in the dark. And me? I swallowed hard. Then, I took the next step up.

His gaze found mine instantly, piercing even in the dim light. The weight of it pressed against my skin, slow and assessing like he could see straight through the hood of my cloak. I should leave. But then he smiled. Slow, sensual and knowing. A hunter who had just spotted something interesting —

beneath my fingertips as I braced myself. A shadow shifted at the top, stepping into the golden glow of the lanterns.

I froze. Seeing one of the palace guards, and not just anyone. But one of my guards stood there.

𝘏𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘦.

Tall. Broad. Dark curls brushed the nape of his neck —

sent heat curling along the nape of my neck. My cheeks burned, but I didn’t look away.

Was this what freedom felt like? A thrill sparked to life in my chest, warring against the fear curling in my stomach. I wasn’t sure which would win. I reached the stairs, the wooden railing cool —

dream about. In this world, I could be someone other than the Maiden. Here, I would be able to be myself. If I could remember who she was.

I exhaled slowly, forcing my feet forward, the soft rugs swallowing the sound of my steps. A burst of laughter erupted nearby, a low, throaty chuckle that —

𝘛𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.
𝘛𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
𝘛𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵.

No one here knew me. No one would whisper about my purpose or drop down to their knees in deference. Here, I was just a girl in a cloak, heart hammering in her chest as she stepped into a world she had only dared to —

from this moment.

I had spent almost my entire life obeying rules, locked in golden cages built from duty and expectation. The Maiden. The Chosen. The future of the kingdom. A girl forbidden from being touched or seen, hidden behind a veil, gods, I was tired.

—

fabric that my knuckles ached. The air smelled of spiced wine and melted wax, thick with something I couldn’t name - something forbidden. My pulse pounded beneath my skin, a frantic rhythm that whispered, 𝘛𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥. 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦. But I didn’t move, as if already knowing my life would change from —