Rex POV
Wendsor's weight is limp in my arms.
The crowd presses closer. Voices shouting for physicians. For water. For space.
I shove Wendsor away. She stumbles. Catches herself on a nearby table.
"Your Majesty—" Her voice trembles. Weak. Wounded. "Please, I don't understand—"
I force myself to look at her. To say the words clearly.
"You are the new Minister of Internal Affairs. Nothing more." My voice is cold. Final. "I will not accept you as anything else."
Her face goes white. Her hand flies to her chest. "But the Moon Goddess chose me for you—"
"The Moon Goddess abandoned me twelve years ago." The words taste like ash. "I don't accept her blessings. I don't want her chosen mate."
"But I—" Her voice breaks beautifully. A single tear rolls down her cheek. "I only want to help you
