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22. Because of Her
publish date:
2026-09-26 04:10:55
Latest chapter
The Midnight Bride 22. Because of Her
It wasn’t until the sun began to set that the twins forced themselves inside to prepare me for dinner.Neither of them spoke to me this time. Their movements were harsher than they had been the night before, their hands tugging at the fabric and pulling my hair into place without any of the gentleness they had shown me before. They worked quickly, their expressions cold whenever our eyes met in the mirror.They dressed me in a very similar way as the night before, but this time the skirt I wore was a dusty red instead of a light pink. The same symbol was repainted onto my skin, their fingers pressing harder against my arm as they traced the familiar lines.When they were finished, I looked at myself in the mirror, swallowing the lump in my throat. I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.Cerus was leaving tonight and this dinner would be the last time that I would see him. I wasn’t entirely sure if it would be because he would leave or if it would be because Kaelen would have
The Midnight Bride 21. Shifters
That night, I slept with Cerus’s knife beneath my pillow. And I guarded the door to my room with it between my hands, but no one bothered me. I was relieved and at the same time, much more nervous when Kaelen did not return.Food was delivered for breakfast and I was left to my devices.I wanted to find Cerus, I wanted to get out of here. It took me all night to resolve to telling him the truth. Even with the danger it could put us both in, he was the only one I trusted in this palace.With my palms sweaty, I twisted my fingers together as I paced the room.I had to give myself a talk, reminding myself that I could do this. I tucked the knife in my skirt and checked the door. I pressed my hand to the handle, fully expecting it to be locked. But to my surprise, it clicked open. My breath hitched as I glanced back at the bed, debating whether I should leave or not.I swallowed, my mouth dry.Gathering what courage I had left, I slipped out into the hallway. The soft echo of my footsteps
The Midnight Bride 20. Mutual Healing
This was the first time I’d been by myself since Cerus and his men attacked the carriage.The first time I could fall apart without anyone knowing.Except he knows. Kaelen knows.Panic was running hot through me. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I had to cover my mouth to muffle the sound of my cry.What was I supposed to do? The truth of who I really was would mean death for me, my family, and Cerus. I felt trapped, suffocating under the weight of the lie I took for the sake of my kingdom.A soft knock at the window startled me. I froze for a moment, trying to decide if I had imagined it. Another knock. I wiped at my face and looked past the curtain.Cerus.My eyes widened and relief washed over me as I hurried to open the window. He was hanging from one of the stone ledges and he elegantly swung inside, his feet landing with a soft thud on the floor.I was speechless, watching him as he crossed the room and barricaded the door with a chair to make sure no one would come inside.He
The Midnight Bride 19. What I Did To You
I took a bite of the food, but my stomach was still protesting with all the nerves that twisted it. It tasted like ash on my tongue.Cerus and Prince Kaelen managed to stay civil and talked about other things that I completely ignored for my own sanity. I was too focused on breathing to pay attention to them.My skin erupted into prickles, forcing me to hug myself in an attempt to keep warm.What was I going to do now? The question had been circling through my mind since we entered the palace, growing louder with every passing moment.I wasn’t even supposed to make it this far. I was never supposed to be around Kaelen, let alone live with him. If he truly believed that I was Elysande, then he would marry me immediately.Maybe even tonight.The thought made my stomach unsettle and I pressed a hand to my mouth.Cerus caught the movement, eyeing me silently while Prince Kaelen talked. I could feel the heat of his attention on my skin, but I refused to look at him.I was lying to him, too
The Midnight Bride 18. What Payment Do You Seek?
Once they were satisfied with my appearance, they escorted me to the dining room. I followed with reluctant steps, curling into myself to hide as much as my body as possible.My heart pounded into my chest with each step and I wondered if I could ever get out of here. If I did, that would only put Elysande in danger, my home in danger.We reached ornate double doors, which swung open to reveal a warm, grand space. The walls were adorned with gold and the colors of the sunset and tapestries hung off the walls, depicting large bat-like creatures flying and fighting in battle scenes.I slowed as I passed them, my eyes drawn to the creatures.They were unlike anything I had ever seen. Their wings stretched wide, their bodies covered in dark, leathery skin as they soared above armies of men. Some had their claws buried into soldiers, while others flew through the sky with their mouths open, sharp teeth bared.I should have been frightened by them. Instead, something deep inside my chest ti
The Midnight Bride 17. The Prince's Mark
I hissed as the guards gripped my arms tightly, their rough and calloused hands biting into my skin. I tripped over my own feet trying to keep with them, the stone floor warm and yet painful against my skin.They didn’t speak to me, their faces hard and unyielding. They scowled as they looked over at me, their eyes lingering on my breasts and the area between my legs. They finally stopped in front of a door, which they quickly opened and shoved me through without a word.The door slammed closed behind me and I flinched, wrapping my arms around myself in comfort. I turned to look through the room, gasping, when I noticed the two maids who stood waiting beside a vanity.They had warm brown hair, and it was long enough to touch their hipbones, which were visible to me because of their lack of clothes. I didn’t know if I should look away or not.Their eyes slightly widened as they took in my disheveled appearance and they moved in unison, eerie considering the fact that they were identical
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