Chapter 5 The Performance

Lila stood in the throne room, watching Adrian and Celeste receive foreign dignitaries.

The Queen wore crimson silk. Adrian was in full royal regalia, black leather, silver wolves embroidered across his chest. They looked powerful together. United.

It was all performance.

Lila had learned to read the subtle signs. The way Adrian's jaw tightened when Celeste touched him. The way Celeste's smile never quite reached her eyes. The careful distance they maintained even while standing side by side.

A loveless marriage, wrapped in pretty lies.

"The Hartwell girl," someone whispered behind Lila. "Why is she still here?"

"Charity, probably. The Queen feels sorry for her."

"I heard the King insisted she stay. Strange, don't you think?"

The whispers followed Lila everywhere now.

After the reception, Celeste summoned her to the Queen's chambers.

"There's a ball in three days," Celeste announced without preamble. "You'll attend."

"I thought you wanted me invisible."

"I do. But Mother sent a letter. Apparently, rumors are spreading that I'm keeping you locked away." Celeste's expression was sour. "So you'll attend the ball, smile prettily, and prove I'm a generous sister."

"Of course."

"Wear something plain. And for Moon's sake, don't dance with anyone important." Celeste turned to her mirror. "Actually, don't dance at all. Just stand in a corner and look grateful."

Lila left before her sister could see the tears forming.

---

The ball arrived too quickly.

Maya helped Lila dress in a simple gown—pale blue, high-necked, nothing remarkable. Her hair was pulled into a severe bun. No jewelry except a single pendant that had belonged to her grandmother.

"You look lovely," Maya said kindly.

"I look forgettable. Which is the point."

The ballroom glittered with nobility. Crystal chandeliers dripped light across polished marble. Musicians played in the corner. Servants circulated with champagne.

Celeste held court in emerald silk, laughing with visiting princes and duchesses. Adrian stood nearby, playing the attentive husband.

Lila found her corner and became invisible.

Two hours passed. Nobles danced. Gossip flowed. Lila's feet ached in her uncomfortable shoes.

"Lady Lila."

She turned to find a young lord bowing. "Lord Nath, isn't it?"

"You remember." He smiled. "Would you care to dance?"

"I shouldn't.."

"One dance won't hurt."

Before Lila could refuse again, another voice interrupted.

"I believe Lady Lila promised this dance to me."

Adrian appeared at her elbow, ice-blue eyes locked on Lord Nath with unmistakable warning.

The young lord paled. "Of course, Your Majesty. My apologies."

He fled.

Adrian offered his hand. "Shall we?"

Lila's heart was racing. "Your rules…"

"One dance." His voice was low, dangerous. "My wolf has watched three different males approach you tonight. If I don't touch you soon, I'm going to start killing people."

The mate bond was screaming between them.

Lila took his hand.

The moment they touched, electricity shot through her. Adrian led her onto the dance floor as a waltz began.

His hand settled on her waist, burning through fabric. His scent surrounded her—pine and snow and barely controlled violence.

"This is a mistake," Lila breathed.

"I know."

"Everyone's watching."

"I don't care."

He pulled her closer than proper. Close enough that she felt his heartbeat. Close enough that the bond sang with desperate joy.

They moved together perfectly. Like they'd been dancing for years instead of seconds.

"You look beautiful tonight," Adrian said quietly.

"I look plain. Celeste made sure of it."

"You could wear rags and still be the most beautiful woman in this room."

The words hit her chest like arrows.

"Don't say things like that," Lila whispered. "It makes this harder."

"Everything about this is hard." Adrian spun her, pulling her even closer on the return. "But for three minutes, I get to hold my mate. Let me have that."

Across the ballroom, Lila saw Celeste watching. Her sister's face was twisted with something dark. Jealousy. Rage. Understanding.

"She knows," Lila said. "She's figured it out."

"No." Adrian's grip tightened. "She suspects. There's a difference."

The music swelled toward its crescendo. Adrian's thumb traced small circles on Lila's waist, the touch sending shivers through her.

"I can't breathe when you touch me," she admitted.

"I can't breathe when I don't."

The song ended too soon.

Adrian released her immediately, stepping back. His face returned to that neutral mask he wore so well.

"Thank you for the dance, Lady Lila."

Formal. Distant. Like he hadn't just confessed something devastating.

"Your Majesty." Lila curtsied, playing her part.

He walked away, returning to Celeste's side.

Lila made it to the gardens before her legs gave out.

---

She was sitting on a stone bench when Celeste found her.

"That was quite a performance." The Queen's voice dripped venom.

Lila stood. "He asked. I couldn't refuse the King."

"Couldn't you?" Celeste moved closer. "Or didn't want to?"

"Celeste…"

"I'm not blind, Lila. I see how he looks at you. How you look at him." Her eyes were hard. "What I don't understand is why. You're nothing special. You're plain, awkward, forgettable. What could he possibly see in you?"

Each word was a knife.

"There's nothing between us," Lila said.

"Liar." Celeste's hand shot out, gripping Lila's wrist painfully. "I don't know what game you're playing, but it ends now. Stay away from my husband. Stop attending events. Stop making him notice you."

"I'm not doing anything…"

"You're breathing." Celeste released her with a shove. "And apparently, that's enough."

She turned to leave, then paused.

"I'm going to ask Adrian to send you away. To Moonstone Province or further. I don't care." Celeste looked back over her shoulder. "And if he refuses? Then I'll know for certain that you've seduced my husband. And I'll make sure the entire kingdom knows it too."

She swept away in a rustle of silk.

Lila sank back onto the bench, shaking.

Through the bond, she felt Adrian's sudden spike of awareness. He'd felt her distress.

Minutes later, he appeared in the garden.

"What happened?"

"Celeste knows." Lila looked up at him. "She's going to make you send me away. And if you refuse, she'll accuse me of seducing you."

Adrian's expression went dark. Dangerous.

"She can't…"

"She can." Lila stood. "She's the Queen. I'm nobody. Who do you think they'll believe?"

Silence stretched between them.

"I won't let her hurt you," Adrian finally said.

"You can't stop her." Lila's voice broke. "You have to choose, Adrian. Your wife or your mate. Your duty or your happiness. The kingdom or me."

"Lila…"

"Choose."

Adrian looked at her with such devastation that Lila almost took the words back.

"You know what I have to choose," he said quietly.

"Then choose it. Send me away. End this before it destroys us both."

Adrian's hands clenched into fists. "One month."

"What?"

"Give me one month to find a solution. Some way to keep you safe and close without destroying everything." His eyes pleaded. "One month, Lila. Then if I can't fix this, I'll let you go."

It was cruel to hope. But Lila found herself nodding anyway.

"One month."

Adrian looked like he wanted to touch her. To pull her into his arms and never let go.

Instead, he stepped back.

"Stay away from balls. From public ev

ents. From anywhere Celeste might see us together." His voice was rough. "I'll figure this out."

He left her alone in the garden with rain beginning to fall and one month hanging between them like a fragile thread.