Happy 100th Chapter to us. I never imagined I’ll make it to this Chapter the quickly. 😍🥹🫂

Thank you all for being here.

.......

Xanden knocked once, then opened the door without waiting for permission.

He stepped into the room, and landed his gaze on the bed.

Torak lay on the bed. He had one arm thrown over his face, with his body stretched out like sleep had claimed him.

Torak knew sleep hadn’t claimed him yet.

Xanden closed the door behind him.

"You were reckless last night," he said.

Torak didn’t move.

"What were you thinking?" Xanden asked, walking fully ino the room.

"I wasn’t thinking." Torak responded after a moment of silence.

His voice was low, and rough.

Torak shifted slightly. His arm slid off his face as he stared up at the ceiling.

Xanden watched him.

"Her father almost left the table," he informed.

That got a reaction from Torak. The reaction was small, but it was there. His brows furrowed, and his eyes squinted.

Torak’s jaw tightened faintly in addition.

"I don’t care," he murmured.

Xanden’s eyes darkened. "You should."

Torak turned his head slightly.

"She’s not my mate," he said. "And if the Moon goddess does not wish to make us mates..." His voice hardened, "I’ll choose to rewrite our fate."

Xanden’s expression stilled.

Torak pushed himself up slightly, his eyes finally meeting Xanden’s. "I’ll make her mine first," he said quietly. "Then I’ll deal with the rest of it."

Silence fell between them.

Xanden stepped further into the room. He fully stood before Torak now. "That is not how fate works." He reprimanded.

Torak let out a dry breath. "I don’t care how it works anymore. Tell me why I should feel what I feel for soemone who isn’t my mate, if this so called mate bond is really genuine."

"You should care." Xanden said firmly. "And yes, the mate bind is genuine."

Torak looked away.

Xanden’s voice lowered. "You think you are choosing her," he said. "But you are choosing consequences."

Torak’s jaw tightened.

"Don’t," he muttered.

Xanden ignored that.

"You have seen what happens when bonds are forced," he continued. ".... and when rules are broken."

Torak didn’t respond.

Xanden stepped closer. "Aire," he said. "Aire is an example of what happens when bonds are forced."

Torak’s gaze snapped back to him.

Xanden held his gaze, though dangerous and furious.

"You have seen her," he continued. "What she carries, and what she is."

Torak’s chest rose slightly.

"If you do this," Xanden said quietly, "you will not only destroy Adele—" He paused, let out an exhale, then went on. "You will destroy anything that comes from it."

Torak stilled.

Xanden’s voice dropped further.

"A child born without the bond," he said, "rejected by the Moon... will not live untouched."

The words settled heavily.

"The child would be cursed," he added. "Unclaimed, and illegitimate."

Torak’s hands clenched. "You don’t know that," he said.

"I do." Xandan challenged. "Like I said, Aire is an example. Surely, you wouldn’t want your child or children suffering that."

Torak looked away. His voice, when it came, was quieter. "She doesn’t even love me." He admitted, dejected.

The admission sat between them, raw and unprotected.

Xanden didn’t respond immediately.

Torak laughed softly. His laugh came out empty. "I’m the only one holding onto something that doesn’t exist," he said.

His gaze dropped. "But I can’t stop."

Xanden watched him. "That," he said, "is exactly why you should. Adele isn’t built to love anyone that isn’t her mate."

"My prayers to stop have remained unanswered." Torak said, shaking his head. "I cannot hope that you would understand."

Xanden kept silent, not responding to that. He turned away from him after a moment.

"Get up," he said. "You have duties."

Torak didn’t move.

"I said—"

"I heard you," Torak cut in quietly.

But he still didn’t move.

Xanden watched him for a second longer. He turned and walked toward the door.

"You don’t get to destroy yourself because she doesn’t love you," he said without looking back. His hand rested on the handle. "You are not her mate, and especially not while you still have a place here."

........

The corridors leading to the King’s private chamber were empty, silent, and completely controlled..

The maid walked with measured steps. Her head was lowered gracefully in discreet. Her hands were folded neatly before her.

A guard walked half a step behind her, not to escort, but to ensure she made it to the King chamber with no suspicious gaze around her.

The doors opened, and she stepped inside. The room was dim, softened by heavy drapes and controlled light.

King Elijah stood near the far side of the chamber with his back partially turned.

He didn’t acknowledge her immediately.

The maid stopped a few steps inside.

She bowed. "My King."

Only then did he turn. His gaze settled on her deliberately.

"Come closer," he said.

She obeyed. She stopped at a respectful distance.

Silence lingered between them.

King Elijah studied her.

"You have done as instructed," he said.

The maid inclined her head slightly. "Yes, my King."

His gaze didn’t shift. "And no one knows?"

"No, my King."

"You will be rewarded, and you will stop."

The maid stilled. Her posture shifted just slightly.

"My King?" she asked.

King Elijah’s expression didn’t change. "You will cease adding it to her food," he repeated. This time, slower and clearer.

The maid’s fingers tightened faintly against each other.

"If I may speak frankly, are you certain, My King?" she asked carefully.

The question was respectful, but not blind.

King Elijah’s eyes sharpened slightly. "Do I sound uncertain?"

"No, my King."

"Then do as I say."

The maid lowered her head again. "Yes, my King."

But she didn’t move. Her pause was small, and intentional.

King Elijah noticed.

"Speak," he said.

The maid hesitated for just a fraction of a second. "The dosage has already taken effect," she said. "Stopping now may—"

"I am aware," he cut in. "I said stop."

"Yes, my King." She agreed.

This time, she didn’t question it again.

King Elijah watched her for another moment.

"Leave," he said.

The maid bowed deeply.

Sje walked away, and her steps were as controlled as before.

The door opened, then closed behind her.

The maid walked forward. Her pace didn’t change, and neither did her posture. She walked past the guards, and past the turns.

She walked past the long stretch of corridor that led away from the King’s chambers. Only when she reached the shadow between two pillars did she stop.

Her hand lifted to her face. She reached up, and removed the thin outer veil covering her hair.

The fabric slipped off free, revealing her dark, and neatly arranged strands beneath. Her fingers adjusted it once, then lowered.

Her face turned slightly.

The dim light caught her features fully now.

It was Madam.