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“O h, you are fiery! I do like that.” The prince smiles at her, and the jealousy I feel is ebbing away at my stomach and every reasonable thought. Like a moth trapped in the spider’s web, I feel ensnared. “What powers do you possess, my lovely Lavender?” he asks her.

Reign holds out her palm, and a large flame ignites, bright and beautiful, illuminating her tiny freckles like sparkles and making her lavender eyes shine. She is exquisite. Elliot leans forward on his throne, waving his hand in her direction as his ice smothers the fire.

“I have never seen an ice wielder! Can you make it snow?” Reign asks, playful curiosity lighting up her face, causing my heart to skip beats.

The prince raises both hands, and snowflakes begin to fall around her. She stretches her arms out to her sides and tilts her head back, utterly smitten. The sting of jealousy jostles me.

“Amazing,” Reign exclaims, her tone cheery.

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 people fear me. 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 sit at 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.

The servers bring out our main course, placing it in front of us. Noticing it’s pork, I pick up Reign’s plate and dump the pork onto mine, giving her my potatoes and vegetables instead.

“Something wrong?” Elliot asks, setting his fork down, his smile wiped from his face. His blue eyes burn icy hot while he looks at Reign.

“She doesn’t eat pork. Make sure you remember that if you decide to wed,” I say, the words cutting deeper than intended. I don’t want anyone else feeding her or knowing all about her.

The rest of dinner drags on, filled with boring, meaningless conversation. Elliot’s subjects speak to him as if they’re old friends, sharing laughter and smiles. He doesn’t make them stand upon entering the dining room, and now that I think about it, they were eating before he arrived. He runs his kingdom differently than my father runs his. That raises a question I need answered…

“Elliot, where is your father? Where is the king?” I ask.

He places his fork down, the smile fading from his face. “He is ill. Once he feels better, he will join us.” Lies. I can sense it, almost taste it. The words sound rehearsed, and I can sense he’s hiding something.

“My parents taught me different potions. I can try to make him a healing elixir if you want…” Reign offers innocently, her sincerity tugging at my heart.

Elliot smiles a closed-lip smile at her, then reaches over and places his hand on hers. A surge of anger rises within me, and I want to cut his hand off. I have to remind that stupid organ in my chest to calm the fuck down.

“My lovely Lavender… That is sweet, but we have healers here.” He pulls his hand back, and my heart settles just a bit. Gods and goddesses, this is torture. I would rather burn for eternity in the double burning hells than watch him have her while I cannot.

I call a servant over, pouring myself another glass of brandy and downing it in one gulp. I feel Reign’s gaze on me. When I look over, I can’t decipher the look in her eyes before she averts her gaze.

“I’ve never seen anyone with your color of hair or eyes… It’s beautiful,” Princess Sarah says, her gorgeous blue eyes sparkling.

“Thank you… I have also never met anyone with my coloring.” Reign smiles shyly. She is adorable, a rarity indeed. A rare gem that is meant for me and me alone, yet I’m giving her up… and for what?

“My sister speaks the truth… You are beautiful,” Elliot adds in, while sipping his wine, his eyes burning into Reign’s with an intensity that has my shadows stirring.

“She would make some beautiful children,” the queen remarks, and my stomach churns, acid rising in my throat.

“Mother!” Elliot hisses, prompting laughter from her and the princess, while Reign’s expression shifts, a hint of sickness clouding her features. “Please ignore them. They have no class,” Elliot explains.

Reign smiles. “If you don’t mind, Prince Elliot…”

“Call me Eli.”

“If you don’t mind, Eli.” She smiles shyly. “I would like to be excused. I’m a bit tired from our travels.”

“You don’t need to ask permission. If you’re tired, you can go—it’s okay.” Elliot says it as if he’s baffled she would even think to ask. “I will walk you.” He stands.

I rise immediately. “That won’t be necessary. Her room is next to mine. I’ll make sure she gets there.” Reign looks from Elliot to me, uncertainty in her eyes.

“Very well.” Elliot walks over to Reign and kisses her hand. “Good night, my lovely Lavender. I will see you tomorrow.”

Her cheeks flush with color. “Good night, Eli.” She bows, and we exit the dining room.

We walk in silence back to our rooms. Once we’re almost there, I speak. “He is insufferable,” I say, testing her reaction.

“I think he is sweet,” she replies with a slight smile, her gaze fixed ahead.

“So, you like him? You want to marry him?” My heart races in anticipation of her response.

She halts, turning to face me. “Is that not what I’m here to do, Prince? Did you not bring me here to marry that man?” Emotions swirl in her eyes, and I can see her chest rise and fall rapidly.

“Duties and desires are two different things, Reign. You know exactly what I am asking.” Irritation seeps into my voice.

“I wish it could be both…” Now my breathing matches hers, the tension thickening the air between us. She diverts her gaze, resuming her walk until we reach her door. “You have taught me that duty is more important than desire, than my own wants. So, thank you for teaching me to put duty above all else.”

She reaches for her door handle. “Reign?—”

“Good night, Prince Lukene.” She bows, sadness etched on her face as she shuts the door.

I walk back to my room and enter, the pain written on Reign’s pretty face tearing at me. Her words echo in my mind: You have taught me that duty is more important than desire, than my own wants.

A reminder that this is my fault. I did this. I have always prioritized duty over my desires and look where it has led me. I’m miserable, burning inside. I almost want to hate Reign for provoking these feelings. If I let myself be with her, what would happen to my kingdom? Would the curse worsen? Who would ensure our guards aren’t as corrupt as Vanna’s? Even though it feels impossible, I still try to win my father’s approval. But if I took Reign as a wife, I’d surely lose any chance of his favor.

I was right when I told her that love weakens people. I have never felt as weak… as powerless as I do now. Yet, I love her. I do. Maybe in truly loving her, I should let her go. There’s no way for us to be together anyway. If she can be happy here, shouldn’t I give that to her? Shouldn’t I swallow my own feelings and desires if it means she has a chance at happiness?

Picking up the bottle of brandy on my bedside table, I pour a generous glass and down it. I savor the burn as it travels down my throat and into my chest. Then I throw the glass against the wall. It shatters into tiny pieces, mirroring my heart.

Suddenly, a knock at my door interrupts my thoughts. I stand there, my chest rising and falling rapidly. I try to steady my breathing and say, “Enter.”

The female servant from earlier opens the door, wearing a thin, lacy nightgown. “I came for you, Prince Lukene.” She smiles as she enters and shuts the door behind her. Her eyes widen when she sees the broken glass. “What happened?”

“Why are you here?” I snap, shadows seeping from me slowly, menacingly.

Her eyes grow wide, nearly the size of saucers, and she starts to tremble.

“Leave! Now… and don’t come back again…” She bolts, and I feel a sense of unease creep over me. I send shadows to watch over Reign, ensuring her safety.