Chapter 122\u00a0<\/p>\n
Third person POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
The night was beginning to wind down, but the palace hall still hummed with music and the soft murmur of conversation. All of the formalities were dealt with, and people were just enjoying the party now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie had taken refuge near one of the tall windows. Alaric and Cassian had kept her company for most of the night, but they needed to take advantage of the networking opportunity the party presented just as much as Nolan and Lance did.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both of them were keeping an eye on her, but they had been dragged into a conversation with the luna of a nearby territory who had concerns about the uptick in rogue activity near the border.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The rumors about Ellie had spread enough that everyone in attendance had heard some version of the story. This resulted in people watching her, but most being too nervous to approach her. Not because they feared her, specifically, but because they knew everyone else was watching.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie didn\u2019t mind that at all. She enjoyed having a little space at an event like this. The past few months had been so eventful that it was nice to feel like she could catch her breath for a moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEllie.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her name, spoken in a smooth baritone, drew her from her thoughts. She turned to find Kieran standing a few feet away, a glass of dark wine in hand, his expression polished to courtly perfection.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile was warm and charming, but there was something unreadable lurking in his gaze. Something intense that put her on edge immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He saw the slight change in her posture and recognized her unease. It made him smile just a bit wider.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKieran,\u201d she said cautiously, inclining her head. \u201cEnjoying the evening?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as one can, when most of the room is more interested in gossip than policy.\u201d He stepped closer, lowering his voice. \u201cAnd at the center of all that gossip, we find you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably. \u201cSo I\u2019ve noticed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re calling you the messenger of the goddess.\u201d His words were careful, probing. \u201cDo you believe it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hesitated, fingers brushing the fabric of her gown. \u201cI believe\u2026 I had a vision. But that doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m anyone\u2019s messenger. The goddess has never spoken to me, not directly. People are seeing what they want to see.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you blame them?\u201d he asked softly. \u201cWe\u2019re living in uncertain times. The idea of the goddess sending direct messages to us is comforting.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose so,\u201d she said reluctantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHave there been more incidents?\u201d His gaze sharpened. \u201cMore visions, more signs?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie bit her lip before answering, unwilling to lie outright. \u201cDreams. Strange ones. Fragments of faces I don\u2019t recognize, voices calling from far away. But I think they\u2019re just memories resurfacing, nothing divine. I\u2019ve been trying to piece together my past for a long time. It makes sense that things would come back now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran tilted his head, studying her with unnerving focus. \u201cYou dismiss them too quickly. Dreams, visions, signs \u2013it\u2019s all the same in the eyes of the people. Whether you believe it or not, they already do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She crossed her arms, suddenly irritated. \u201cAnd what if they\u2019re wrong? What if I\u2019m just me, and not some chosen\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0421\u043f\u043e\u0440\u043d\u0435 122\u00a0<\/p>\n
figure?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you\u2019ll disappoint them,\u201d Kieran said simply. \u201cAnd disappointment can be dangerous.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie fell silent, staring out at the gardens beyond the window. The truth in his words was undeniable, though she hated admitting it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran took a small sip of his wine before leaning closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. \u201cThe messenger of the goddess would be the most influential woman in the kingdom. Revered. But also envied, hunted, and vulnerable. She would need someone strong at her side to guard her, to help her navigate the politics and the dangers. Someone who can keep her safe when others would use her as a pawn.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The weight of his gaze pressed against her, and for a moment, Ellie felt her pulse quicken.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I suppose,\u201d she said lightly, masking her unease with humor, \u201cyou\u2019re volunteering for the role?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile curved, slow and deliberate. \u201cI could think of worse fates than being tied to the goddess\u2019s chosen messenger. Politically, it would be\u2026 advantageous. Personally, it would be pleasant.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She arched a brow. \u201cPleasant?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re beautiful, Ellie. Intelligent. Strong-willed. The kind of luna any alpha would be fortunate to stand beside.\u201d His tone was soft, but there was steel beneath it\u2014a deliberate contrast to Nolan\u2019s usual bluntness. \u201d Together, we would be unstoppable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie\u2019s heart stuttered. He was serious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m married,\u201d she pointed out firmly. Her arms crossed defensively over her chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but we both know you wish you weren\u2019t,\u201d Kieran said simply.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie narrowed her eyes at his words. He was referencing her plan to run away last year, the one she had confided in him in the hopes that he would help her escape. It raised her hackles and put her even more on edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThings change,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis didn\u2019t,\u201d he countered easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what, you\u2019re suggesting a political marriage to you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran didn\u2019t deny it. \u201cWhy not? The people already admire you. They would admire you more if you were allied with a man they trust. It would ensure your safety and secure my bid for the crown. Everyone wins.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She let out a short, incredulous laugh. \u201cYou make it sound so simple.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is simple,\u201d he said smoothly. \u201cPower is about perception. With you at my side, I gain legitimacy. With me at yours, you gain protection. Together, we gain control.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie shook her head, though a small part of her\u2014against her will-considered his words. \u201cYou don\u2019t know me well enough to say something like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know enough.\u201d His eyes lingered on her face, as though \u2018searching for cracks in her defenses. \u201cI know Nolan doesn\u2019t deserve you. I know you\u2019re stronger than anyone gives you credit for. And I know you\u2019ve been hurt, pushed aside, used. I wouldn\u2019t do that to you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her chest tightened. It was too much, too fast, and yet his words landed with disarming precision, brushing against wounds she tried to keep hidden.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 122\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you\u2019re offering is no different. You\u2019d be using me, too, for the influence. To take advantage of these ridiculous rumors.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut at least I\u2019m honest about my intentions. Besides that, I\u2019m not lying about my interest in you. Surely you feel it too. There\u2019s a spark between us, chemistry. It\u2019s the reason we\u2019re drawn together each time one of these little events is held,\u201d Kieran said, leaning just a little bit closer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should be careful,\u201d she said finally, forcing a smile she didn\u2019t feel. \u201cFlattery might work on some, but I\u2019m not so easily swayed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot flattery,\u201d Kieran said, setting his glass aside. His voice dropped to a low murmur, intimate despite the crowded hall. \u201cTruth. Think about it, Ellie. Think about what it would mean for you-for both of us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before she could respond, someone called his name from across the room. He gave her a slow bow, eyes never leaving hers, and then slipped back into the crowd with effortless grace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie stood rooted to the spot, her pulse still racing, her mind a tangle of disbelief and unease.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran was dangerous. She knew it. Nolan had warned her. And yet\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
His words lingered, stubborn as shadows.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A political marriage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And the terrifying thing was, it almost made sense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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