Chapter 118
Elvira
I decided to stay in the magical realm.
It’s been three days since Eden invited me to stay for the ball, and I have spent every moment pretending I’m not avoiding ef
He hasn’t made it easy, not with his smiles in the hallways…or how he throws harmless little comments that feel suspiciously like flirting.
“I like your shirt.”
“Nice hair.”
“Did you do something different with your lips?”
I’ve laughed at him more than once. By accident, of course. Those little piggy noises slip out before I can catch them sometimes, before I can remind myself this isn’t my Axel anymore.
And maybe it’s better that way. Better for him.
I never deserved him in the first place. A nice guy like him shouldn’t be with someone like me. The only thing I’m good at is letting people down, while Alex is loyal. It was a nightmare being mated to him since I knew I sooner or later would have wound up doing something stupid. And now that we are no longer bound by the mate bond, he is finally free to go his own way. Find someone better.
I tell myself this so many times a day that I almost believe it.
“Stop thinking about him,” I mutter to myself as I leave my room.
I’m hungry and letting the scent of bread lead me through a sunlit corridor. There’s a broom cleaning leaves from the floor on its own. A chandelier talking to a rug, but the second I walk past the enchanted things they grow silent.
Great, even the enchanted items seem to know I’m not worthy of staying here…
I try not to think too much about it and take a seat at the table the second I’m in the kitchen. Eden is already there and pouring tea into a cup. I haven’t given it much thought, but she truly looks like she belongs here now that she is a fae and not a shifter like me. Even her stature is perfect.
I wish Thad even half of her grace…
I sigh, which draws the attention of Liora, Eden’s personal hairdresser. She is sitting on the other side of the table and let me tell you, that woman is possibly the most charmingly nosy fae I’ve met so far. Even now she leans in like she is about to ask me what my secrets are, even when I’m just sighing.
“So, Elvira…” Liora drawls, slicing into a piece of fruit with surgical precision. “The ball. Have you decided on your dress yet?”
“Dresses aren’t really my thing.”
“Oh, nonsense. Everyone has a ‘thing‘ when it comes to the ball. Do you want dangerous elegance? Soft mystery? I can summon any style, any fabric. You could walk in looking like the moon decided to wear a body.”
1 huff a laugh despite myself. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“Then we start with inspiration,” she says matter–of–factly, spearing another bite of fruit. “We will talk after breakfast.”
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Chapter 118
“Maybe I will just hide behind one of those big potted plants instead.”
“Tempting, but no. Trust me, you would regret missing it,” she says with a wink. “Besides, someone might be expecting to cen you ther
I busy myself with my tea and ignore the implication.
I mean, why is everyone trying to marry me off?
A low, rhythmic thud pulls my attention toward the open window. The sound is followed by a grunt
When I glance outside, my breath stalls.
Axel. Shirtless, sunlit, muscles shifting like they are carved for this exact purpose. He trains with a handful of new recruits from the King’s Guard, moving with the kind of controlled power you can’t fake.
Every swing, every block is measured. Exact. It shouldn’t b
he hypnotic, but of course it is.
Beside me, Liora leans to peek out the window. “Oh my. And here I thought the stories about him were exaggerated.”
Heat crawls up my neck. “You’ve heard stories?”
“Mhm. All good ones,” she says with a sly smile. “And it seems the view lives up to the reputation.”
I don’t answer, but my eyes betray me. They catch on the flex of his shoulders, the sheen of sweat catching in the light. I’m not the only one looking, either. Half a dozen fae women gather near the training grounds, whispering and fanning themselves like they are watching a performance.
One leans against the fence, calling out something that makes him chuckle. My spoon scrapes across my plate too sharply, and I pretend it’s not because my stomach twists.
Something in my chest tightens.
I look away too quickly, muttering, “Guess he is popular.”
“Oh, those women flirting with him?” Liora waves a hand. “Comes with the territory of looking like a piece of cake. But you-” She tilts her head toward me with a grin that makes me instantly wary. “You’re not going to let them have all the fun, are you?”
“I’m not-”
“Perfect,” she interrupts, standing so quickly her chair scrapes back. “We will go watch the single dude up close. Great way to get inspired for your ball look.”
My stomach drops. “I don’t need-”
“Come on.” She is already heading for the door, her tone infuriatingly cheerful. “You can’t design the perfect dress without a little… scenery. And just like that, I’m on my feet, following her out of the dining hall and down the corridor.
The closer we get to the training grounds, the louder the sounds become. There is metal striking against wood, the grunt of impact, the barked orders of the training captain. When we step outside, sunlight floods my vision, and there he is. Axel. Moving like the fight is part of him, sweat running down his back, his focus sharp enough to cut glass.
Liora hums in appreciation beside me. “Now, this is inspiration.”
I tell myself I’m not jealous of the fae women gathered along the fence. Easier said than done. When one of them giggles a little too loudly at something Axel says, my jaw tightens.
21:43 Sat, 9 Aug
Chapter 118
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Does he have to be so popular???
I force my arms to cross loosely over my chest, but it doesn’t prevent my heart from skipping rope at the attention my ex–mate is getting
I want him.
I want him so badly!
I keep looking at him until his gaze catches mine. He smiles and then he wipes sweat from his brow with the back of his arm. It is way too deliberate to be casual. Bastard know he looks good doing it, but even if that is the case, my pulse still stumbles, and I hate myself for it. Liora nudges me. “Careful about looking at his teeth for too long. That kind of smile could make a girl do something reckless.”
She has no idea.
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