Chapter 23:

The garden is quiet, the kind of quiet that makes it easy to get lost in thought. Birds chirp somewhere in the distance, and a soft breeze rustles through the leaves, carrying the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers.

Theo lies beside me, silent, his gaze fixed on nothing in particular. It's strange, having him here in Goldencrest. 

Strange that after everything, he actually came looking for me.

It's endearing knowing that he cares in his own way. It took him two months, but at least he did reach out.

Before I can dwell on it too much, a familiar voice cuts through the peace.

"There you are, Lilah!"

A high-pitched squeal follows, and then a body crashes onto the grass beside me.

Cass.

I don't even have time to react before she's gripping my arm, her expression dramatic. "I've been looking for you everywhere! Do you know how many places I checked before I finally came here? The east wing, the west wing, the training grounds, the kitchens—"

"You thought I'd be in the kitchens at this time of the day?" I interrupt, raising a brow.

She huffs. "I was desperate."

A laugh escapes me. "You really need a hobby, Cass."

"I have hobbies," she insists, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "But both my parents are in a council meeting right now, and they weren't home, so I got bored scrolling through social media and I figured I'd come find you instead."

I glance at her, amused. "I should feel honored."

"You should." She grins.

For a moment, it's easy to forget everything. The tension from earlier, Theo's presence beside me that she surprisingly hasn't taken note of.

It's just the two of us, like always, talking about nothing and everything at once.

But then I remember where we are.

I lower my voice slightly. "Are you sure you want to be here? We could go back to your house. I wouldn't want you to run into…" I trail off, giving her a knowing look.

She waves a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry. She's with the council right now."

I raise an eyebrow.

She smirks. "It seems our dear Eden is already taking her position as 'most likely to be the Prince's mate' way too seriously."

We both burst into laughter.

She wipes an imaginary tear from the corner of her eye. "Can you believe the audacity? She's practically rehearsing her future as the Queen already."

I shake my head, still grinning. "I can't decide if I admire her confidence or if I'm horrified by it."

"A little bit of both, I think." She sighs dramatically. "I mean, I get it. She's pretty, she's smart, she's got that whole 'intimidating' thing down to an art, but come on."

Before I can respond, she suddenly stiffens.

Her eyes widen as she lets out a small scream, scrambling back.

"Oh my goddess—there's someone here!"

I blink, then realize she's finally noticed Theo.

I bite my lip, trying not to laugh.

Theo, to his credit, just sits there, completely unbothered. He's been silent the entire time, not making a single sound, and it clearly never crossed her mind to check her surroundings before flopping down next to me.

I shake my head. "Cass, meet my cousin, Theo."

She places a hand over her chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack! I thought you were some kind of ghost or something. How long have you been sitting there?"

He finally speaks, voice calm. "The entire time."

She stares at him, then at me. "And you weren't going to say anything?"

I shrug. "You seemed… busy."

She narrows her eyes before turning her attention back to him. "So, you're Theo."

It's subtle, but I can tell she isn't exactly thrilled.

Not hostile, not rude—just… cautious.

She doesn't extend a hand or offer a warm greeting like she usually would, but she still manages to keep her voice light. "How are you finding the pack so far?"

His expression gives nothing away. "It's different."

"Different how?"

He tilts his head slightly, considering. "More structured. More disciplined. But also… freer, in a way."

She leans back on her hands, nodding slowly. "Yeah, that sounds about right."

A small silence settles between us before she suddenly plops back down on the grass, stretching her arms above her head.

"Well, I'm exhausted from all the searching I did," she announces. "I'm staying here now."

I shake my head, amused.

She closes her eyes for a second, breathing in the crisp air. "You know, I used to come here all the time as a kid. This garden was my escape."

Theo watches her, silent.

She peeks an eye open. "You're a quiet one, aren't you?"

"I speak when I have something to say," he replies evenly.

She hums, unimpressed. "Mysterious and broody. Got it."

I stifle a laugh.

She turns to me. "Lilah, do you ever feel like you attract brooding men?"

I groan. "Don't start."

"I'm just saying."

"You're not just saying anything. And he's my cousin."

She grins, but there's something a little more thoughtful behind it. "Okay, okay. I'll behave."

Another comfortable silence passes as we sit together, listening to the sounds of the garden. The wind shifts slightly, ruffling the grass, making the trees sway.

It's peaceful.

But then something changes.

I don't know why I look at her just then.

Maybe it's instinct. Maybe it's just a feeling.

But when I do, my heart stutters.

She's looking right at me.

And there, in her usually bright, mischievous eyes, is something else entir

ely.

Fear.

A quiet, lingering fear that she doesn't say out loud.