Fine. If Stephany wouldn’t speak, Valerian would make her.
Until she was ready to tell him the truth—
"You’re staying here."
Valerian’s voice was like ice as he strode to the double doors, pulling them open. He turned back, his eyes dark and full of hurt from the betrayal.
"You will stay in this room until you tell the truth."
And with that, he stepped out and slamd the doors shut.
Stephany’s breath hitched. The sound of the lock turning sent cold terror spiraling through her. She rushed to the door, hands slamming against the wood.
"Brother! Brother! You can’t do this to ! You can’t lock in here!"
On the other side, Valerian’s voice was calm. "I can and I will. Not until you tell the truth."
Then—silence. His footsteps faded down the hall, leaving her alone in the suffocating darkness of her room.
Stephany’s heart pounded. She pressed her forehead against the door, her hands shaking.
Valerian had never done this before. Never once had he restricted her freedom—not as long as she stayed away from danger and avoided the places he deed too perilous. He had always been protective, yes, but never suffocating. Until now.
Stephany’s fingers curled into fists, nails biting into her palms as rage surged through her like wildfire.
How dare he? How dare he?!
He had no right to lock her in like this, no right to control her life as if she were so caged bird!
Without the key, how was she supposed to et Lucien now? Without her freedom, how was she supposed to escape this suffocating house, this prison disguised as a ho?
She should have left with Lucien when she had the chance—she should have run.
Her breath ca fast, heart pounding against her ribs.
Was this how it was always going to be? Trapped under her brother’s control forever, expected to obey his every demand like so puppet on strings?
"He has no right to do this to !" she hissed, slamming her fist against the locked door.
She was every bit the heir to this household as he was. She was supposed to be the other leader of CROSS. It was her birthright, her legacy. That’s what Lucien had told her. They were ant to share the power, to make decisions together.
And yet, as long as Valerian stood in her way, as long as he held all the control, how could she ever be with Lucien? How could she ever be free?
And worse—
She had no idea how she was going to get out of here.
=== ===
Days passed, but Stephany remained unyielding. No matter how many tis Valerian confronted her, she refused to speak. Her silence was a wall—impenetrable, infuriating. She would not confess, would not break.
Her defiance only grew worse. She refused to eat, refused to speak, refused to acknowledge her brother’s authority. She turned her room into a battlefield, smashing expensive vases, ripping curtains, overturning furniture—all in a desperate bid to provoke him.
And then she went too far.
The mont the news reached him, Valerian stord into her chambers. His expression emotionless, his anger contained beneath a mask of cold restraint. The scent of blood lingered in the air, faint but unmistakable. The servant had only been trying to persuade her to eat when she lashed out, the blade slicing too close, leaving a crimson trail against the pale skin.
"This is getting out of hand, Stephany," Valerian’s voice was steel, his patience spent.
She t his gaze with unshaken defiance, fire burning in her eyes. "I want out. You can’t keep locked up like so prisoner! I am every bit a Cross, just as much as you are!"
Valerian’s jaw tensed. "I told you—you’ll be free the mont you tell the truth. What did you do with the stolen items, Stephany?"
Her glare sharpened. "I told you, it wasn’t ! Why would I steal from the vault?"
Lies.
He could hear the falsehood in her voice, see the flicker of unease in her eyes. She was hiding sothing.
"Then why," he asked, voice deathly quiet, "did you have the key?"
Stephany’s heart pounded. She had been careful, but not careful enough. Damn it.
"I was protecting it," she insisted.
His expression darkened. "You’re lying."
She crossed her arms, standing her ground. "Then I can’t do anything if you refuse to believe . But how long are you going to keep locked up like this? I’m your sister, Valerian. Why are you treating like a prisoner? Like a criminal?" a tear slipped through her eyes.
Sothing in Valerian wavered. She had always been his weak.
Truthfully, he had wanted to let her go. A whole week had passed since she was confined, and he had nearly convinced himself to loosen his grip. But then—
"Prisoner?"
A slow, amused chuckle slithered into the room.
Stephany’s blood ran cold.
From the doorway, she stepped forward—Evelyn Night, dressed in flowing black, a ghost of a smile curling her lips.
"My dear Stephany," she crooned. "Do you truly believe you’re a prisoner? Locked in a grand chamber, surrounded by luxury, with als served to you daily? A soft bed, a private bath, every comfort imaginable?" Evelyn tilted her head. "Please, don’t insult those who actually suffer behind bars."
Stephany’s lips curled in disgust. "What are you doing here, witch? Who let you in?"
Evelyn’s smirk widened. She turned her gaze to Valerian expectantly.
And he—he looked away.
Stephany’s heart plumted.
"What is the aning of this?" she demanded. "Brother. Why is she here?"
Evelyn let out a small, delighted laugh. "Oh, dear. You truly don’t know?" Her eyes glittered with sothing sinister. "Your brother is growing rather impatient, you see. So he asked to . . . help."
The air turned razor-sharp.
Stephany’s breath hitched. "Help?"
Evelyn reached into the folds of her cloak and withdrew a small glass vial. The liquid inside shimred darkly, almost black in the dim light.
It was unmistakable.
A truth potion.
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