Simone’s POV"You are smiling, Simone," Mother said, her voice dropping like a heavy silk curtain across my private thoughts.I snapped my gaze away from the carriage window, forcing the sharp curve of my lips to flatten out before she could read the pure satisfaction behind it. Outside, the rough dirt tracks of the borderlands blurred into grey smears, the steady, rhythmic jolting of the wheels vibrating straight through the soles of my slippers. My fingers twitched against the velvet fabric of my skirt. Harmoni was dead. The memory of it felt warm, heavy, and delicious under my skin. I had stood right at the edge of the NeonViper square just after sunrise, watching the elders drop the heavy iron blade. I had watched the light vanish from his stupid, loyal eyes while Scout was miles away, completely clueless. It was a beautiful thing to look at.Mother adjusted the cuffs of her dark blue silk travelling gown, her long fingers moving with slow, practised grace. She looked every bit th
Last Updated : 2026-08-17 Read more