chapter 23

Chapter 23

The chamber was dimly lit, the flickering glow of candlelight casting wavering shadows upon the stone walls. The scent of burning wax lingered in the air, mingling with the faint chill of the night. Alissa sat upon the edge of Adam's bed, her fingers tracing idle patterns against the embroidered fabric of her gown. Across from her, Adam stood in silence, his dark gaze fixed upon her, unreadable yet intent.

She reached for him, drawing him closer, her touch featherlight as her fingers brushed over his jaw. "Adam," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. He did not resist when she pressed her lips against his, and for a moment, all hesitation melted away.

His hands came to rest upon her waist, drawing her near, their warmth seeping through the delicate silk of her gown. Their lips met again, deeper this time, slow and unhurried yet tinged with something desperate. Her hands clung to him as if to tether him to her, to the moment, to all that lay unspoken between them.

But just as the heat between them grew, Adam pulled away. His breath was uneven, his forehead resting against hers.

"Alissa," he said, his voice low yet firm.

She gazed up at him, eyes searching. "What is it?"

"Do you love me?"

A small smile touched her lips. "You must ask?" Her fingers brushed the faint scar upon his cheek. "Of course, I do." She kissed him once more, but Adam did not return it. Instead, he regarded her with an expression she could not quite place.

"And what of your betrothal?" His voice was quiet, yet each word carried weight.

"I care nothing for it," she said, shaking her head. "I have never seen him. He is but a name to me, nothing more. And I know my father and my brother would not see me bound to a fate that brings me no joy." She cupped his face, her thumb grazing over his cheek. "It is you I have chosen, Adam."

He studied her for a long moment before his lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "You do not know how long I have wished to hear that." He lifted her hand, pressing a kiss upon her knuckles, the warmth of his lips sending shivers along her skin.

She blushed, but did not turn away. Instead, she pulled him closer, their lips meeting once more in a slow, lingering kiss. His hands moved over her back, holding her to him, their bodies pressed together. Yet Adam, despite the desire that burned between them, did not allow them to go further. No matter how much he longed for her, he would not rush what was sacred.

When at last they pulled apart, Alissa rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Do you still wish to be a knight?" she asked softly.

Adam was silent for a moment before he answered. "No... not anymore."

She lifted her head, brow slightly furrowed. "But was it not your dream?"

A quiet chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head. "You are my dream, Alissa."

She let out a small, breathless laugh, her cheeks warming. "You speak as if you belong in old tales."

"Perhaps I do," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face before pressing a kiss upon her forehead.

Alissa closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the warmth of his touch, the steadiness of his presence. But then, as if a shadow passed over her thoughts, her expression grew more serious. She pulled back slightly, enough to look at him properly.

"Tomorrow, I leave for the Citadel," she said, voice quieter now.

Adam's gaze softened. "Aye, you do."

She let out a slow breath. "I should be excited. It is what I have prepared for, what I have long desired. And yet... I find myself afraid." She lowered her eyes, fingers twisting in the fabric of his tunic. "What if I fail? What if I am not enough?"

Adam exhaled, tilting her chin up so that she met his gaze once more. "You will not fail, Alissa."

"You cannot know that."

"I do," he countered gently. "Because you are stronger than you realize. You do not need their approval to know your own worth."

She swallowed, uncertainty flickering across her face. "It is not only their approval I seek, Adam. It is a test of my own making, to prove that I am more than just my name. That I am worthy of the knowledge I desire."

"And you are," he assured her. "You have studied, worked harder than any noble-born lady I have known. You have always been more than a princess, Alissa. That will not change, no matter what happens tomorrow."

She studied him, as if trying to draw strength from his certainty. Then, slowly, she nodded. "Will you wait for me?" she asked softly.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Always."

She smiled in return, resting her forehead against his once more. "I will not be gone long," she murmured.

"Even if you were," he said, "I would wait for you all the same."

Their lips met once more, a kiss filled with quiet promises, with unspoken devotion. And for tonight, that was enough.

The night had settled heavily over Raventhorn, its lawless streets quieter but still carrying the occasional distant laughter and drunken shouting from the taverns. In the chamber where Alistair stayed, a single candle flickered on the wooden table, casting long shadows along the stone walls. He had been reviewing a map, his thoughts lingering on the situation in the city, when a sudden knock at the door pulled him from his focus.

He hesitated for a moment before rising and opening it.

Elias stood there, the scent of ale clinging to him, his usually sharp eyes hazy but still burning with something unreadable. Alistair studied him, taking in the tension in his shoulders, the slight sway in his stance.

The door slammed shut behind Elias as he stepped inside, his movements uneven, his breath heavy with wine. His dark eyes burned with something volatile, something that had been building for too long.

Alistair exhaled sharply, already tired of whatever this was going to be. "You're drunk."

"And you're a liar," Elias shot back, voice low but sharp.

Alistair's jaw tightened. "What are you talking about?"

Elias scoffed, pacing forward until he stood just a breath away. "I saw you," he said, his voice rough. "I saw how she touched you. And you let her."

Alistair frowned, irritation sparking. "Jasmine and I were merely speaking."

Elias laughed-a bitter, humorless sound. "Speaking? Is that what you call it? She had her hand on your thigh, Alistair."

Alistair's patience thinned. "And what of it? You forget yourself, Elias."

Elias stepped closer, his breath warm with wine. "Do I?" he murmured. "Or is it you who forgets?"

Alistair narrowed his eyes. "Mind your words."

Elias' lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "I wonder," he mused. "Do you even think of me anymore? Or am I just another shadow to you, standing in the way of your perfect little life?"

Alistair's temper flared. "You speak as though you are entitled to something."

Elias clenched his fists. "And am I not?"

Alistair exhaled sharply, forcing himself to remain composed. "Jasmine is to be my wife," he said, voice even but cold. "That is how it has always been. Her touching me means nothing."

The words hung heavy between them, like a sword suspended by a fraying thread.

Elias stilled. Something dark flickered in his gaze-something pained, something betrayed.

Then-before Alistair could react-Elias' hand lashed out, striking him across the face.

The crack of the slap echoed through the chamber.

Alistair's head turned slightly from the impact, his jaw tightening as he slowly straightened, eyes burning with quiet fury. He did not move to retaliate. He did not even flinch. Instead, he met Elias' gaze, his expression unreadable.

Elias, breathing heavily, seemed just as surprised by his own action. But before either of them could speak-

Knock, knock.

Both men turned toward the door.

Alistair ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply before opening it.

Jasmine stood in the corridor, wrapped in a light cloak, her eyes flickering between them with quiet curiosity.

Elias, still tense, took a slow step back before offering a loose, lopsided smirk. "Lady Jasmine," he greeted, his voice uneven but polite.

She frowned but said nothing as Elias pushed past her, stumbling slightly as he left.

Alistair watched him go before turning back to Jasmine.

Alistair watched Jasmine as she lingered in the doorway, her expression unreadable. She hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside, her gaze settling on his face, her brows drawing together.

"You're hurt," she murmured, reaching out.

Alistair remained still as her fingers brushed against his cheek, soft against the lingering sting of Elias' slap. For a brief moment, he allowed it, let her touch soothe something unspoken, something raw.

Jasmine's touch was gentle, deliberate, tracing along the faint redness marring his skin. "Who did this to you?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.

Alistair did not answer.

Jasmine frowned, her fingers lingering. "Alistair."

At the sound of his name, something inside him stirred, and abruptly, he took a step back, severing the warmth between them.

Jasmine blinked at the sudden distance.

Alistair exhaled, rubbing his face before looking at her. "Why are you here?" His voice was steadier now, composed.

She studied him for a moment, then sighed. "I just wanted to talk."

He glanced toward the door. "It could have waited until morning."

Jasmine tilted her head slightly. "I suppose," she murmured. Then, softer, "Forgive me if I've put you in a difficult position."

Alistair's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"

Jasmine didn't answer right away. Instead, she glanced toward the door where Elias had left. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Then, finally, she turned away, her voice quiet as she said, "Good night, Alistair."

She left without another word, leaving him standing there, alone with his thoughts.

---

The palace courtyard was alive with movement as preparations were made for Princess Alissa's departure. Though she was only leaving for her exam and interview at the Citadel, the weight of the moment still hung in the air. Servants hurried about, ensuring her belongings were in order, while knights stood ready to escort her.

King Mathias was present, overseeing everything with a calm but firm expression. Though he trusted his daughter's abilities, he couldn't ignore the slight unease that came with her leaving, even if only for a short while.

Just as the final arrangements were being completed, hurried footsteps echoed down the stone path.

Adam.

He had run all the way from the training grounds, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. His eyes scanned the courtyard until they landed on Alissa, relief washing over his face.

"I made it," he said breathlessly.

Alissa turned at the sound of his voice, smiling in amusement. "You nearly missed me."

"Never," Adam said, shaking his head.

King Mathias glanced between them but said nothing, merely observing the exchange with quiet interest.

As the final moments before departure approached, Alissa turned to Adam. "Come with me," she said, lowering her voice slightly. "I have something to say."

Adam hesitated, glancing at the knights and the king, but Mathias merely gave a nod, allowing them a moment alone.

Alissa led him toward the garden, using the excuse of needing fresh air before the journey. Once they were away from watchful eyes, she turned to him, her expression softening.

"I will only be gone for a short time," she reassured him.

"I know," Adam said, studying her face. "But it doesn't change the fact that I'll miss you."

Alissa smiled, stepping closer. "Then you will have to wait for me, won't you?"

Before he could respond, she cupped his face and pressed her lips to his in a slow, lingering kiss. Adam responded almost instantly, his hands resting on her waist, pulling her gently toward him. The world around them faded, leaving only the warmth between them.

They were unaware of the silent figure watching from a distance. General Grendy stood in the shadows, his sharp gaze taking in the sight before him. He said nothing, merely observing, before quietly turning away.

When they finally pulled apart, Adam exhaled, resting his forehead against hers. "You should go before I decide to steal you away."

Alissa chuckled. "You would have to fight my guards first."

"Perhaps I would," he teased.

With a final brush of his fingers against hers, they returned to the courtyard. Mathias gave his daughter a brief embrace, then she mounted her horse.

As the gates opened, she glanced back one last time, her gaze finding Adam's. A silent promise passed between them before she turned forward and rode off toward her future.

Adam stood still, watching until she disappeared beyond the horizon, unaware that his father had seen everything.