VioletKylan dragged me through the garden like we were being chased. His hand was wrapped around mine as he led the way. His steps were so fast, even Jumpie, who had been clinging to his shoulders, had a hard time keeping up.“Where are you taking me?” I laughed, barely being able to hold up my dress with my free hand.He didn’t answer right away, just kept going, pulling me down a path lined with lights and trees. I followed without fighting it, giggling, out of breath, but not minding at all.Any alone time with Kylan would be worth it.“Can’t we just go back to your room?” I groaned, tugging his hand to slow him down a little.“Pup,” Kylan laughed, turning his head slightly. “The point of escaping is that no one can find us.”Fair enough.I looked around the garden as we moved deeper into it, and all the violins of the feast faded away. Everything was quiet, and not even the Lyperian guards were around.The little lights above us twinkled softly, and even the flowers seemed to shi
VioletThe feast was in full swing.People laughed, talked, and clinked glasses. Every few minutes, a new dish showed up at the table, and servants worked way too hard to keep up. All the tenseness from before had been replaced, but my mind still wasn’t in it.I was still trying to give it a place, that Chrystal had knelt to kiss my shoe in front of everyone.And even though Kylan didn’t formally disown her or say anything directly, the message had been loud and clear.He made his choice.He picked me.I should’ve felt happy.I should’ve been proud.But…I wasn’t. Not fully.Sure, it felt great and all, but Chrystal was still here. Still seated at the royal table, and even if it was at the far end, it had pissed me off.This table was supposed to be for family, and the king had already decided that Beta Jack would be his family. Chrystal even being allowed to sit here said a whole lot.And if there was one thing I knew about Chrystal, it was that she didn’t give up easy. She had this u
VioletChrystal’s eyes locked onto mine as hard as they could get. There was no smile, no warmth, just that same empty expression she had that day she had planned to kill me.Now it was as if she was daring me.Say something if you dare, and I’ll show you again…I tried to breathe, though I was pretty close to losing it. It was already something that she dared to show up, but above all, in a white dress. Bigger, brighter, and flashier than mine.I thought I’d be able to handle her presence, that I could sit here and be unbothered—but I couldn’t. Especially not after Kylan said he loved me while this…thing, in front of me, was out to ruin that.Kylan suddenly let go of my hand, and my eyes drifted toward him. He didn’t move, didn’t speak, didn’t even look like he was breathing. It was like he had turned to stone, and knowing Kylan and the anger he still felt toward her, maybe that was for the better.Or maybe not.I wasn’t sure yet.Just like he had been doing ever since he stepped foo
VioletMy eyes stayed locked on the king’s, even as Dylan stepped behind the table and Trinity slid over one spot, letting him sit between us.She had been right.He came.But I didn’t have time to process it.Kylan was still standing beside me, stiff as ever. Not a single muscle in him relaxed. If anything, he looked ready to jump across the table the second the king made a wrong move.“Don’t wait now,” King Elyx said, his voice loud for everyone to hear. His eyes were sharp, cold, burning with rage. “You have something to say. Speak.”Fuck, I hated this man…I knew he thought that I was unintelligent, brainless, empty-headed, an idiot. He wanted me to mess up in front of everyone.But I wasn’t going to. Not today.I lifted my chin. “I want to thank you for welcoming me into your kingdom,” I said, steady and clear, “and for all of this.”I gestured around the room to the hall, the lights, the maids, the musicians. Then forced a smile.“Though, if you had come just a few minutes earli
VioletThe trumpets didn’t stop, even after he walked in.King Elyx.He entered like he was the star of the night, like the whole feast had been planned just to show him off.The crown on his head still looked too heavy, just like the first time I saw it. His robe too thick for a room that wasn’t even cold. A wide, pleased grin was stuck on his face.Honestly? He looked ridiculous.He didn’t come alone. He brought an entourage. Queen Cecilia walked a few steps behind him. Her face stayed calm, but her eyes gave her away. She looked embarrassed. Like she didn’t want to be part of this.Kiora and Kaelis walked beside her, and their faces didn’t look much different from hers.At the king’s side stood Beta Jack, his wife, and Nate.Nate…My heart sank the moment I saw him.His eyes were red and puffy. I didn’t need to guess what he had been doing. I already knew.And it hurt. I wanted to jump off this platform, run to him, grab him, and pull him away.Chrystal wasn’t there.That was a goo
VioletKylan’s hand rested gently on my back as we walked through the space connected to the ballroom. The room was filled with long tables, all decorated with gold candles, gold tableware, and flower arrangements so large they looked like blooming trees.One table stood out from the rest. It was placed on a raised platform, more beautifully decorated than the others, and completely empty.It wasn’t hard to guess—that was our table.I looked around the room as all the guests began taking their seats, including the mistresses and their children. But one thing was clear. Neither Lady Mona nor her children were here.They had all left.Kayden as well.The Bloodroses were also nowhere to be found. Not a single one of them had shown up to feast. Cecilia and her daughters weren’t here either, but I figured that had something to do with the King’s big entrance.“Where’s Nate?” I asked quietly.“With Beta Jack, I suppose,” Kylan said.That was all I needed to hear. It made sense now. Everyone