LOGINI walked back toward the palace. The massive building looked different in the moonlight—no longer glowing with gold and splendor, but almost eerie instead. My steps were heavy. Exhaustion soon caught up with me.
The anger had evaporated completely. Gone. As usual, the night sky had soothed me—it had wrapped me in a hug, made me feel safe. It had given me peace.
Nicolais came rushing toward me as I neared the garden again. He looked unsettled, as if he had been searching for me. But the moment his worried eyes met mine, relief washed over his face. I could see his body relax.
“Where did you go?” He pulled me into an embrace, one where I could feel his heartbeat, feel the warmth and safety of his chest.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured into
Sicca stood at my side as he went over the last details with Nicolais. The dress I wore was elegant, a warm orange, like the Kingdom of Summer itself. It had a comforting tone, one that made me feel at ease, that made me feel warm. Its usual shape hugged my chest before flaring out into a puffed skirt at the bottom, accentuating my figure in the most flattering way.We were on our way to the Kingdom of Spring. Sicca had decided to come along—for support, guidance, to make sure I didn’t say anything too foolish. Which I couldn’t fully understand, because so far, it hadn’t really been me making mistakes… unless we counted that little outburst at the dining table during the Summer Solstice.Sicca was, as always, impeccably dressed. He radiated elegance and confidence in a relaxed and effortless way that even Nicolais rarely managed.
“Okay,” I said as I entered the dining hall where Sicca and Nicolais were seated, “isn’t there a chance,” I caught both their attention, “that I could wear something other than dresses?”Once again, Lily had dressed me in a beautiful dress, a delicate summer dress in a soft pink hue.“You look beautiful in dresses,” Nicolais smiled at me.“So… I don’t look good in my night shorts?” I knew I was bating for the correct answer, I knew exactly what I was doing. I’d been thinking for a while about how to get them to give me what I wanted.“You look very good in your night shorts,” he said with a smile that made me blush.“So then
I felt incredibly naked as I walked ahead of Atlas down the hall toward Nicolais’ office. Even though I tried to cover myself with the silk, it was white and hid very little of me. My bare feet suddenly felt vulgar, and my loose hair felt as though I were trying to seduce him—even though it wasn’t meant for him. It was meant for Nicolais, for my fiancé.I knocked quickly before opening the door, which also caused my robe to fall open slightly. Nicolais looked up at me and smiled, but it faded quickly when he saw who was standing behind me. I stepped into the room, once again folding the robe tightly around my body. I looked down, embarrassed by the situation I had found myself in only moments ago.“Atlasnien,” Nicolais greeted the dark man standing before him.Even though they bo
Sunlight spilled over us as another day dawned. He lay with his back to me. For the first time since we had slept together, I didn’t wake with him holding me. Usually his heavy body rested over mine, but today—today he had turned away.I rolled onto my back, the sheets gently caressing my skin as I stared up at the canopy above the bed. It was filled with suns, flowers, and clouds—almost as if it embodied the Kingdom of Summer itself. It was becoming easier and easier for me to see it, to recognize their own branding. The sun appeared everywhere, as if it gave the place extra strength, as if it ensured the Mother’s protection.Religion was truly a big thing here—something that touched everyone, something everyone talked about. It was so incredibly different from where I came from. Still, Nicolais didn’t seem to force any reli
I walked back toward the palace. The massive building looked different in the moonlight—no longer glowing with gold and splendor, but almost eerie instead. My steps were heavy. Exhaustion soon caught up with me.The anger had evaporated completely. Gone. As usual, the night sky had soothed me—it had wrapped me in a hug, made me feel safe. It had given me peace.Nicolais came rushing toward me as I neared the garden again. He looked unsettled, as if he had been searching for me. But the moment his worried eyes met mine, relief washed over his face. I could see his body relax.“Where did you go?” He pulled me into an embrace, one where I could feel his heartbeat, feel the warmth and safety of his chest.“I’m sorry,” I murmured into
The sun had already risen when I came to myself again. We had managed to hold out for the full forty-eight hours, though many of the last ones were spent in his bedroom, and I hadn’t fallen asleep until the sun went down.A smile tugged at my lips when I felt his heavy arm around my waist. His breathing was calm, relaxed. He deserved the rest, too, after all the hard work planning the celebration, carrying it out, and then our escapades yesterday as well.I let my fingers trail up and down his arm, stroking him gently. If this was happiness—if this was what marriage would be like—then I could survive it.I was certainly not inexperienced, but everything Nicolais had done to me yesterday felt as though I were experiencing it for the first time. As if no one had ever touched me like that before. My g







