CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
IRIS
I wasn’t asleep. I couldn’t be.
The room was quiet save for the sound of the curtains rustling and the comforting rhythm of the waves outside.
William had kept his promise. He was sitting on the wooden chair near the window, his head leaned back, his hand resting loosely on the hilt of his sword.
The lantern’s light touched his face in a soft glow.
He looked so peaceful for once, his guard down.
He loved me. That was what he had said. Since the first moment
he saw me. The words kept circling in my mind, over and over, until I didn’t know what to do with them anymore.
I cared for him. I knew that much. I trusted him more than anyone. The thought of him angry or hurt tore at me in ways I didn’t understand. But love? I wasn’t sure yet. It was something deeper, something I hadn’t had time to name.
Maybe I just needed time. Maybe I needed a moment with him without the walls, the guards, the duty. Just us.
I shifted slightly under the blanket, my heart beating faster at the thought. He was right there, only a few steps away, close enough to reach if I wanted to. But I stayed still.
For now, it was enough just to watch him.
Moments passed. I had been staring at him for so long that I lost
count of time. The room was quieter, and the sound of his steady breathing only made my thoughts louder. I couldn’t lie there any longer. I needed to move, to think, to breathe.
I slipped from the bed and put on my slippers.
The floor was cold, and the air carried a faint chill that made me shiver.
Carefully, I opened the door. The faint creak of its hinges seemed loud in the stillness, but William didn’t stir.
He was still there, sleeping upright, one hand loosely on his sword.
The hall was dim, lit only by a few torches along the stone walls. My footsteps echoed softly as I walked, arms wrapped around myself for warmth. I took a few deep breaths, trying to clear the
noise in my mind.
Then I saw her.
Raven stood at the far end of the corridor. My brow furrowed. She was supposed to be asleep. No one should have been awake at this hour.
“Raven?” I called quietly.
She jumped and turned, her face pale in the low light. “Oh—oh, Iris! You startled me.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked, walking closer.
Her hands fidgeted with the fabric of her skirt. “I’m just… looking for something. I lost my satchel.”
“Do you need help finding it?”
“No—no, I’m fine. Go back to bed, really.” Her voice was
quick, uneven.
I stopped a few feet from her, narrowing my eyes. “Raven…”
She blinked rapidly. “Y–yes?”
“I can tell you’re hiding something,” I said. “You’re far too nervous for someone who just lost a satchel.”
She let out a slow sigh, her shoulders sinking. “Fine. You caught me.”
“Caught you doing what?”
Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. “Meeting someone.”
My stomach turned. “Meeting who?”
Her gaze lowered to the floor. “My past love,” she said quietly.
“The same one who broke my heart. He found out I was here… and wanted to talk.”
“What?” I said quietly, my eyes narrowing. “Who is he?”
Raven shook her head quickly, her fingers twisting together. “I can’t tell you. Not yet.”
I wanted to press her, but something in her tone stopped me. That was her secret, not mine to pry open.
“Can you please leave before he comes?” she said softly. “He should be here any moment.”
I sighed, glancing toward the shadows at the end of the corridor. “Fine,” I said. “I’ll go.”
Her eyes softened. “Thank you.”
I gave her one last look before turning away. My slippers made
almost no sound against the stone floor as I walked farther down the hall. The castle felt colder here, the torches fewer, the air still.
Behind me, I heard something. The sound of footsteps. Heavy and deliberate. A man’s. My heart picked up for a moment, but I didn’t turn around. It had to be him, the man Raven once loved. I told myself I had to turn my head to look at him, not after promising to give her space. So I kept moving.
The hall stretched long and empty until it opened into the dining room. The faint scent of wine and roasted fruit still lingered in the air. I walked to one of the long tables and sat down, my hands resting on the smooth wood. A bowl of grapes sat near the center,
center, left from dinner, and I took one without thinking.
The sweetness filled my mouth, but it didn’t ease the unease in my chest. I waited, hoping that by the time I returned, Raven would be done and back in bed.
Minutes passed. Then more. The hall stayed silent. My eyelids grew heavier with each breath. The chill of the room and the stillness made it harder to stay awake.
Finally, after what felt like a long while, I pushed the bowl away and rose from the chair. It had to be enough time. They must be finished by now.
I took a steady breath and started back toward the corridor.
The walk back felt longer this time. The halls were colder and the shadows were deeper. I moved carefully, not wanting to wake
anyone, my fingers brushing the cold stone walls for balance.
When I turned the corner toward the direction of my bedchamber, I slowed. The sound of voices reached me. I took another step, peering through the dim light.
And then I froze.
My breath caught in my throat, a sharp sound escaping before I could stop it.
Raven stood near the wall, her hands trembling slightly as someone held her close. His figure was familiar, tall and dressed in fine clothes that caught the light from the torch above. His hand cupped her face, and his lips were on hers.
Lorenzo.
My mouth fell open, a soft gasp breaking the stillness around me. I didn’t move. I couldn’t.
The prince.
The man who was meant to be my husband.
The same man, now kissing my dearest friend.
The word tilted for a moment and I stood frozen in disbelief.