[redith].
Minutes later, Azul stood behind , fastening the last clasp of my gown, while Deidra adjusted the fall of the fabric along my shoulders. Kira and Cora moved around the room quietly, ensuring every detail was perfect.
Arya held up a mirror so I could see the final result. My reflection stared back at .
The gown was elegant and royal, silver threads woven along the bodice like moonlight. The three golden stars Draven had pinned on my shoulder earlier glead softly under the lamps.
Even now, my new title still felt surreal.
"You are perfect, your majesty," Azul said with satisfaction.
"Thank you." I grinned and stared back at the mirror once again before leading the way to the Draven’s main bedchamber.
Just a second later, a knock sounded at the door. Kira moved imdiately. "I will see who it is, Your Majesty."
She opened the door slightly and stepped outside. Monts later, she returned.
At the sa ti, the door of the dressing room opened behind , and Draven stepped into the bedchamber, already dressed for the banquet.
anwhile, Kira approached and leaned closer, then whispered in my ear, "Your Majesty... a maidservant wishes to see you. She says it is urgent."
I frowned slightly. "At this hour?"
Kira nodded. "She said it concerns Miss Fellowes."
My body stilled for a mont, then, without hesitation, I rose from my seat. I crossed the room quickly and stepped into the hallway.
Xamira stood there, waiting anxiously. The mont she saw , she bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."
"What is it?" I asked quietly.
She quickly stepped forward and excused herself before leaning closer and lowering her voice. "After you and His Majesty left the room on the ground floor earlier... Miss Fellowes entered it."
My brows drew together. "She went inside?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
A strange unease crept into my chest. "How long was she there?"
"A while," Xamira replied. "I kept watch from the corridor."
My stomach tightened. "And?"
Xamira hesitated slightly. "When she ca out... sothing was strange about her."
"Quickly explain and stop delaying." I narrowed my eyes.
"My apologizes your majesty," She offered a small bow, then continued, "She had a strange smile on her face. And she was mumbling sothing to herself."
My heart skipped a beat, though I managed to keep my cool. "Were you able to pick the words she muttered under her breath?"
Xamira’s brows furrowed. "I’m not sure, your majesty. But I think she said sothing of the likes of bearing an heir for the throne."
For a mont, the world tilted. Air left my lungs practically left my lungs. I actually leaned back slightly, my hand instinctively reaching for the wall beside .
’No. No... that was impossible.’ My thoughts raced wildly. Surely, I was misunderstanding. Wanda could be malicious, jealous, hateful... But that?
That would be madness.
A cold shiver ran down my spine. I forced myself to breathe. "Have the servants begun cleaning the room?" I asked quickly.
Xamira shook her head. "I do not know, Your Majesty. As soon as she left, I ca here imdiately."
My heart started pounding harder. Then I turned back into the chamber, and Draven looked up as I walked in.
I forced my voice to remain calm. "You should head to the banquet hall first. I will join you shortly."
He studied for a brief mont. But before he could question , I had already turned away.
"Xamira," I said sharply. "Co with ."
She followed imdiately. We moved quickly through the palace corridors until we reached the room.
The door was already open. A few servants had already arrived and were beginning to tidy the space. The mont they saw , they froze and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty."
"Leave the room," I said firmly. "Wait outside."
They obeyed instantly. One by one, they exited the chamber, including Xamira. Finally, the door closed behind them, and silence fell.
I stood still for a mont, then slowly stepped inside properly. My nose twitched as the air hit imdiately.
Indeed, Wanda had been here. Her scent lingered faintly beneath the heavier sll that still filled the room.
My jaw tightened. I moved slowly across the chamber, examining every corner carefully. The chairs. The table. The floor. Literally every place Draven and I had been.
Just then, Valmora stirred inside . "She was here," she growled.
"I know," I replied, and leaned slightly closer to the table. Sothing was wrong. Very wrong.
My eyes moved carefully over the surface. Then I saw a faint sar. My stomach dropped, and my breath stopped.
In that instant, everything clicked together. The words Xamira had reported. The strange smile. The ntion of an heir.
Instantly, a violent wave of anger surged through . My hands clenched tightly at my sides.
"That vile woman," I whispered through gritted teeth.
Valmora’s voice roared through my mind. "She touched what was ours,"
My chest rose and fell sharply as rage flooded my veins. Wanda had not simply trespassed; she had done sothing far worse. She had stolen sothing that belonged to my mate. To us.
"Do not spare her." Valmora snarled inside .
"I won’t." The promise ca out low and cold. "I swear it."
This ti, Wanda had crossed a line that could never be forgiven. She had invaded my space. My mate’s space. Our bond.
And she had done sothing so vile that my stomach still twisted when I thought about it.
I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to regain control. If I let Valmora loose now, I would tear half the palace apart before finding Wanda. And that would only ruin everything.
This needed to be handled carefully and strategically, so I turned and walked toward the door.
The mont I stepped outside, the servants and Xamira straightened imdiately. "Your Majesty."
I nodded once. "Resu cleaning the room."
They bowed and quickly returned inside.
Xamira followed as I began walking down the corridor. Even though fury burned inside , I forced my aura down, suppressing it tightly. No one in the palace needed to feel the storm raging inside my chest.
By the ti we reached the banquet hall, my face had beco perfectly calm.
Reviews
All reviews (0)