Chapter 64

Bianca visits Lila in the afternoon, her eyes already rimmed red with unshed tears. Her voice trembles as she approaches her friend. She doesn't waste time with pleasantries.

“I think I’m losing him,” she says, her voice soft, cracking in places. “Kaine doesn’t look at me the same. He hardly speaks to me, and he hasn’t said a word about rescheduling the engagement banquet.”

Lila’s expression shifts from surprise to sympathy. She sets her drawing aside and gestures for Bianca to sit. “There’s been a lot going on lately,” she says gently. “The palace has been under stress. Maybe it’s not personal.”

Bianca sits down, dabbing at her eyes with a cloth. “I know. I’ve tried to be understanding. I’ve stayed out of the way, given him space, done everything right, but I still feel him pulling away. I don’t know what I did wrong.”

Lila offers her a small smile, attempting comfort. “Maybe you didn’t. These things happen sometimes. He’s under pressure.”

Bianca leans forward slightly, lowering her voice. “I think I know what’s wrong. I think he’s forgotten what we are to each other.”

Lila’s looks confused for a moment, but gestures for Bianca to continue.

“I have a plan to remind him. It’s not serious, nothing dangerous. Just a small nudge to help him let go of whatever’s been weighing on him.”

Bianca reaches into her coat and pulls out a small glass vial. The liquid inside is pale amber. She holds it out, her hand steady.

“I want you to pour this into his tea tonight. Just a few drops. It’s very mild. It will help him relax. That’s all.”

Lila stares at the vial. “Bianca…”

“I know how it sounds,” Bianca says quickly. “But I’m not trying to manipulate him. I just want to help him feel better. To remember what we have.”

“It feels wrong,” Lila says, still eyeing the vial with uncertainty. “If he’s your mate, he should come to you on his own.”

Bianca places her hand over Lila’s. “He is my mate. He’s just confused. I love him. I’m doing this for both of us.”

Lila hesitates, glancing at the vial again. Her shoulders tense.

Eventually, she nods.

Bianca smiles through her tears and gently presses the vial into Lila’s hand.

“Thank you. You’re helping bring him back to himself.”

Lila doesn’t answer.

As she leaves, Bianca smiles. She walks back to her room with purpose, her tears long gone.

This will work. Once Kaine sleeps with her, the rest will fall into place. A pregnancy can be faked. The banquet will be rescheduled. The wedding will follow. Ember will be irrelevant.

Everything will be exactly as it should have been all along.

Kaine

The tea is warm in my hands. Lila handed it to me without fanfare, saying it was to help me sleep. She’s always looking out for me.

I continue to work, but after a few minutes, I lose focus and push the papers away. Something feels different. Not painful, just… different.

My body heats unnaturally, like an invisible sun is burning beneath my skin. My pulse quickens. The room spins slightly when I stand, so I sit again, trying to breathe through the sensation.

Everything feels heightened, the lights too bright, my breath too loud, my skin too sensitive. I force a breath, grounding myself, but it doesn’t help.

The door opens.

Bianca steps in, her eyes scanning my face.

“Kaine?” she says, moving closer. “You don’t look well.”

I don’t respond.

She reaches me, placing a hand lightly on my arm. “You’re warm,” she murmurs. “You’ve been working too hard.”

I still don’t answer. I can’t find the words. My mind is distracted by the sensations coursing through my body as I clench my fists and inhale again.

Bianca kneels beside me. “It’s alright,” she says. “I’m here. Just relax.”

She leans in and kisses me. At first, I don’t move but then something inside me shifts and I’m not just burning. I’m burning for her.

I lean in desperate to taste more of her. Her mouth is warm, persistent, and my body reacts without a thought.

Then, Rafe stirs. He pushes forward, not with desire, but with alarm. The jolt hits me like a bucket of ice. Something’s wrong.

I jerk back. I don’t speak. I don’t look at Bianca. I stand abruptly, struggling against the desire I feel for her, my mate.

I walk out in silence, leaving her behind. My body still burns. Every nerve is screaming.

I make it to my office quickly closing the door behind me. The lack of release is almost unbearable. I slump into the chair and grip the edge of the desk, knuckles white, trying to ride it out.

Ember

The sun has long since set by the time I leave the training grounds. My body aches exertion, but it helps keep my mind off of Kaine. My injury is doing better and my ribs don’t scream like they did days ago. I can move with more freedom.

I head back into the main palace and I’m halfway down the corridor when one of the junior guards jogs toward me, flustered.

“Captain Ember. I’m sorry. I’m supposed to deliver this to Prince Kaine, but I’m already late for patrol.” He holds out a folder.

“I’ll take it,” I say, nodding. “You’re dismissed.”

He salutes and hurries off. Kaine’s office is on the same wing. I walk there quickly, folder tucked under my arm.

I knock, but there’s no answer. I pause, listening. I hear something inside, a groan.

I knock again. No response. I make the call to enter anyway, Kaine could be in trouble. Slowly, I push open the door.

Kaine is inside, standing near the desk. His jacket is off, his shirt clinging to his chest. His breathing is sharp, uneven.

He turns at the sound of the door. His eyes lock on mine.

“Kaine?” I say, stepping in cautiously. “Are you alright?”

He doesn’t speak, instead he strides across the room, pulling the door shut, trapping me between him and the exit.

His eyes are darker than usual, unfocused, but there’s no mistaking the look in them. I feel the rise and fall of his chest and can’t help but breathe in his now familiar scent. My entire body reacts to it and the bond practically sings at the proximity.

His hands grip my waist, and I inhale sharply.

I should step back.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” I ask again, softer now.

He shakes his head slightly. “I don’t know.” His voice is low, hoarse.

His hands don’t move. I can feel the warmth of his palms even through the fabric. Desire pools low in my stomach, and I can feel the bond pushing me to take that step.

I remember the night we met, and the first time he touched me. I remember the way I melted against him and let myself go.

I remember our kiss, the one I’ve tried not to think about, tried not to feel. His mouth is on mine before I can stop him. I don’t pull away.

The kiss is hot and aching, and it feels like the culmination of all the tension that has built since I set foot in the palace. His hands frame my face. Mine slide up to his shoulders.

I don’t know who moves first, but we find the desk behind us and push the folders aside. Papers slide off, forgotten. He lifts me easily, settling me on the edge, his mouth trailing down my throat.

I gasp and curl my fingers in his shirt. His lips find my collarbone and the bond sings so intensely I almost cry out.

I reach for his face, pulling him back to my lips. We move quickly, as if making up for lost time. I moan as his tongue slides into my mouth.

My uniform jacket hits the floor. My shirt comes next, then his. He doesn’t stop. Neither do I.

He pushes inside me in one smooth thrust. I wrap my arms around him, letting out a sound that’s half pain, half relief. He groans low against my neck.

Our rhythm builds fast, rough, desperate. I arch into him and the desk creaks beneath us.

Everything disappears, the palace, the guard, the weight we both carry. There is only him, only us.

His hand grips my hip tighter as we climb together. My legs tighten around his waist.

When we break, it’s silent. He holds me a moment longer.

When he lets go his hands tremble slightly. Something feels off, disconnected. His eyes meet mine, and I don’t know what he sees.

I slide off the desk, breath still unsteady. Neither of us speaks as I gather my clothes from the floor and dress. He doesn’t stop me as I walk out.