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“You are sick!” I seethe. “You give me away to the prince, you sleep with a servant, and then make me confess how I feel… all while you make me stab you.” I shake my head in disbelief. “Next time, I really will stab you in the heart, Prince. It’s a promise.” I say it with conviction as I walk away from him, sinking onto my bed, staring into the dancing fire.

“I hope so…” he replies, walking closer. I can hear the grin in his voice. “Reign, I did not sleep with her.” I look up at him towering over me. “She came to my room, and I immediately sent her away.”

I stare into his stormy eyes, searching for truth. “That’s the problem with lies and betrayals… You can never trust what someone says once the trust is broken.” I turn back to the fire, but he swiftly yanks my face back to his, gripping my chin.

“I haven’t been with anyone since that night I saw you in the Hollows. I haven’t wanted anyone since I laid eyes on you.” He gently rubs his thumb along my face while still gripping my chin, sending shivers down my spine.

“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore, does it, Prince? If Prince Elliot will have me, I’ll be his wife.” I feel so weighed down, my heart is so heavy, so saddened.

“Because it would be easy to have a life with him?” His voice drips with bitter pain and jealousy.

“You were listening?” I scrunch my face in disbelief.

“I was.” He sits beside me, his leg bouncing nervously as he stares into the fire, searching for answers to questions he didn’t ask. “Do you think you could truly be happy with him?”

I shrug, shaking my head slightly with a sigh. “I… I don’t know. But I don’t have a choice. It was taken from me. All I can do is go along with it.”

“If he does decide to marry you, and you decide to stay with him, I need you to remember something.” He looks at me with a conflicted intensity that makes my heart ache. “Where darkness kisses light, I will always find you there. For even the smallest flame can produce the longest shadow. When you think of me, light the flame, and remember, I’m in the shadows.”

Luke stands. He leans down and kisses the top of my head before he exits the room, leaving me to my swirling thoughts.Where darkness kisses light… What am I to make of his words? My heart and brain are at war with each other. My heart aches for him and wants to believe him, while my mind screams that he lies and will continue to hurt me. With a bloody war raging inside me, I flop back onto the bed, wishing I knew what to believe.

* * *

Fully pamperedwith my hair pinned in an elegant updo, I walk to the ballroom in a fitted sapphire dress. The sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves give it a modest yet beautiful appearance—more reserved than the other ball gowns I’ve worn.

As soon as I step into the grand ballroom, Princess Sarah, Elliot’s sister, greets me. This room must be the most luxurious in the palace, with light and dark blue gemmed chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceilings, casting dazzling shades of blue that sparkle around the room. Everything is adorned in silver and blue. Unlike Umbrahdor’s ballroom, the air here feels refreshing, filled with renewed opportunities. Happy conversations swirl around us as we make our way to a table laden with liquor.

Princess Sarah wears a deep navy dress that hugs her curves, featuring a high slit on one side. Her long sandy-blonde curls sway as she turns to hand me a glass of light-colored wine. I take a sip, allowing the cool, refreshing notes to slide over my tongue and down my throat. It’s sweet and crisp—apple wine, and it’s delicious. As I scan the room, I see Prince Elliot dancing with several maidens, but there’s no sign of my dark prince.

“Want to dance?” Princess Sarah asks.

“Sure!” We both finish our wine, setting the glasses down before heading to the dance floor.

Sarah can dance. She spins me around effortlessly, making me laugh—dare I say, better than Elm. We glide across the dance floor, filled with joy and laughter. Princess Sarah is hilarious and so much fun. I could definitely get used to being her friend. Suddenly, her expression shifts, and she stops moving. Following her gaze, I see a stunning woman with the palest honey-colored eyes, a striking contrast to her glistening dark brown skin. Her loose black curls cascade to her shoulders, and she looks breathtaking in her sunrise-colored dress.

“She is so beautiful it hurts…” Sarah breathes, a mix of awe and longing in her voice.

“She is,” I reply, sensing the magnetic pull between them. Their attraction feels palpable.

“She is the love of my life. Can you believe that she is mine?” Sarah’s face radiates with admiration for her lover.

“Go. Dance with her. I’ll find some fool to dance with.” I chuckle as she walks away, but I notice a soft jingle, like coins rattling, as she leaves.

Turning to exit the dance floor, I suddenly feel a grip on my wrist. Looking up, I see Prince Elliot, his bright eyes and wide smile warming me. “Dance with me. Let me make every man in this room jealous because I get to dance with such a rare beauty.”

Chuckling at his words, I grasp his hand, and he pulls me close. Our bodies nearly touch, and my heart begins to hammer wildly, matching the tempo of the music as he leads me around the dance floor.

By the end of the song, a genuine smile lights my face. The music has stopped, yet Prince Elliot holds me tightly. “You are stunning, Lavender. Truly.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. “And you blushing every time I compliment you is adorable.” He rubs his hand soothingly up and down my back. “I must say, I am smitten with?—”

“Brother…” Princesses Sarah cuts in.

“Mother needs you. It’s urgent,” she pleads.

Elliot glances between his sister and me. He steps back, bringing my hand to his mouth and kissing it. “I’ll be back shortly. Save at least one more dance for me.” He winks and rushes off with his sister.

Letting out a huge breath, I walk to another table filled with glasses of wine, downing one before grabbing another, completely oblivious to my surroundings.