The heavy drapes were drawn and the only candle in the room had burned low and rested on her dressing table. The candlelight was too weak to reach the dark corners of the room where the huge wardrobes and the mirror over her dressing table, were located. She pushed the heavy duvet off her body and swung her legs over the side of the bed, sinking her toes into the plush carpet. "What are you talking about?" Daegal asked in a hushed tone, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Psht!" Naomi shushed. She tried to convince herself that she was imagining things but from the sinking feeling in her chest, she knew that it was real. She had ceased to use pure logic to explain events after spending quality time on the continent. There was nothing logical about Aesos, Nebulos, or Volcaris. Her heart was racing but she didn't make a sound when she stepped forward. She didn't even realize Daegal had moved till she perceived his presence by her side. Naomi glanced down and saw that his hand was t

Daegal did not utter a word. Instead, he grabbed onto the reins of his horse and led it outside. A moment later, Naomi heard him galloping away. She raised her head to meet the curious stare of a blonde-haired stable boy. "What?" She snapped at him causing him to bow repeatedly before leaving the stables like his shoes were on fire. Naomi huffed and slapped her forehead. 'Why did I have to open my big mouth? What's Daegal going to think now?' When she half-turned to look for a mount amongst the many horses lounging in their stalls, her eyes caught those of another stable boy, this one dark-haired. He didn't run away though but instead nodded his head to a spotted grey mare two stalls to her right. Naomi let out a small smile in appreciation which the stable boy did not return but went back to his work of cleaning out an empty stall. She shrugged, dismissing his coldness, and approached the mare who eyed her suspiciously. After a few comforting pats on the nose and a helping

Naomi had her mouth open in preparation for a quick and downright thoughtless response but she held her tongue at the last minute. She could not be too hasty. Here he was, Prince Daegal, asking her, the woman he believes to be Princess Nerina, why she married him when she was in love with his sister. What suitable response was there? Naomi couldn't answer as she would have if these were different circumstances. She had already made the mistake of revealing her feelings for Nezetta to him. Feelings that Princess Nerina was not supposed to have. Now how was she supposed to answer the question without revealing her true identity? "Princess Nerina, I like my questions being answered when I ask them." Prince Daegal’s hold on her fist grew painful and she winced. There was no mirth in his eyes anymore; only ice. Ice that reminded Naomi of Nezetta’s coldness when she told her that she would have to marry Prince Daegal. 'Come on. Answer him, Princess Nerina.' Shrill, mocking laughter fille

Dreygor didn't try to eat Naomi this time and for that, she was very thankful. Daegal had done his magic and the wound on his dragon's wing had been healed and it was a smooth flight to Estoria from the Sykorian forests.Through the flight—a short one—Daegal did not say a word to her. However, his hand firmly held onto the back of her thigh for the entirety of their journey to prevent her from falling off.Naomi could only wonder about what was going on in his head. Their heated argument was still fresh in her memory. She was not sure of what she would do about her and Nezetta’s relationship.From what she had seen, she knew that Nezetta was a jealous and possessive person who never even wanted her to get married to Daegal. It was one of the qualities Naomi loved about her yet it would be something that would cause a big problem in the near future.Naomi was well aware that she could not keep Nezetta as an illicit affair and she could not make her marry someone else either even though

The more he stared at her, the more he thought he was caught in a daze, mesmerized by the aura she let out. Months before, he had observed her beauty as something passing. A mere notice. Something he didn't dwell on. Yet... He couldn't help but marvel at how ethereal she was and for some reason, he couldn't take his eyes off her. Not even when she caught his gaze and held it with her cold, ocean-blue eyes. "My Prince..." Naomi murmured. She wondered why butterflies were fighting a thrilling battle in her belly. She was in love with another...but there was something... A pull that seemed to draw her ever closer to Daegal. Their fingers brushed against each other and Naomi almost flinched from the sparks that shot up her arms. Once again, those words from her dream that seemed to be from another time played in her mind. 'I will burn down the continent before letting anyone harm you.' Naomi's eyes fluttered shut and without thinking of anything else but the feelings blooming in h