Chapter 51
I bit my lips. “Indeed, I do want revenge.”
Alaric cocked his head to the side, studying me with those sharp, knowing eyes. “So what’s the problem?”
The problem?
I clenched my fingers in my lap, my thoughts tangled. I should have been filled with fire, brimming with the same relentless hatred I had always carried for Amira. But the truth had fractured everything I thought I knew. She wasn’t my blood. She never had been.
I swallowed hard, refusing to look away from him. “Nothing.”
His lips curved slightly. Not quite a smirk, not quite a smile. “Lying doesn’t suit you.”
I huffed, irritated by how easily he saw through me.
He shifted slightly, his fingers brushing under my chin–a touch so light I almost thought I imagined it. “You’re hesitating.”
I stiffened, but he didn’t move away. He just studied me, as if he were trying to understand me in ways even I couldn’t.
I exhaled slowly. “I just-
He raised a brow, waiting.
I let out a small, bitter laugh. “I suppose I expected it to feel different. Finding out she wasn’t really my sister. I thought… I don’t know.”
“That it would make things easier?”
I nodded.
I had spent my whole life hating her. Wishing for the day I could make her suffer the way she had made me. But now, the truth had shattered everything. She was never meant to be my sister.
What did that mean for me?
Alaric sighed, reaching out. His fingers caught my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You’re thinking too much.”
I stiffened at his touch, but I didn’t pull away. His grip was firm, steady—like he was anchoring me back to the present. His thumb brushed lightly against my jaw, and I swallowed hard.
His voice dropped lower, more intimate. “You wanted revenge before you knew the truth. What has changed?”
! sucked in a shaky breath. “I—”
He didn’t let me finish.
His other hand came up, brushing a stray tear from my cheek. His touch was gentle, warm–so unlike the ruthless King everyone feared. “She still took everything from you. Your childhood. Your home. Your freedom.”
He was right.
Amira may not have been my sister by blood, but she had still been the cause of all my suffering. My fingers clenched against my thighs, my breathing uneven.
Alaric smirked. “That’s more like it”
1 frowned. “What
He leaned in, his lips just inches from mine. His scent wrapped around me, dark and intoxicating. “That fire. That’s what I want to see You were made for more than tears, Liana.”
He was silent for a moment, his fingers still barely touching my chin before he finally pulled away.
Then he stood up
My ger followed him as he stretched, rolling his shoulders like he carried something heavier than just the weight of his title
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Chapter 51
“Come,” he said simply.
I frowned. “Come where?”
He turned, and there it was–that wicked glint in his eyes, the one that told me I wasn’t about to like his answer.
“Horse riding.”
I scoffed. “Again?”
He folded his arms. “You’ll need to be good with your horse riding skills before you leave for the mission.”
My stomach twisted at the reminder, but I forced myself to focus on anything else. “I don’t see why I need to be excellent at horse riding to act as a spy.”
His smirk deepened. “Would you rather walk all the way to the rebel King’s land?”
I scowled. “That’s not what I meant.”
His expression softened slightly, but his amusement didn’t fade. “Come on.”
narrowed my eyes. “You want me to come with you only for you to treat me like a stranger at the end of the day?”
He chuckled, low and deep. “That won’t happen.”
I didn’t believe him.
And yet I stood up.
He didn’t move as I stepped beside him, but I felt the way his gaze followed my every movement.
It made my breath unsteady.
It made something coil too tightly inside me.
But I refused to acknowledge it.
Instead, I lifted my chin, my voice calm, steady. “Fine. But if you throw me off like a stranger, I’m poisoning your next meal.”
Alaric laughed.
Not his usual cold, mocking chuckle.
A real, deep, genuine laugh.
The sound of it sent something warm and unfamiliar through me.
And I hated how much I liked it.
I stepped into my chambers, exhaling slowly. I refused to dwell on the way my skin still tingled from Alaric’s laughter or the way his vosce curled around me like smoke
Instead, I focused on the task at hand. Changing
I pulled open my wardrobe, scanning the options. Most of the dresses were far too elegant for riding, made of delicate silks arul laces that would only get ruined. But tucked in the back was something simpler–a deep crimson riding tunic that cinched at my waist, paired with beach fitted fromers that allowed case of movement.
I pulled it on quickly, fastening the small gold clasps at the neck before reaching for my riding gloves Soft leather, dark and well worn
The future bougged any brands sugly as 1 Besed my fingers.
ull
In dorp toets shaking the wrong serves curling in my stomach, before stepping out into the half
Alure was piready waning now the mutiles, leaning against the wooden railing like he has all the patience in the world Alary kinoming werk glæpast sah tiga tuis eyra swept over the
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Chapter 51
His gaze lingered just a second too long.
Lignored the way my skin burned under his attention
“Not bad,” he mused.
I lifted a brow. “I wasn’t aware I was here for your approval”
He chuckled. “You’re always here for my approval”
I scoffed. “Arrogant.”
He merely smirked, pushing off the railing. “Come on, princess”
I frowned but followed him into the stables. The air was thick with the scent of fresh hay and leather, the soft huffs of horses filling the
Брасе,
Alaric led me toward a familiar chestnut mare the same one I had struggled with the last time,
I exhaled slowly. This time, I would get it right.
I placed a gloved hand on the saddle, gripping tightly as I lifted myself up. My foot barely found the stirrup before-
I slipped.
A strong arm snaked around my waist, catching me before I could make a complete fool of myself.
Alaric.
His body was too close, too solid,
His breath fanned against my ear as he chuckled, low and rich.
I clenched my jaw. “It’s not funny.”
He hummed, the amusement never leaving his voice, “It is a little funny,”
I glared,
He grinned. Helping me up to climb the mare, I adjusted myself.
“You seem cheerful,” I said, adjusting my gloves as I tried once again to get my horse to move.
Alaric mounted his own stallion with ease, his movements fluid, practiced. His horse barely made a sound, already obedient under his
touch.
1, on the other hand, was struggling.
My mare refused to move
She simply stood there, flicking her tall, clearly unimpressed with my presence.
I huffed, tightening my grip on the reins, “Move”
Nothing
Alaric exhaled a laugh “She doesn’t respect you”
1 shot him a look “She’s a horse,”
“She’s a stubborn hume,” he corrected. “And she knows you’re just as stubborn You’re clashing.”
1 deuched my jaw Great. Now I was being analyzed by a byean king and a horse.
Alaric sighed, mudging his own horse forward until he was besile me. Without a word, he reached out, his gloved fingers brushing over roine as he adjusted the reine
The warmths of his touch startled me.
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Chapter 51
“Ease up,” he murmured. “You’re holding too tightly.”
I swallowed, trying to ignore how close he was, how his presence felt entirely too much.
“Like this?” I asked.
He nodded. “Better.”
I exhaled, relaxing my grip, and–finally–the horse moved.
I nearly sagged in relief, but I caught Alaric’s smirk and straightened immediately.
“You’re enjoying this,” I accused.
“A little bit,” he admitted, before nudging his horse forward.
I scowled, but I followed.
x15
For a while, we simply rode in silence, the rhythm of hoofbeats filling the space between us. The sun was higher now, warm against my skin, but the cool breeze made the ride bearable.
Then, finally, I spoke.
“What’s your plan about this rebel king situation?”
Alaric’s expression hardened. His amusement faded instantly.
“The rebel king is suspicious,” he said, voice controlled. “After all, he proposed a truce.”
I frowned. “And?”
“And he sent people here for discussions,” Alaric continued. “Even planned designs and trade routes. Wanted us to even hold som damn celebration. But then-”
He paused.
“Then what?”
His jaw tightened.
“Then he canceled.”
I blinked. “He canceled?”
Alaric nodded once. “At the last minute. With no warning.”
That was suspicious. A rebel king, suddenly willing to talk peace, only to back out without explanation? It didn’t make sense.
“Why?” I asked.
“That’s what I need to figure out.” His grip on the reins tightened slightly. “And that’s why Amira is suspicious, too.”
I stilled.
Alaric’s cold, calculating gaze met mine,
“She came here during the time the rebel king attacked us. That’s not a coincidence.”
I swallowed. “So you think she’s involved?”
He exhaled sharply, looking forward again. “I think she’s a liability. Which is why I want you to watch her.”
Thesitated, my fingers curling against the leather of the reins.
Alaric glanced at me. This may be a good chance for your revenge on her.”
Something in my chest tightened.
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Chapter 51
He continued. “Whether she’s your blood sister or not–it doesn’t change anything. She still destroyed your life. She still wants you gone.”
I nodded, my voice quieter this time. “I understand.”
Silence stretched between us again.
Then-
“You seem pissed,” I said, eyeing the way his shoulders remained tense.
His jaw clenched. “I am.”
I raised a brow. “Why?”
His fingers curled against h
is reins, his tone sharp.
“I hate being confused.”
looked at him carefully then, studying the sharp angles of his face, the way his mouth wasn’t quite in a scowl, but wasn’t relaxed either.
Something was bothering him.
I bit my lips before asking, “What’s…wrong?”
