Chapter 82
One would think he would have killed me by now.
Strangle me to death. But he didn’t. Funny enough, I wasn’t scared because I knew he won’t
He took a step forward, and before I could move back, his hand closed gently around my arm. Not rough, not tight. Just enough that I felt the weight of the moment press against my chest like a boulder.
“Why
(_” I swallowed, forcing the words out. “Why keep me here, then? Why not drag me into the court and scream traitor? Treason. That’s what this is, isn’t it? You could get me killed”
I
His fingers slid down to my wrist, his touch oddly warm. He leaned in, his voice brushing against my skin.
“I’d like to see you shoot,” he murmured, “and returned to your master. And then you can look him in the eyes and tell me who the true
villain is
der a moon? Or a man who w
His breath ghosted against my check. “An obsessed freak who curses his castle and kills women under a moon? better world?”
I stared at him, heart pounding. “Is that the ideology you fed Amira too?”
That made him pause,
The silence that followed was louder than anything he could’ve said.
His eyes didn’t waver, though. He didn’t deny it. Didn’t flinch.
“Amira..” he finally said, voice quieter now, “believes what she wants to believe. She wants power. She wants safety. She’s just smart enough to know both are found in kings, not rebels, And just stupid enough to not realize I don’t need either of you.”
“Then why keep as?”
“Because you.” he stepped even closer, are something different.”
I hated how close he was.
I hated how warm he made the air feel despite the night breeze.
Iisated that part of me.. didn’t want to step away.
He lifted a hand to my face, not touching me, just hovering there like he wasn’t sure. His thumb barely brushed my jaw, and something in my chest twisted.
“Why are you telling meall these?” I asked, unsure how to feel by his words.
“I told you. Want you to see the
My heart was beating too fast now as I tried to breathe.
“I should hate you,” I whispered.
His lips curved. “You probably do”
“I should fear you.”
“You already do”
My breath hitched.
“Tshould report everything you’ve said.”
“Then why haven’t you?” he asked softly
I didn’t answer
Because I didn’t know…
1/5
5.10 PM
Chapter 82
His hand finally touched my cheek. Not hard. Not possessive. Just soft and solid. A tether between everything I was supposed to do and everything I was starting to feel
And then-
He leaned in
Too close
Our lips barely apart.
And my eyes fluttered shut.
I breathe in his scent, ad he breathed in mine. I could smell the mint in his breath, the warmth from his hands against my skin.
I slowly gave my soul a-
“Your Highness!”
I jolted back, heart thudding.
Harden turned his head with an audible exhale, clearly irritated.
Amira stood at the edge of the courtyard, hands folded neatly, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as they landed on me.
“My apologies,” she said smoothly. “I didn’t know you were entertaining.”
Her gaze slid to me like I was something she stepped on
I stepped back instinctively, putting space between Harden and me.
He didn’t move.
He just said, “We were finished anyway.”
Finished.
Right
! turned my head slightly, trying to keep my face unreadable, even as something cracked open beneath my ribs.
“Lady Elena” Amira said, voice honey–sweet. “It’s late. Don’t you have chares
I didn’t answer her.
Couldn’t
My lips still burned. My heart still raced.
I dipped my head to Harden instead. “Good night. Your Highness.”
He didn’t reply.
Not with words.
Just watched me leave.
And I hated that I wanted to look back.
My foutsteps echoed too londly against the stone.
I didn’t know where I was going. I just kept walking. Past the east garden, past the marble corridor with its golden–framed mirrors, past the maids ignored when they bowed.
The air felt hot. My face hotter.
I couldn’t breathe right. My chest was too full of things I didn’t want to name. I should’ve felt triumphant. I was in deep now, right where Ada wanted me Close Closer Trusted.
Chapter 82
But all I could think about was how warm his hand had been on my cheek.
I pressed my fingers to my lips, then yanked them away like I’d burned myself.
Stupid
This was stupid.
I should’ve pulled away. I should’ve said something cruel. Something forgettable. Something sharp and cutting and clean. But I didn’t. Because when he looked at me like that…when he said my name-
He knew. He knew who I was. And still, he didn’t call me out. Didn’t throw me to his guards. Didn’t kill me.
What does that mean?
What am I to him?
I shook my head and forced myself to stop walking. I was near the back wing now, close to the kitchens. A servant brushed past me with a basket of linens. I didn’t even look at her. My thoughts were a mess, jumbled like too many threads in a tight knot I couldn’t pull apart.
He almost kissed me.
Again
And worse than that, I’d let him.
I leaned against the cold wall, covering my face with my hands.
This wasn’t the mission.
This wasn’t what Alaric sent me for.
I wasn’t supposed to feel anything. I wasn’t supposed to listen to the way his voice softened or track the way his mouth moved when he smiled. I wasn’t supposed to care that he talked about a better world or that he didn’t want to wear his crown.
Alaric wore his pain like armor. Harden wore his like a ghost he couldn’t shake
And
I was stuck between them.
What if I fall both of them?
My hands dropped to my sides. I stared down at my own fingers. I didn’t feel like a spy. I didn’t feel like a Luna. I just felt like a girl who was in too deep.
love your head
“Laana.” I whispered to myself. “You don’t have time to lose your
I pushed off the wall and headed back to the servant’s quarters. No wait my new room.. I needed sleep. I needed to clear my mind. But as I slipped past the final hallway and opened the door to my room-
I already knew.
Sleep wasn’t coming tonight.
Because every time I closed my eyes…
I saw his.
Harden’s POV
I watched her leave.
I should’ve called her back. Should’ve said something anything. But my jaw was locked, my hands clenched, and all I could do was watch her go–like I’d done with every other good thing in my life.
Damn it
Π
5:10PM c
Chapter 82
I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. She wasn’t supposed to mean anything.
But she did.
Every step she took away from me felt like something sharp dragging across my ribs.
“She’s a maid,” Amira said beside me, voice light, too light for how fast her eyes were darting between me and the path Liana had taken. “You know that, right?”
I didn’t answer.
Because it wasn’t true–and we both knew it
“She’s just a girl who got lucky,” Amira pushed, stepping closer. “Why are you letting her get under your skin?”
Sull, I didn’t speak. My gaze was locked on
the
empty space Liana had left behind. My chest wouldn’t stop tightening
Amira scoffed. “Of course. Ignore me again.”
She circled around to face me, her eyes flashing with something that was way too close to jealousy. “I hate this. You promised me things. Harden Harden. Attention Position. Power. And ever since I got here, you’ve done nothing but–ignore me.
My jaw tightened
“You failed,” I said bluntly.
Her mouth parted, like she’d been slapped. “Excuse me?”
“You promised information. Secrets. Leverage on Alaric. What did you bring?” I asked, voice low and sharp. “Nothing valuable. Just whispers and old rumors
Amira’s eyes narrowed. “Because I didn’t stay long enough! He sent me off to the South–remember? This mission? You assigned it.”
I turned away from her, the ache in my chest growing.
Amira grabbed my arm. “You’re punishing me for your own mistake. I wanted to stay, I could’ve given you everything if you’d let me. But instead, you send me into the lion’s den and blame me for not coming back with his head on a spike?”
“You played the game, Amira. And you lost.”
“Because you distracted me!” she hissed. “With promises. With looks. With things I thought meant something.”
“They didn’t.” I said coldly. “Also don’t forget. You’re a mated woman‘
Her face crumpled for a second–but then she straightened, fury overtaking whatever softness was left.
“Then don’t blame me when she ruins you,” Amira spat. “You think she’s |
1
I looked at her then, really looked.
“You’re projecting. She’s not you.”
Amira flinched.
‘s loyal? You think she came here for you? You’re a fool, Harden.”
And maybe I’d regret saying it later. But right now, all I could feel was the way Liana’s eyes had looked wide and confused and angry- and the way her lips had trembled just slightly after I pulled back.
I hadn’t wanted to stop.
But I couldn’t kiss her. Not when I didn’t know what the hell she really wanted. Not when I wasn’t sure if I was the mission or the man
“She’s dangerous.” Amira wamed
“So am 1. I muttered
Then I turned and lef Amira standing alone under the fading moonlight.
G
