Chapter 63
I couldn’t sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, the glow of that petal haunted me–the warmth, the whispers, Alaric’s anger, his cold eyes warning me away. The way he’d suddenly pulled back from me left a sour feeling in my chest. I was used to people abandoning me, but this… this hurt in a different way.
Restless, I pulled on my training gear–a simple black tunic and fitted pants, and quietly slipped through the halls. The night air felt cool against my skin, calming my racing thoughts.
I entered the training hall, empty and lit by pale moonlight streaming through the high windows. Reaching for a wooden practice sword, I swung it once, twice, relishing the satisfying sound it made cutting through the silence.
“You know,” Knox’s voice drifted lazily from the doorway, “swords can’t fix everything.”
I turned sharply, breathing out slowly when I recognized him. “Maybe not. But it helps clear my mind.”
He chuckled softly, leaning against the doorframe, arms folded. “He’s avoiding you, isn’t he?”
tensed, swinging the sword again, harder. “Who?”
“Don’t insult my intelligence, princess. You know exactly who.”
I lowered the blade, sighing heavily. “Why does he keep doing this, Knox? One moment he’s… he’s there, like he cares, and the next he’s colder than ice.”
Knox studied me for a moment, his expression unusually serious. “Because he’s scared.”
I scoffed, “Scared? Of what? He’s the strongest man I’ve ever met. A king, a Lycan-”
“Of you.”
The words hung heavily between us, echoing softly in the empty hall. I blinked, feeling the weight of what he’d just said pressing down
on me.
“What does that even mean?” I asked quietly, gripping the sword until my knuckles whitened.
Knox stepped closer, looking genuinely conflicted. “It means you have the power to hurt him. And he knows it.”
I frowned, shaking my head slightly. “That doesn’t make sense. He’s made it clear enough that I’m nothing but a pawn-”
“Has he?” Knox interrupted softly. “Or has he made you believe it because it’s easier than admitting he cares?”
My heart skipped a painful beat. I wanted to deny it, push back, but the words caught in my throat.
“Every woman he’s ever let close has died,” Knox continued gently. “And each time, a part of him died with them. You don’t just represent a risk to his life, Liana. You represent a risk to his heart–and that terrifies him.”
I stared at Knox, speechless, my chest aching. “But he won’t even talk to me. He won’t explain-”
“Because if he did, he’d have to admit how much he wants you. And he can’t afford that vulnerability.”
My throat tightened, a bitter lump forming as my eyes blurred. “I’m not trying to hurt him, Knox,”
“I know that.” His voice was soothing. “But the curse doesn’t care. The moment he lets himself feel, it could consume him–and everyone around him. He’s spent years convincing himself he’s unlovable.”
I exhaled, frustration bubbling over. “And what am I supposed to do? Pretend like nothing’s wrong? Just wait around for him to decide if I’m worth the risk?”
Knox’s gaze softened. “No. Keep fighting. Keep pushing. Alaric expects you to give up, because that’s what everyone else has done.”
My voice bruke slightly. “And if I fail, Knox? If he pushes me away completely?”
Kaos ruled faintly. “He already tried. And yet, here you are, fighting for answers.”
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5:06 PM J
Chapter 63
I managed a shaky laugh, wiping my eyes. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not,” he said honestly. “But the best things never are.”
A long silence stretched between us, filled only by the distant hum of crickets and the whispering night breeze.
“Thank you,” I finally said softly. “For being honest.”
Knox shrugged lightly. “You deserve at least that.”
I set the wooden sword back on the rack, my mind calmer but still heavy. Knox glanced toward the window, his expression shifting slightly.
“I should let you rest. You have a long day ahead of you.”
I blinked. “Long day?”
He hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in his silver eyes. “No one told you?”
My stomach twisted sharply. “Told me what?”
At that moment, footsteps echoed down the hall. A young servant appeared in the doorway, her gaze nervous and hesitant.
“Lady Liana,” she said, bowing quickly. “Apologies for disturbing you so late.”
“It’s fine,” I said carefully. “What’s wrong?”
She bit her lip, avoiding my eyes. “The king instructed me to inform you….you’re leaving for the rebel lands at dawn.”
Shock coursed through me, quick and cold. “Dawn? But that’s-”
“Only hours away,” Knox finished for me, voice dark with disapproval.
The servant nodded meekly, clearly uncomfortable. “I was instructed to help you pack.”
My hands clenched tightly at my sides. Anger flared, raw and aching. He hadn’t even told me himself. Not even a warning.
Knox watched me carefully, his eyes soft with pity. “Liana-”
“No,” I interrupted bitterly, blinking back furious tears. “It’s fine. I should’ve expected this.”
I turned swiftly toward the door, every step fueled by hurt and confusion Knox called after me, concern in his voice, but I didn’t stop.
My thoughts raced faster than my heartbeat, repeating one painful truth:
Alaric was pushing me away again.
And maybe this time, I wouldn’t be strong enough to hold on.
I barely registered the walk back to my chambers. My mind was still spinning from the announcement. Dawn. Just a few hours away, and he couldn’t even tell me himself.
I pushed into my room, numb as I watched the servant quietly pull clothes and boots from the wardrobe. She glanced up nervously every few moments, clearly sensing my distress.
“You may leave,” I finally said quietly.
But Lady Liana, the king-
“I handle it,” I cut her off gently, forcing a small smile. “Thank you.”
She nodded quickly and slipped from the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
I sank to the edge of my bed, feeling the quiet close in around me. Frustration, anger, and something deeper churned in my chest. Kavor’s words echoed painfully,
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