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Elliot draws his powers back with a grand smile. “I’ll stop showing off now. Follow my servant to your room, Lavender, and I will meet you for dinner.” She bows and walks out of the throne room, following a female servant.

“Now, Prince Lukene. The terms are not clear. What is it that you want?”

“Is there a cure for the curse?” I cut straight to the chase.

“There is…” He leans back, rubbing his chin while squinting his eyes at me, assessing my worth. “The curse is of the land and in the land. Blood was spilt in the sand.”

“I have no idea what that means, Elliot,” I say dryly, unwilling to engage in games.

“I know.” He smiles. “Stay for the ball tomorrow night. Let me speak with Lavender and get to know her a bit. Then we can discuss our terms.”

Gods and goddess, I should have expected this from him. I nod. “Very well.”

“My sister is looking for a husband.” He gestures to his sister, whose eyes go wide. “Maybe I’ll make that part of our terms.”

“I’m betrothed.”

He cocks his head, calculating. “I have heard of your menacing tactics, Dark Prince. I wouldn’t force my sister to marry you. She can marry for love. Let’s just hope your cousin is nothing like the tales I’ve heard about you. I like to judge people for myself, so just know I’m not only judging her but you as well. Now… my servant will take you to your chamber.”

A female servant beckons me to follow her. I can’t help but wonder where they’ve placed Reign. Taking note of every hallway, every door, every guard, I follow the servant, storing all the information I gather. Finally, we stop and enter a room. It’s grand, bright, and… so blue.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Prince?” The female servant coos while placing a hand on my arm. Her eyes glimmer with want, and I couldn’t be less interested. Before Reign, I might have taken her right here, but now I have no desire. Gently, I remove her hand and ask, “Where is my cousin?”

She clears her throat, shaking off the lust in her eyes. “She is next door.”

“Thank you. That will be all.” I dismiss her.

Noticing my bag on the bed, I grab a set of clothes and head to the washroom. After I shower, I flop onto the bed, thinking of Reign. She told him her real name. Why does that bother me so much? She smiled at him genuinely, a true smile. I close my eyes. If the stories are true, he is a man of honor, a good man. Maybe Reign would be happy with him. He already said he wouldn’t force his sister into marriage but would allow her to marry for love. That is noble. I sigh and run a hand through my hair.

Maybe I should marry Cora. Perhaps I deserve her after the things I’ve done in my lifetime. I haven’t always been noble or a great man. People fear me, not love me. My men, my guards, they respect me, but my peoplefearme. That will always be my legacy as the Dark Prince. Maybe I’m doomed to be miserable. Before Reign, I never thought of a life filled with happiness or love. She introduced that to me, and maybe I hate her for it. She gave me a taste of what I can never have, and now I live in the double burning hells, engulfed in flames, while my feet remain on this continent.

I sitat a large banquet table in a grand dining room. The decor is simple yet opulent. I spot the queen and the princess, but Prince Elliot and Reign are nowhere to be seen. After considering everything, I decide that giving her space is best. She and I aren’t meant to be together. Maybe in another lifetime, but not this one. There isn’t a way to fix it so she and I could be together.

As I engage in idle chit-chat with the princess, I sip my brandy and wait for Reign. Hearing her laughter, I turn toward one of the four entrances. There she is, on the prince’s arm, both of them smiling ear to ear and laughing. Her face glows with a flush—too much of a flush. What were they doing? My stomach sinks as a sense of dread washes over me.

Elliot walks her to the table, and she takes a seat beside me, not even glancing my way, while the prince occupies the head of the table, still close to her. Leaning in to speak, I catch the scent of alcohol on her breath. “Where were you?”

Prince Elliot hears me and responds. “Oh, I hope you don’t mind. I took her on a tour of the palace. She mentioned being fond of gardens, so later today or tomorrow, I’ll show her ours.” He smiles that charming princely smile. His words immediately remind me of when I took Reign to see my mother’s garden.

“I would love that,” Reign replies with a genuinely happy smile that makes me want to murder the prince now, so we can get home.

“And the tour got her liquored up?” I can’t help but press.

“Lukene!” Reign seethes, her eyes flashing with anger.

Elliot looks at me, guarded and purposeful. “Yes, we had wine on our tour. I assure you I had no ill intentions. I wouldn’t provide her with wine and take advantage of her, if that’s what you’re implying…”

“He didn’t mean it like that... He’s like a protective older brother,” Reign lies, and I cringe at her words. Being compared to a brother stings more than I expected.

“Ah, I understand that well,” Prince Elliot replies, glancing at his sister with a knowing look.

“So, Lavender, what magic do your parents have? Are they okay with this marriage if we go through with it?” Now she looks at me, concern etched on her face.

“M-my p-parents…” Reign stutters.

“Her parents died when she was younger. My family raised her. She doesn’t like to talk about it.” The lie rolls off my tongue, and I feel no shame.

“Oh, I apologize. May the mother be comforting them,” Elliot says sincerely.