Chapter 3
272 Words
“I name Ava not my prisoner, not my enemy, but my queen.”
Ava’s heart thundered in her chest. She couldn’t tell if it was rage, confusion, or something more dangerous creeping in — understanding.
Kaelen looked down at her, voice low now. “You deserved to rule. I won’t let anyone take that from you again.”
Ava stood motionless, staring at Kaelen as though seeing him for the first time. The hall blurred. His words echoed distantly in her ears, but her body felt heavy, like stone.
Too much.
Too fast.
Too many ghosts.
Her knees buckled.
Gasps rippled through the court as Ava collapsed, but Kaelen moved before anyone else. He caught her gently, cradling her against him with surprising ease, and didn’t utter a word as he turned and strode out of the hall.
No one dared follow.
He carried her through the golden corridors of the palace to a high, sunlit chamber — once meant for a queen long gone. The maids opened the doors and hurried away at his glare, leaving them alone in silence.
He laid her on the bed, brushed a damp lock of hair from her cheek, then stood there — for a long time — watching her sleep.
She had every reason to hate him.
And yet, something inside him whispered that this time, maybe he could make things right.
Ava stood motionless, staring at Kaelen as though seeing him for the first time. The hall blurred. His words echoed distantly in her ears, but her body felt heavy, like stone.
Too much.
Too fast.
Too many ghosts.
Her knees buckled.
- Writer
