Stella
The celebration hit me like a wave—noise, warmth, perfume, laughter. Music continued. People chatted. Abby and Rowan were now covered in frosting to the point that it was unclear where the cake ended and the child began.
For a few minutes, I pretended nothing had happened.
I smiled at guests. I thanked people for gifts. I made small talk with nobles who didn't know the shape of dread because it had never lived in their bones.
But I felt it now, humming under my skin. A quiet certainty that something had already taken hold.
Caspian found me near the gifts, his gaze flicking over my face.
"You okay?" he said quietly.
"Fine."
Another lie.
His jaw tightened, but he didn't call me on it here. Not in front of anyone. Instead, he slid close and took my hand, his thumb brushing ove
