bChapter /b199

    ra’s POV

    I froze, every muscle in my body locking up.

    Lady Amara?

    The name was like a blow to my chest. Dorian had never mentioned her to me before. Who was she? His sister? A lover?

    stayed hidden, tucked behind the shadow of a bush, listening intently, heart hammering against my bribs/b.

    “How is Amara doing?” Dorian’s voice was surprisingly soft, as if he genuinely cared about her.

    The woman on the other end sighed deeply. “Not so well. She barely eats anymore, doesn’t leave her room. She still takes her medicine, but the doctor says her condition’s worsening…”

    The softness in Dorian’s voice vanished, reced by something colder. “I told you to take care of her! To keep me informed if she was getting worse. Did my words mean nothing to you?”

    The woman panicked. So did I.

    Dorian was always so kind, especially to his staff. This–this was new.

    I peeked through the leaves, just enough to see the woman fall to her knees, her voice trembling. “We… we wanted to tell you, but Lady Amara insisted you shouldn’t worry about her. She only wants you back, my king. When you return, I know she’ll get better.”

    Dorian sighed again, but this time it was full of frustration, irritation. “Next time, if anything happens to her, you let me know immediately. Do you understand? She’s my priority, above all else.”

    The woman slowly rose to her feet, her head still bowed. “I understand… But when will you be back, my king?”

    “A week, maybe less. I’ve just got to finish up with ra. As soon as she agrees toe home with me, I’ll head back.”

    My name?

    The shock jolted through me.

    “Has she agreed?” the woman asked, her voiceced with curiosity.

    Dorianughed lightly, his tone dripping with confidence. “Not yet. But she doesn’t have much of a choice. It’s either me or Thorne, She hates Thorne. She’lle around. It’s not like she’s stupid.”

    4wanted to scream

    “Of course. Your proposal will be the best thing that ever happens to her,” the woman chuckled. “And, about this Princess ra…”

    She hesitated.

    “What about her?” Duran’s voice had turned cold, almost dismissive

    “Lady Amara wants to know what she’ll be facing if everything goes as nned, she’ll be living with Princess ra… Rumour says ra’s hot tempered, rude, and urvelined Amare is delicate I’m worried she might-”

    10:11 Fri, 22 Aug O

    Dorian’s voice cut through her words like ice. “Amara has nothing to worry about. I’ll handle ra.”

    “But… the Princess, she’s a warrior! What if she draws her sword against-”

    Dorian’sugh was short, but chilling. “A sword in the Lycannds? No. ra won’t dare.”

    I could feel the blood drain from my face. A prisoner. That’s how they saw me.

    41%

    b38 /b

    And the part that hurt most? Dorian didn’t even bother to deny it when the woman called me “hot–tempered” and “ill–mannered.” Did he really think so little of me?

    It was all bing so clear. His words, his affections–they were nothing but lies. Lies meant to trap me.

    I took a slow, steadying breath, then stepped out of the shadows.

    “Don’t bother trying to keep me under control, Dorian,” I said, my voice steady, sharp. “Because I’m not going with you to the Lycan’snd.“.

    Both of them jerked around, surprised. Dorian’s eyes shed with momentary shock, then darkened with something else.

    “You’re back,” he said, his voice soft, almost… weing.

    He smiled, that charming smile that had once melted me. But now, it felt like a mask. Fake. Empty.

    “I’ve been looking all over for you. I brought the wine that Vessa wanted.”

    I stared at him, refusing to fall for it again..

    His smile didn’t reach his eyes. He was still trying.

    Ignoring himpletely, I turned to the woman. “What’s your name?”

    The woman flinched, her voice barely audible. “Fatima.”

    “Alright then, Fatima,” I said, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. “Go tell yourdy to rx. I’m not epting your king’s proposal, and I certainly won’t be living under the same roof as her.”

    I paused, letting the silence hang thick between us. Then I added, “And yes, I’m hot–tempered. No doubt. But lucky for yourdy, I’m not her problem.”

    Fatima cast a pleading nced at Dorian.

    “Leave bus/b,” he said, his voice cold.

    Traised an eyebrow. “There’s no need, King Dorian. I’ve already rejected your proposal. You can go home now.”

    Dorian’s jaw clenched, his face hardening into a mask of cold fury.

    He stepped closer to me, his hand outstretched I didn’t flinch, but I didn’t let him touch me either.

    “I can exin, re,” he said quietly.

    “No,” I replied firmly, the calmness in my voice surprising even me. “I’ve made up my mind. Thorne is my choice.”

    10:11 Fri, 22 Aug 0

    He stared at me, his gaze dark and empty. “You’re choosing Thorne? After everything he’s done to you?”

    ??41%.

    I didn’t hesitate. “At least I know that I’m the only woman he’s ever loved. And he’ll never speak ill of me behind my back.”

    “I didn’t say anything-”

    I cut him off, the words flowing faster than I could stop them. “Why do you want me so much, Dorian? Yes, there’s a bond between us. But if you love Amara, just… leave me alone. Take Cael and Vessa–they seem happy without a mate bond.”

    “I love you, ra,” Dorian said without hesitation. “I’ve been in love with you since the moment we met at the Grace Ruin.”

    The absurdity of it almost made meugh. If he really loved me, he wouldn’t speak of me like that. Behind my back.

    “Love? That’s a convenient word to manipte someone, Dorian,” I spat. “You’re a ma for women. But when ites to love, you’re a terrible liar.”

    He looked like he was about to explode, but instead, he rxed, his idle smile returning.

    “You think I’m lying to you? I’m hurt, ra,” he crossed his arms, his tone shifting to something… calmer, almost too controlled. “Every word, every confession… all real. As for Amara-”

    “I don’t care,” I interrupted. “I’m done with this. You’re still tangled up in your own mess.”

    He narrowed his eyes. “There’s still time before the wedding. Don’t rush this, ra. Give me another chance, let me prove my feelings to you.”

    “Seriously, don’t bother,” I said, my voice cold as ice. “A sick girl is waiting for you. You should go home.”

    The silence between us felt suffocating. His eyes hardened, the storm brewing beneath the surface. I could feel the tension, the crackling heat of his fury.

    But I wasn’t backing down.

    “Let’s end this, Dorian,” I said, stepping back, my voice filled with finality. “If you won’t reject me, I will,”

    I took a deep breath and said, “I, ra Manning, hereby reject Dorian.”

    bBut /bbefore I could finish, pain exploded in my neck.

    The world tilted as I copsed to the ground, my body trembling in shock.

    Dorian’s face appeared above me, his cold smile thest thing I saw before the darkness took over.

    “You’re making ia /imistake, ra, he murmured, his voice distant and chilling