attackers knew the Skyblade Warriors would be escorting you." Vladimir finally spoke. His voice was cold as he did. "They sent over one hundred highly trained assassins."My breath seized in my lungs.One hundred? I had thought there were a very few dozens.Vladimir's expression darkened. "They hoped numbers would overwhelm us." His eyes swept across the battlefield. "They were wrong."I stared at him, then back at the royal guards.My heart began pounding. "You're implying..." I couldn't even finish the sentence.Aeris and Vladimir looked at me dead serious.I covered my mouth with my hand as a gasp
DIANA The further we traveled from Volkar, the less brutal the cold became. Inside the carriage, Sarah had fallen asleep with her head resting on Mina's shoulder. Mina herself looked like she was struggling to stay awake, blinking slowly as she stared out the window. I couldn't sleep. I sat by the window, watching endless forests pass by. The bracelet Aeris had given me rested warmly around my wrist and without realizing it, I kept touching it.I'd been feeling a strange uneasiness sometime after noon and I couldn't explain it. Vladimir and the escort rode ahead and behind us. Everything was peaceful, then a scream shattered the peace. Then the carriage jerked. Sarah woke up with a terrified gasp. "What was that?" Before anyone could answer, an arrow buried itself through the carriage wall just inches from Mina's face. She screamed immediately, throwing herself on the floorboards. "AMBUSH!" Vladimir roared from outside. The horses shrieked in panic as arrows continued to
DIANAAn entire month had passed since that strange night by the waterfall.One month since I had seen Draven.At first, I had expected him to appear the next day. Then the day after that. Then perhaps a week later.But he never came.When I finally asked Aeris where the prince was, the fae had simply smiled and informed me that His Highness had traveled on official business.That answer should have satisfied me. Instead, it only made the strange disappointment in my chest worsen."Princess."A wooden sword smacked my shoulder."Ow!" I jumped back, rubbing the affected area.Aeris stood opposite me with his own practice sword balanced lazily across one shoulder. His silver hair gleamed beneath the sunlight. "You were daydreaming again.""I was not.""You absolutely were.""I wasn't."He raised one eyebrow. "You have the worst liar's face I have ever seen."I glared at him, but he looked too pleased with himself.The training courtyard behind my wing had become my favorite place in Vo
DRAVEN “You cannot kill me, Your Highness.” The words hit me harder than any weapon ever has. “You speak with the ignorance of a child, Diana,” I rasped. I braced my boots against the stone, forcing myself to remain exactly where I stood. Every molecule in my body was screaming at me to cross the distance, to close the gap and claim what was mine. “I am a cursed creature,” I continued, the words coming out in a strained tone as I fought Karl for control. “My winter aura has frozen the blood in the veins of women stronger than you. If you step closer, your weak mortal body will fail you.” Diana didn't back away, instead, she lifted her chin higher. “Then why am I not cold?” she asked. “What?” I breathed, my composure fracturing further. “Growing up, I was taught that the North was a wasteland of ice and death,” she said, her voice remarkably clear over the sound of the rushing water. “But tonight, standing here right now, looking at you... I am not cold. The closer I get to yo







