◇PAST◇ CHAPTER 3: IN THE MOONLIGHT

Three and a half years ago, on a radiant and crisp October night, the quaint kingdom was enveloped in a hushed enchantment.

The full moon hung high in the deep indigo sky, its luminous beams casting a gentle glow that caressed every stone and blade of grass in the courtyard below. The air was cool and invigorating, filling the senses with the crispness that accompanied the changing season, while a soft breeze whispered through the trees, adding to the night's allure.

In the shadows of the quiet village, those with dark intentions lurked, their hearts racing with excitement as they plotted under the cloak of darkness, energized by the stillness around them.

Gabriella, however, was not among the sleeping souls. Dressed in a delicate silk robe as white as the moonlight itself, she stood at her window, the fabric shimmering softly against her skin.

Her eyes, bright with determination, scanned the courtyard bathed in the silvery light, taking in the intricate patterns created by the shadows dancing beneath the moon.

The sound of the grandfather clock echoed through the stillness of the night, each tick a reminder of how time slipped away.

With a focused intensity, Gabriella fixed her gaze on a distant point on the horizon, holding her breath as she mentally counted to four hundred, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Suddenly, three swift flashes of light pierced through the darkness, fleeting yet unmistakable, like fiery whispers meant only for her eyes to behold.

"Took you long enough," she muttered under her breath, a spark of thrill igniting within her.

Without hesitation, she swung open the window, the cool night air rushing in to envelop her. She quickly glanced over her shoulder, ensuring her door remained locked against unwanted intrusions, then deftly lowered the rope she had painstakingly secured to her bedpost.

With her heart racing like a wild stallion, Gabriella climbed down, every movement filled with purpose, eager to seize the adventure that awaited her just beyond the night's veil.

As soon as Gabriella's cloth-covered feet touched the ground, she felt a chill run up her spine. She hugged herself tightly, goosebumps rising along her exposed arms.

Running toward the woods, she could see the little puffs of her breath forming white clouds in the cold air.

"Oh, why didn't I think it was a good idea to grab a jacket?" Gabriella muttered, feeling quite vexed with herself.

She slowed down as she reached the dense cluster of trees, which were darker than the rest of the estate because they blocked out the moonlight. Entering the gloomy woods at this hour without any light always made her feel apprehensive, but she didn't turn back. Someone was waiting for her in there.

Gabriella glanced back at the magnificent Gael Manor, which was shrouded in the shadows of the night, and her heart began to settle.

Suddenly, her moment of calm was shattered. Out of nowhere, she felt a firm grip seize her shoulder. Panic surged through her as she was pinned against a massive tree, the rough bark pressing against her back. She could hardly catch her breath,

"Bloody hell!" Gabriella hissed, though her voice barely carried above a whisper. Her wrists were pinned behind her, her body pressed against the rough bark of a tree.

Arik leaned in, his breath a ghost against her ear, low and teasing. "If I earned a gold coin every time you said that, love, I wouldn't need to inherit my family's fortune."

The sound of his voice coiled through her, leaving heat in its wake.

Gabriella's heart pounded, loud enough that she feared he could hear it. A blush crept up her neck at the thought.

"When I'm free, you'd best watch yourself." Her voice was sharp, but the slight tremble betrayed her nerves. "You won't have your family jewels when I'm through with you."

Arik's cock twitched traitorously at her threat, as though it liked the idea of her fingers near his most vulnerable parts—even if they held a blade.

"Then I suppose," he murmured, his lips dangerously close to her neck, "I'll have to keep this—" he pressed closer, his hips brushing against her backside "—intimate hold of you for as long as I can."

The shift in his body stole her breath. Gabriella gasped, her chest rising sharply, brushing against his arm. "Ari! Are you actually trying to take advantage of me?"

"When you put it like that, it makes me sound positively wicked." His voice dipped lower, rougher. "Unprincipled and dangerous."

Her stomach clenched at the words, the rawness of them.

Arik released her wrists, but before she could move, he spun her around. Gabriella's breath hitched. His brilliant green eyes—so vivid even in the dim light—pinned her in place.

"I was only keeping you warm." His fingers brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek. The touch lingered.

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Then she remembered herself, gritting her teeth as her silver dagger flashed between them, pointed directly at his belt.

Arik raised his hands, laughter rumbling low in his throat. "So you remembered to bring the dagger but not a coat?"

His eyes softened as he looked at her. He hadn't seen her in a week, but it felt like years. Being apart from her was unbearable.

Gabriella, for her part, couldn't stop drinking him in. He was too handsome for his own good—especially in all that blinding white, and that mask that only hinted at the sharpness of his jaw and the sinful curve of his lips.

"Your cloak," she demanded, extending her hand.

Arik smirked. "Ungrateful little creature," he muttered as he unfastened it and draped it over her shoulders.

The moment the fabric settled around her, enveloping her in his scent, her irritation softened. She drew closer, fingers trailing over his neck as she burrowed into his warmth.

"Why won't you show me your full face?" Her voice turned soft, almost a purr.

Arik stiffened—barely—but Gabriella noticed. "You'll see it soon enough," he said, his voice thick with meaning. "You'll see all of me."

Her cheeks flamed, but she refused to look away. "You're more of a scoundrel every day."

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through her. "Girls always claim looks don't matter," he teased, fingers weaving through her dark hair. "Do you really mean it?"

Gabriella narrowed her eyes. "Why? Are you actually ugly under there?"

Arik's fingers suddenly found her ribs, tickling until she gasped and laughed breathlessly.

"I don't care if you are," she said softly, once she'd caught her breath. And she meant it. She'd already fallen too hard for him to be swayed by something as shallow as appearances.

Her lips brushed his cheek in a fleeting kiss, and Arik's control slipped just a little.

"You should know I mostly love you for your eyes." Her tone was playful, but her words carried weight.

"Then I'm a lucky man," he murmured, his voice thick. His fingers grazed her jaw, tipping her chin up as he leaned closer. "If I'd known I'd love you this much, I'd have been a hell of a lot more charming the first time we met."

Gabriella smiled. "You're making up for it now—with all the flowers and pastries."

Arik's eyes glinted. "Flowers are nothing. Wait until you see the gold I'll use for our wedding."

Gabriella tilted her head. "Assuming I agree to this very lackluster proposal—"

"Lackluster?" He pulled her closer, his warmth enveloping her entirely. Her laughter sent sparks through him.

"Ari?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know how important you are to me?"

Her words punched through his defenses, and he responded in kind, his voice low and steady. "I know. But you should always trust that I'll love you—always."

He held her tighter, as if he'd never let go. But deep down, Arik knew tonight might be the last time he'd see her for a while—and that thought burned.

"I have to leave."

Gabriella tensed but nodded. "I know."

He pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. "You're beautiful."

"You didn't say that earlier," she teased, though her voice was unsteady.

"You're honestly beautiful," he repeated. And then, because he couldn't stop himself, he kissed her—lightly at first, but when she melted against him, the kiss deepened.

When he finally pulled away, her lips were flushed and swollen, her eyes dark with longing.

"I'll find you next month." His words carried a promise. "And we'll be married by the next quarter."

Gabriella didn't doubt him. She believed it with every fiber of her being.

As she walked backward, her bouquet of dreamonias glowing softly, she called out, "The next time you see me, I might have shorter hair!"

"You'd still be beautiful," Arik whispered into the night, though she was too far to hear.

And as he mounted his snow-white pegasus and rode toward the portal, he realized he'd left his cloak behind—along with his heart.