VIVIAN’s POV
The Queen doesn’t knock. The door bursts open before dawn even has the chance to paint the sky, and Queen Arinelle strides into my dormroom like a storm draped in silk.
“Vivian,” she says sharply. “Up. We leave within the hour.”
I sit up in my narrow bed, still half tangled in my blanket. “Leave, Your Majesty?”
“For a diplomatic meeting.” She moves briskly, brushing her golden hair over one shoulder, her tone clipped. “Duke Rueld requests my presence, and I’ve agreed. You’ll accompany me, of course.”
Something in me tightens. Duke Rueld. A man known across Verloren as powerful yet cruel enough to cut out a whole family tree just because one of the kids would sneeze in his direction. What business would the Queen have with that kind of man?
Is she preparing an alliance against King Darius?
I rise immediately, still, bowing my head. “At once, Your Majesty. Shall I prepare the carriage or the attendants first?”
“Both. The carriage leaves no later than sunrise. And, Vivian…” She glances at me over her shoulder, a sly glimmer in her eyes. “Lord Dani will ride with us. For protection.”
My throat tightens. “Lord Dani, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.” She smiles faintly, the sort of smile that means trouble. “A man of his skill will make an ideal escort. Surely you approve?”
“I—” I start carefully, “I only wonder if perhaps Captain Solomon would be better suited. He’s familiar with the Duke’s guards, and—”
The Queen cuts me off with a raised brow. “Why, Vivian. You sound almost… disturbed by the idea.”
“I only meant—”
She steps closer, eyes gleaming like sharp coins. “Or perhaps you’ve grown fond of him?”
The accusation hits like a slap. “Fond? Hardly, Your Majesty.”
She smirks, clearly amused by my composure. “How rare. A woman in this palace denying herself a little pleasure.”
“With respect,” I say coolly, “I have no interest in finding it among the Queen’s knights.”
“Mm.” She hums, unconvinced. “We’ll see.”
Then she turns on her heel, her silken train whispering across the floor as she leaves me standing there, jaw tight, blood pulsing hot beneath my skin.
The door closes behind her, and the silence she leaves is deafening.
***
When the world finally starts to brighten, I find my way to the temple.
Alastor’s voice echoes softly within the marble hall, reciting prayers for a young soldier kneeling before him. The air smells faintly of wax and incense. When the soldier leaves, I step forward.
He looks up, smiling faintly. “Vivian. You look troubled.”
“You always say that.”
“And I’m always right.”
I sigh. “The Queen’s leaving for Duke Rueld’s estate. She wants me with her.”
“Ah. The Duke.” Alastor folds his hands thoughtfully. “Powerful man. Dangerous, too. You’ll need to be cautious.”
“I always am.”
He tilts his head. “And what else?”
I hesitate. “Lord Dani’s coming with us.”
His smile widens, amused. “I thought as much.”
I glare at him. “Don’t start.”
“I haven’t said anything.”
“You’re thinking it.”
He laughs softly. “And what am I thinking, then?”
“That everyone seems determined to lecture me about feelings today.”
“Maybe they see what you don’t.”
“I see perfectly fine,” I snap.
He studies me gently. “You see duty, Vivian. You see danger. But when it comes to people… you look away.”
I cross my arms. “If that’s meant to sound poetic, it doesn’t.”
“Not poetic,” he says. “Just true.”
“I don’t have the luxury of entertaining emotions.”
“Ah,” he says quietly. “Then why do you sound like you’re convincing yourself?”
My patience thins. “I came here for advice, not riddles.”
“You came here for honesty,” he corrects. “So here it is: whatever this Lord Dani stirs in you—curiosity, irritation, fear—don’t bury it too deep. Even stone cracks under enough pressure.”
I glare at him, though my chest tightens with something I can’t name. “I don’t appreciate being psychoanalyzed by a man in robes.”
He chuckles. “Then you’d best go before I start quoting scripture.”
I turn sharply. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet you keep coming back.”
“Because you’re the only one in this palace who listens.”
“Exactly.”
That earns him a reluctant smile. “Goodbye, Alastor.”
“Goodbye, Vivian. And remember—feelings don’t make you weak.”
“They make you reckless,” I mutter, walking out before he can answer.
***
By the time the Queen’s entourage gathers, the sun barely peeks above the horizon. Horses stamp impatiently against the cobblestones. The Queen’s carriage gleams black and gold, drawn by two snow-white steeds.
I come slightly late. I went to check on Caden and Kaela before I’d depart. They were both sound asleep, and I know better than to rattle sleeping kids who already know too much pain.
Arinelle climbs inside without a glance back, draped in velvet and pride. A servant takes the reins, and I mount my own horse—a brown mare with a steady gait.
Then comes him.
Dani rides up beside me, his silver armor glinting faintly in the dawn. The sight of him sets something in me on edge.
“Lady Vivian,” he greets smoothly. “Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
“Not particularly.”
He grins. “You’re still angry with me.”
“I’m not angry. I’m occupied.”
“With what?”
“Surviving.”
He laughs, unbothered. “You make it sound like I’m a threat.”
“You’re not a threat,” I say. “You’re a distraction. Worse, you know it.”
He tilts his head. “And does that bother you?”
“It annoys me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Don’t.”
He only chuckles again, the sound low, like he enjoys pushing at every wall I build.
The first few hours pass in silence. The forest road stretches long and narrow, trees bending overhead to cast shifting shadows. The Queen’s carriage moves ahead, the rhythmic clatter of wheels filling the quiet.
I keep my gaze forward, hands tight on the reins.
Every so often, Dani rides closer. “You’ve been quiet all morning,” he says.
“I was hoping you’d take the hint.”
“I did,” he says cheerfully. “I just chose to ignore it.”
I exhale sharply through my nose. “You’re insufferable.”
“I’ve been told that before.”
“I believe it.”
He grins. “I think you like me more than you admit.”
I turn to glare at him. “I think you should ride ahead before I prove you wrong.”
He laughs again, utterly unshaken. Then—without warning—he tugs his reins and steers his horse right in front of mine, blocking the path.
“Lord Dani,” I hiss. “Move.”
“Not until we talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“There’s everything to talk about,” he counters, eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve been avoiding me like I carry the plague. If I’ve done something to offend you, say it.”
“You’ve done nothing,” I snap. “That’s the problem.”
He looks genuinely confused. “I beg your pardon?”
“You smile too much. You talk too easily. You fit too well. No man does that without purpose.”
Something flickers in his gaze—surprise, maybe even guilt—but it vanishes quickly. “You think I’m plotting something?”
“I think everyone is plotting something.”
“Even you?”
“Especially me.”
He studies me for a long moment, then softens. “I don’t mean you harm, Lady Vivian.”
“Good,” I say coldly. “Then step aside.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He sighs, the tension easing into a half-smile. “Fine. But I’d like us to be on better terms.”
“I’d like peace in Verloren,” I retort. “We can’t all have what we want.”
That earns a quiet laugh. “You’re impossible.”
“Thank you.”
With that, I nudge my horse forward, brushing past him. For a heartbeat, our knees nearly touch as the horses align. His hand twitches slightly toward me—as if he wants to stop me—but he doesn’t.
Part of me wishes he would.
I bury that part.
He lets me go.
We ride the rest of the way in silence, the wind whispering through the trees, the road stretching endlessly ahead.
And though I never once look back, I can feel his gaze on me, steady as a promise I don’t want to hear.