chapter 29

Chapter 29

The road to Valla stretched long before her, the banners of her homeland finally in sight. The Citadel had been a world of knowledge and silent judgment, but here-this was home. Or so she told herself.

As the gates loomed closer, Alissa straightened her posture, keeping her expression composed. The city's streets, lined with merchants and townsfolk, came alive as they caught sight of her. Whispers followed her procession, some curious, others respectful.

When they passed through the gates, her heart clenched. The scent of the familiar city air, the sight of the towering palace, it all should have been comforting. But something in her felt different, as if she had left behind a part of herself at the Citadel.

She dismounted from her horse, dust settling around her boots. A servant rushed to take the reins while she adjusted the strap of the satchel slung over her shoulder. She was more exhausted than she had realized.

Then, from the palace steps, a figure emerged.

King Mathias stood tall, his dark eyes watching her closely. He was dressed simply, as he often was when he was not in court, the weight of the crown evident on his features. His expression was unreadable at first, but as she stepped closer, she saw it-the quiet relief in his eyes.

She walked up to him, and without hesitation, he pulled her into a firm embrace.

"Welcome home, my daughter."

The warmth of his voice settled the unease in her chest, and she closed her eyes briefly before stepping back.

"It is good to be home, Father."

He studied her carefully, as if searching for something in her face. "And? How was it?"

Alissa hesitated for only a moment. "Difficult. But I did my best."

Mathias nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. "That is all I could ask for."

Then, another voice-smooth, measured, and unmistakable-cut through the moment.

"I trust you did not return empty-handed?"

Alissa turned to see her brother, Prince Alistair, descending the palace steps. His sharp gaze held a flicker of amusement.

"I see you are still insufferable," Alissa quipped.

Alistair smirked. "And I see the Citadel has not beaten that sharp tongue out of you."

She scoffed, shaking her head, but despite herself, she smiled.

"Come," Mathias said, leading them inside. "We have much to discuss."

As she stepped through the grand doors, Alissa exhaled softly. She was home-but something told her that her trials were only just beginning.

---

The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the Grendy estate when the news reached Adam. He had just stepped into the courtyard, wiping sweat from his brow, when a messenger arrived. The boy-no older than fifteen-halted before him, chest rising and falling with hurried breaths.

"Lady Alissa has returned, my lord."

Adam stilled. For a moment, the world around him faded.

She was home.

Without another thought, he turned sharply, moving toward the stables. But before he could reach his horse, a voice called from behind.

"Adam."

His mother's tone was calm, but there was no mistaking the authority in it. Lady Elena Grendy stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her gaze knowing.

"Where are you rushing off to?"

He barely spared her a glance. "To the palace."

"Not tonight, you are not."

Adam turned fully now, brows drawing together. "She has been gone for too long-"

"And she will be with her family now." Lady Elena stepped forward, her voice even, measured. "You will not go barging into the palace like some lovesick fool. You will wait until tomorrow, when she is settled."

His jaw tightened. "I will not even see her, just-"

She placed a firm hand on his arm, eyes unwavering. "You will wait."

For a moment, Adam stood rigid, fighting the urge to argue. But deep down, he knew she was right. Alissa was not merely a girl returning home; she was the king's daughter, and tonight, she would belong to her family.

Slowly, he exhaled. "Fine."

Lady Elena nodded approvingly. "Good. Now come. Your father is expecting you at supper."

Adam followed, but his mind was far from the meal. As the night deepened, he sat in the hall, barely touching his food, his thoughts drifting to Alissa.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, he would see her.

-----

The palace lay in silence, the night wrapping around it like a shroud. Only the distant sound of boots against stone from the patrolling guards disturbed the stillness. Adam moved with practiced ease, slipping past the courtyard and making his way along the outer walls. The guards hadn't seen him coming. They never did.

He had waited all day. He wasn't waiting any longer.

Alissa's chamber was dimly lit, the single flickering candle casting shadows against the walls. She sat by the window, staring out at the darkened city, lost in thought. The Citadel already felt distant, though she had barely returned. Home felt the same, yet different. She felt different.

A soft knock at her balcony door made her breath catch.

She turned quickly, her heart hammering.

Only one person would come to her like this.

She hurried to the door, her fingers fumbling slightly with the latch. The moment she pulled it open, Adam stepped inside, the night air clinging to him. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his breathing unsteady from the climb, but his eyes-warm and familiar-held only her.

Alissa barely had time to react before he pulled her into his arms, his embrace tight, desperate. She melted into him, pressing her face against his chest as he held her close.

"You're here," she whispered.

"Of course I am," he murmured. "I couldn't wait until morning."

She pulled back slightly, searching his face. "How did you get past the guards?"

A smirk played on his lips. "They didn't see me."

She rolled her eyes. "One day, you'll get caught."

"Not tonight." His voice was soft, but his grip on her didn't loosen.

Her fingers curled into his tunic. "I missed you."

Adam exhaled, resting his forehead against hers. "I missed you more."

His thumb brushed over her cheek, his gaze dark and unreadable. "You were gone too long, Alissa."

Her breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips brushing hers-soft at first, then deeper, more certain. She sighed against him, her hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. He kissed her as if he had been starving for her, as if he was trying to make up for every moment they had spent apart.

His hands skimmed down her back, pulling her closer, but then he suddenly stilled. His grip on her tightened, and he let out a slow, controlled breath.

"Alissa," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "If we don't stop now-"

She understood.

Her chest rose and fell with uneven breaths. She wanted him-gods, she did.

But not yet.

She touched his face gently, her fingers brushing along his jaw. "Not yet."

Adam let out a slow breath before pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. "I know."

For a long moment, they simply held each other, breathing in the quiet.

Finally, Adam sighed, stepping back. "I should go before I overstay my luck."

Alissa managed a smile. "Luck has never been on your side."

He chuckled. "It is when I'm with you."

With one last stolen kiss, he disappeared into the night, leaving her breathless, her skin still tingling from his touch

-----

The fire burned low in Alistair's chambers, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. The night was quiet, the palace settled into an uneasy peace. Jasmine sat across from him, reclining on the chair by the hearth, a goblet of wine in her hand.

"You seem distant," she noted, tilting her head as she studied him.

Alistair, seated on the edge of his bed, exhaled slowly. "It's nothing."

Jasmine arched a brow. "You were always a poor liar, Alistair."

A wry smile flickered across his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then perhaps I've simply grown tired of speaking the truth."

She hummed, swirling the wine in her goblet. "You always think too much."

He leaned back against the headboard, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "And you never think enough."

She laughed softly, setting her cup aside. "That is why we balance each other, do we not?"

For a long moment, neither spoke. The silence between them was not uncomfortable, but it carried an unspoken weight. Jasmine stood, crossing the room to sit beside him on the bed.

"I remember when we were children," she mused, her voice softer now. "I used to chase after you, and you'd always run away."

Alistair smirked. "You were insufferable."

"And you were stubborn." She leaned in slightly, her fingers brushing against his wrist. "But you never truly pushed me away."

Alistair turned his head, meeting her gaze. There was something unreadable in her expression, something knowing. The distance between them shrank, and before he could think better of it, Jasmine closed the gap.

Her lips were soft, tasting faintly of wine and something sweet. He hesitated for only a moment before responding, his hands coming to rest at her waist. The kiss deepened, slow at first, then more urgent.

She shifted, pressing closer, her fingers sliding up his chest before reaching for the laces of his tunic.

But suddenly, Alistair froze.

Reality slammed into him like cold water, and he pulled away abruptly.

"No." His breath was unsteady, his heart hammering. He quickly sat up, running a hand down his face. "I- I shouldn't have."

Jasmine blinked, slightly breathless, before offering him a small, knowing smile. "There is nothing to apologize for, Alistair." She reached for his hand, but he didn't take it. "We are to be wed soon. This would not be wrong."

He said nothing.

Silence stretched between them, heavier this time. Jasmine studied him for a moment before standing. She smoothed her dress, then leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek.

"Good night, my prince," she murmured before turning toward the door.

Alistair didn't stop her. He only watched as she left, the door shutting softly behind her.

And then he sat there, staring at the dying embers of the fire, feeling more trapped than ever.