Phantom’s POV
The note from my mother burns in my pocket like a brand. I’ve read it twice, each word carved into me: Canum has gathered his supporters. The nobles demand a trial. They insist judgment must come from peers, not from an upset and confused nephew wearing the crown.
I know what it means. I know what it will cost. But tonight, I refuse to let it steal her smile.
The morning begins with sunlight spilling across the coast. I wake early, restless, and plan every detail. If Maryelle must return to Rome for the trial, then before that shadow falls, she deserves a day that feels like ours alone.
I take her to the cliffs first. The sea crashes against stone, spray catching the wind. She laughs when it hits her face, hair whipping wild, eyes bright. She grips my hand, tugging me
