Astrid
It had been days since the poisoning.
I hadn’t left the royal chambers. The servants walked on edge, their footsteps silent, their eyes avoiding mine. Not because they feared me, but because they feared what might happen if they upset my mate. Sebastian had turned into a shadow of himself—sharp-eyed, ever-watchful, and quiet like a blade waiting to strike.
He had mounted guards at every corner of the castle. Nothing twitched without his notice. Yormsborg was under lock. Nothing came in or out without severe search. Even the food we ate was tasted first by the maids before administering to us.
Everything had changed, even I was changing too.
I stood by the open balcony of my chamber, the cold wind brushing my cheeks. My hands were resting protectively on my abdomen, feeling th
