Knox’s POV
I stared out the window of my room in the Winter Harvest castle, looking at nothing. I couldn’t get Aira off my mind. I hadn’t slept a wink. The ache in my heart when I’d walked away from her last night was too much to bear, no matter how many times I reminded myself what a w***e she was.
Damn the mate bond. Gift, everyone had called it, all throughout my life. Lies. It was nothing but torture, and I needed to steel myself against it.
Kaj stepped into my room.
“I hope you bring news,” I said.
He shook his head lightly. “Not yet, Your Highness. I’m developing a rapport with the staff, and I think I’ve targeted a few who are trustworthy. I’ll keep working on them to get your answers.”
I nodded, trusting his efforts, though it was hard to trust anyone these days.
“Your Highn
