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A knock at the door made me jump, and I found I was alone in my room. Ana was not present, and the book I had been writing in was gone.

I’d had many moments in this palace where I had visions of the past, but this was the first one I’d had aboutThe Book of Dis.

My heart beat heavily in my chest as I tried to process what I had witnessed, but I was once again interrupted by a second knock at the door.

“My queen?”

“Fuck,” I said under my breath and rose from my place to open the door.

Violeta and Vesna had arrived to help me prepare for the day.

“My queen!” Violeta exclaimed as she entered my room. “Why did you not call for me?”

My lady-in-waiting collapsed to her knees before the hearth and began preparing the fire. Vesna remained near the entrance, arms folded, shivering.

“I did not wish to be disturbed,” I said, letting my blanket slide from my shoulders and handing it to Vesna.

“Oh no, my queen. I couldn’t,” she said.

“Do not refuse my generosity, Vesna,” I said, and she took the blanket.

Violeta climbed to her feet, dusting off her knees as the fire roared to life. Once it was warm enough, I dressed in a black gown. The bodice was structured and dipped into a V that accentuated my breasts—something Adrian would admire. The collar was high and the sleeves long, embellished with silver beading made to look like flowers caught in moonlight.

I accepted whatever jewels Violeta gave me, eager to find Ana. All I had learned was that Ana had ensured the book survived two hundred years until I could return to claim it, but in those years, had she read it? Did she recall any spells? Perhaps we would be able to anticipate Ravena’s next move.

Another knock came at the door, and I grew frustrated at having another visitor who would delay my search for Ana, but when Vesna answered the door, she curtsied immediately.

“Your Majesty,” she said and stepped aside so Adrian could enter.

He wore all black, a long shadow, and he cast his darkness upon me though I could not deny that I wanted it.

He looked just as tired as I felt—pale, dark-eyed, and sad.

He had pulled his hair away from his face, and it exposed his beautiful, angled jaw.

“May I speak with you?” he asked.

I stared at him a moment, and then my gaze shifted to Violeta and Vesna. “You are dismissed.”

When they were gone and the door clicked shut, Adrian approached, halting a few steps from me. I wanted to fill the void between us because I hated how it felt—empty and raw.

“I came to apologize,” he said. “I was unkind in so many ways last night. I promised you the world, and when you asked, I took it away.” He paused for a moment, looking away, his eyes becoming hard. “The problem is…I waited two centuries to have you in my arms again, and if I let you go, I fear you will never come back.”

“Adrian,” I said, whispering his name. His words made my heart ache.

“I came to let you know that I dispatched one of my soldiers to Nalani.”

I straightened at his words.

“Her name is Ivka. She should return within the week with news.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out, and the only thing I could think to ask was, “Why?”

He swallowed and answered, “Because I love you.”

My eyes watered, and I had to bite my lip to keep my mouth from quivering. Adrian frowned and came to kneel at my feet as I spoke.

“You did not have to do this, but I am grateful you did.”