[Draven].
Levi’s car rolled down the long driveway until it disappeared beyond the wrought-iron gates. Then almost imdiately, Rhovan’s voice slid through my mind like a low growl.
"That woman... Wanda Fellowes. She is looking for a way to get close to us."
I slipped my hands into the front pockets of my pants, my expression calm."Then she will keep looking," I muttered under my breath, "until she dies."
Rhovan rumbled in dark satisfaction.
Then, I turned and found redith still staring at the road, her eyes fixed where the car had vanished.
Her shoulders were relaxed, but there was a distant heaviness in her gaze, as if she were thinking far beyond the mont.
I touched her shoulder gently. "redith."
She blinked up at . Her eyes were tired—softened at the edges, dulled with exhaustion. She had been awake since early morning.
She had attended the palace, endured the princess, trained, strategized, and still held herself with grace.
I threaded my fingers through hers. "You should get so sleep," I told her quietly. "You look exhausted."
She let out a soft breath. "I am. I haven’t rested at all today."
I tightened my hold on her hand and guided her back inside.
The mont we entered, Dennis’s voice rang out from behind us.
"Well, well—Luna redith." He grinned, his hands on his hips. "That victory in the strategy ga? I haven’t felt that satisfied in a long ti."
Jeffery snorted. "Everyone was satisfied she won against Wanda."
Oscar—reserved as always, gave a rare nod. "Your intellectual display was impressive, Luna."
I couldn’t stop the small prideful smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. Inwardly, warmth spread in my chest.
They were beginning to see just a fragnt of what my wife truly was. A blessing. A force. A future Queen no one would dare look down on, once fate finally unveiled her completely.
I glanced at them. "My wife and I will rest for now," I announced. "We will et again at dinner."
Jeffery nodded. Oscar did the sa. Then my gaze slid to Dennis.
He lifted an eyebrow. "What? What do you want to say?"
"I just wanted to make sure no nonsense cos out of that mouth of yours."
Dennis laughed. "Relax, Draven. I won’t say a pin."
I didn’t trust him, but I let it go.
Still holding redith’s small hand, I led her toward the elevator.
She yawned the mont the doors closed, her eyes watering as exhaustion finally broke through her composure.
"I just want to sleep..." she murmured.
Her expression was so soft—so endearingly helpless, I almost kissed her forehead.
"That’s why we are heading to the bedroom," I told her. Then I paused and looked down at her. "Or did you think I had other plans?"
She exhaled, half a laugh. "Draven... I’m too tired to have naughty thoughts. Or think on your behalf."
I chuckled, letting the teasing die there. I had no idea she was this exhausted when I noticed it. And this made wonder how she hid it so perfectly until the guests were gone.
The elevator doors opened on the third floor. We stepped out and finally entered the warm familiarity of our room.
Then, I guided her to sit at the edge of the bed. She slumped down without grace. For once, she wasn’t elegant. She was just exhausted.
I crouched and unfastened her boots, sliding them off her feet. The mont I did, she tried to flop onto the bed, but I stopped her with one hand on her waist.
"redith," I said dryly, "how do you plan to sleep comfortably in tight pants and a fitted top?"
"I’m too lazy to change..." she mumbled, already half reclining.
Before I could respond, she wriggled away from my hand and fully collapsed onto the mattress, curling slightly as if she would lt into it.
I stared at her. She looked nothing more than a spoiled, sleepy little princess. I sighed, shaking my head in pure amusent.
"Unbelievable," I muttered. Then I grabbed her boots and headed toward the dressing room.
I placed her boots neatly on her shoe shelf, then sat on the stool and removed mine. The mont they were tucked away in my own shoe shelf, I stood and walked to her wardrobe.
The glass doors slid open with a soft whisper. I stared at her clothes before , they were hung in perfect rows—silks, cottons, soft knits—every shade that made her look ethereal.
Just then, Rhovan huffed inside . "Pick anything. She will still sll amazing."
That wasn’t helpful.
I finally selected one of her softest ho outfits—loose grey shorts and a light top she sotis wore when she wanted comfort back in Duskmoor.
When I stepped back into the room, redith was still sprawled on the bed exactly where I had left her, except now she had turned on her side, curled up like a cat avoiding responsibility.
"redith," I said.
A sleepy hum was all I received.
"Co," I said more firmly. "Let change your clothes."
"No..."
I blinked. "No?"
She buried her face in the pillow. "I’m comfortable."
"You’re not comfortable," I sighed. "You’re being difficult."
"Sa thing," she mumbled.
I stared at her for a long second. Then I walked around the bed, grabbed her by the waist, and gently tugged her upright.
She went limp—completely limp like a dead bird.
"Are you serious right now?" I asked.
Her head lolled against my chest. "Draven... I’m tired..."
I suppressed a laugh—barely. So this was what I married. A Queen on the battlefield... and a sleepy, dramatic baby in the bedroom.
"Lift your arms," I instructed.
She did not lift her arms. Instead, she whispered, "Carry ."
"I’m not carrying you to change your shirt."
"It would be easier."
"For who?"
"..."
I closed my eyes and breathed. "Arms up, redith."
After a long, suffering groan, she slowly—very slowly raised her arms like she was being arrested.
"Good." I slipped her top off, and she shivered at the cool air.
Then, before I could put on the fresh top, she flopped face-first back onto the bed, still half undressed.
I scrubbed a hand over my face. "You are doing this on purpose."
"Mmm... no..."
"Yes."
"No..."
I grabbed her shoulder and rolled her onto her back. She blinked up at with the most innocent expression I had ever seen.
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