I stood again and went to the basin, splashing cold water over my face, letting it drip from my jaw onto the front of my tunic. My reflection stared back from the darkened mirror—too tired, too pale, too uncertain.Then I sat at the desk, letter before me, unopened still. I rested both hands flat on
DamonThe council chamber was still humming with posturing and layered innuendo when the phrase drifted past me, though I was sure it wasn’t meant for my ears.“…illegitimate heirs are always the most dangerous,” one of the lesser lords muttered, lips half-concealed behind a goblet of mulled wine.I
LilaThe sun hadn’t risen fully yet, but I was already dressed. Wrapped in a soft shawl, standing at the edge of the window, I watched the world blur into golden light.I could see the garden path from here—the one where Damon first asked me to trust him. It felt like a lifetime ago.My fingers tigh
LilaThe letter was waiting for me before I’d even sat down. It lay neatly beside my tea, sealed in pale wax with the Ashford crest pressed deep into its face.For a moment, I thought I’d imagined it. I blinked, hoping it might disappear—but the paper stayed. Unmoving. Heavy with expectation.I didn
LilaThe sheets smelled like Damon. His arms were wrapped around me, steady and silent, his breath even against the curve of my neck.If I closed my eyes, I could almost believe this was peace. That nothing outside this bed waited to unravel us. But I let my eyes drift open instead.Damon held me wi
DamonI thrust the parchment list into Ronan’s hands, fingers still trembling with restraint.“Get this to the healer,” I snapped. “Now. Tell her what it is—tell her who it came from.”Ronan looked at me, eyes narrowing. “Your Majes—”“Go.”He nodded once and disappeared out of the room without anot