Not This Time,My Lord

en- a knock. Not soft. Not nervous like a maid. Firm. Familiar. She didn't even turn. "Come in." The door creaked open. Her stepmother walked in-violet robe, black crows sti

you see her now?" "Why her?" Elaria stood still while her attendants fussed around her. Pearls twisted into her hair. Silver rings slid onto her fingers. A veil so sheer it looked like mist pinned to her shoulders. Then she saw herself in the tall mirror. She barely recognized the girl staring back. Not soft. Not small. She looked like a threat wrapped in silk. "I'd marry me," said a voice behind her. Elaria turned. Ango was already inside, barefoot, holding a peach she'd stolen from somewhere, juice running down her wrist. "They've got you dressed like the answer to every problem this kingdom's too scared to name," she said. Elaria almost laughed. "You're not supposed to be in here." "I'm not supposed to be a lot of things," Ango said, flopping onto the bed like she owned it. "So. What's the plan? Dramatic altar escape? Or mysterious bride with secrets?" Elaria shrugged. "Still deciding." "Either way," Ango grinned, "I want front row seats." She wasn't loud. Or silly. She just got it. Sharp tongue. Sharp eyes. The kind of funny that comes from watching too much and saying too little. And for the first time that day, Elaria didn't feel like she was drowning. - Dusk fell. The Moon Garden opened like a secret carved into the cliffs, stars overhead, moon full and bright like it was watching. Elaria stepped out. The crowd turned. Gasps. Murmurs. Eyes everywhere. But Kael didn't move. He stood at the end of the garden, dressed in black, silver threaded through like moonlight. His face unreadable. Still. But the way he looked at her- not soft. Not cold. Something in between. Like he saw something dangerous. She walked to him slowly. Halfway down the path- a jolt. The sigil. The one from the forbidden book. It flashed behind her eyes, just for a second. She staggered. Barely. Kael stepped forward instantly, caught her by the arm. "Are you alright?" "Yes," she breathed. "Just lightheaded." His hand stayed a second too long. Warm. Grounding. And his eyes- they didn't look away. Like he felt it too. Across the garden, Seren's smile twitched. She squeezed her goblet too tight. Lady Mira leaned toward her daughter. "Oh dear," she whispered. "Was that a stumble?" Ango, biting into her second peach, didn't even look. "Nah. Felt like a power move." Mira smirked. "She knows what she's doing." At the al