جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 159

Lucian POVThe morning of the naming ceremony came with a kind of stillness that felt almost strange to me. I was already in the mansion garden before anyone else arrived because for once I wasn’t getting ready for a fight or for judgment. The gardeners had made the lawn look beautiful but simple not fancy. They placed roses, lavender, and moon lilies around a small wooden platform under the oldest oak tree on the property. Sunlight came through the leaves above. Birds sang without stopping. A gentle breeze brought the smell of earth instead of blood or smoke. After many big ceremonies that always ended in loss this quiet gathering felt much more sacred.Luke came over with the silver pendant that belonged to my mother. He held it out without saying anything at first. His face showed the understanding of a man who had seen so much of my life. That made the moment feel heavier than words could handle.“My queen wore this when she introduced you to the kingdom " he said gently. "I thoug

Anna POVThree Years Later.The first thing I hear every morning is not an alarm clock or the sound of the staff moving around the mansion.It is laughter.Tiny and happy laughter that fills every corner of the house before the sun is fully up.Victoria learned how to walk three weeks agoShe also learned that when you can walk you can also run and climb and hide from your parents, which's a really fun game."Victoria Sterling " Belle says loudly from downstairs."I know you are hiding behind that curtain because I can see your feet."Victoria giggles.Then she runs into the sitting room with Belle chasing her."I give up " Belle says, falling onto the sofa. "Your daughter is too fast."Victoria claps her hands. Says "I did it" before she sees me."Mom " she says.My whole morning gets better when I hear her say that.I bend down to pick her up. She puts her arms around my neck and gives me a big kiss."There you are " she says, like she was trying to be hard to find."Daddy?" she ask

Anna POVJordan didn’t know that he had become the center of a different fight. He kept telling office stories while Mia sometimes corrected the details.“I’m telling you " Jordan said, pointing his fork at me "Anna was the employee who could make an angry client say sorry to us."“That’s because she looked innocent " Mia said. "People felt guilty shouting at her."Jordan thought about it.“Actually… that’s true."I shook my head.“I wasn’t manipulating anyone."“Oh yes, you were."“I wasn’t."“You absolutely were."Belle leaned in happy to hear this.“I need examples."Jordan smiled.“I have dozens."Across from me Lucian reached for the fruit bowl.He took the strawberries without asking anyone and put them on my plate.I looked down.Then I looked at him.“Thank you."“You haven’t eaten enough."“I have."“You’ve mostly laughed."Luke’s shoulders moved.He lifted his lemonade before anyone noticed.At least before Lucian noticed.I noticed.Luke had figured it out.His eyes met min

Anna POVThe laughter was still coming out of me after Luke's announcement. Even though Lucian looked like he had given up with as much dignity as he could manage I could see a little color on his cheeks. It suited him in a way that all his years of being perfectly calm never had because this version of my husband wasn't an Alpha King or an immortal warrior carrying a prophecy. He was a man whose family had caught him hopelessly in love.He reached for the doorknob with a sigh."I suppose " he said, "that I should save my daughter before she makes the whole house think flowers should be in the fountain."I grabbed his wrist before he could open the door."You really are cute."He looked at me with anger."I thought we agreed never to use that word.""I don't remember agreeing.""I distinctly remember being against it.""That isn't the thing."His lips moved even though he tried not to smile."I married a woman who likes to win arguments.""You married a woman who likes to watch the gr