The morning air was crisp, causing my nightgown to flutter. I found myself gazing out at the garden, another sleepless night behind me.
The darkness and confusion were trying to seep into my precious memories. I couldn’t let them win, but what was my alternative? To become a burden again?
I was supposed to be free, but things were only getting worse. My mind was in a constant search for a solution, something that wouldn’t involve Azriel or Maximus.
The last thing I wanted was to cause them any trouble. They had enough on their plates.
Was I being selfish? Perhaps, but all I craved was peace. Maybe I should have let Andrei do as he pleased with me. He could have been my ticket to freedom, my end to the pain.
I sighed. The fear of closing my eyes was real. The only time I felt a sense of calm was when Maximus was near. His presence brought a sense of safety. I leaned on the balcony rail, my gaze fixed on the fields.
I found myself thinking about what happened yesterday, during our intimate moment. The memory of our passion made me blush.
I had to admit, I felt at home, especially when Maximus held me in his arms.
I smiled. Was I falling for him? I had to admit, I was already in love with him. When Azriel proposed, Maximus was the only one on my mind.
I couldn’t say yes to Azriel. My lips wouldn’t allow it, and for once, I was grateful. It might sound harsh, but my feelings for Azriel were just a faint echo of love. Not like what I felt for Maximus. It was different.
Deciding to head back inside, I adjusted the long quilt wrapped around me. The morning was cold, and winter was on its way. I was excited for the first snowfall.
It had been a while since I met everyone. I wondered what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met them. Would I still be alive? Would my father still be tormenting me?
At least he did one good thing, and that was sending me to Maximus. I grabbed a glass of water, looking around. The house was still quiet. Then, as if on cue, I heard a soft knock.
“Princess?” Jonathan’s voice came from the other side. I smiled and let him in. “Good morning, you’re up early.”
“Yes.” I smiled back.
“I brought you breakfast; I hope you’re hungry,” Jonathan said, setting the tray down. I looked at him; he seemed tired. Was he also having trouble sleeping?
“Jonathan?” I called, making him hum in response. “Look at me.” My voice came out more like a command, causing him to turn his head in surprise.
I was using my powers on him.
He looked shocked. But I had no other choice.
“What did Azriel tell you?” I asked him. After what happened with Lilith, I had a question that I didn’t dare ask Azriel. I knew he would get angry if I did.
“What do you mean, your highness?” Jonathan asked. He was frozen. I waved my hand, releasing him from my power.
“Don’t hide anything. What did Azriel tell you when you asked for Lilith to come here?” I looked at him.
I knew he had requested for Lilith to come to Maximus’s palace, but Azriel had denied it, saying it was a punishment for her actions.
I knew Lilith was in the wrong, but how long could he hold it against her? Did he regret everything?
“He... King Azriel didn’t say much. He just said I couldn’t,” Jonathan replied.
I looked at him; he was lying.
“Jonathan, I’m asking you because I care about you and Lilith. But please, what did Azriel really say to you? You came back to Maximus for a reason, didn’t you?” I tried to reason with him.
“Did Azriel threaten you?”
He looked at me, his eyes wide. I knew Azriel was capable of many things, but threatening him?
“Tell me, Jonathan. Don’t make me use my powers on you.” I sighed.
“Yes... He warned me to stay away from his sister. That once Lilith’s punishment was over, she would be sent away. Never to return,” Jonathan admitted, his head bowed.
I groaned and looked at him. He was smiling, but it was a sad smile.
“It’s okay. I know I’ll see Lilith again someday,” Jonathan mumbled. I had no words to comfort him. Then, excusing himself, Jonathan left my room.
I hated what Azriel was doing. It wasn’t fair. I massaged my face, groaning again. I needed to talk to him, to plead for both of them, so Jonathan could take Lilith away.
My stomach growled as I looked at the tray of food. Standing, I walked over and checked what he had brought me. My stomach growled again. Finally, I was hungry.
I sat down and started to eat.
In less than twenty minutes, I finished my meal. I was starving. This was the first time I ate so quickly.
Hearing the door open, I turned and saw it was Maximus. I lowered my head and quietly sipped my tea. The argument from last night was still fresh in my mind.
“Good morning, Amari,” Maximus murmured, sliding into the seat across from me.
“Morning.” I returned his greeting with a smile. “Sleep well?”
“Yeah, I did,” he replied, his gaze drifting to my breakfast tray. “Looks like you’ve already eaten.”
“Yeah,” I confirmed, setting my cup down and rising from my seat. “I thought I’d take a look around. It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Hope that’s okay.”
“Of course, Amari. This is your home,” Maximus assured me. I caught his reflection in the mirror and nodded, trying to steer clear of the conversation we’d had last night.
“Amari, can we—”
“I’m going to take a shower. Can we talk later?” I cut him off, shutting the bathroom door behind me. I leaned against it, eyes closed, and muttered a curse under my breath.
I’d been harsh, but the last thing I wanted was to revisit last night’s conversation. I’d barely slept a wink.
I stripped down and started the bath, waiting for it to fill. A loud door slam echoed from the other side of the wall. Maximus was clearly upset, but I’d apologize later.
I sighed, adding some bath salts to the water and swirling them around. Once the bath was ready, I climbed in. I leaned back against the tub, took a deep breath, and tried to relax. I needed to calm down.
I’d come over intending to apologize, but she’d shut me out before I could get a word in. Was she still mad about last night?
I knew I’d acted impulsively, but all I wanted was for her to be happy, not upset—especially not with me. So, with a sigh, I retreated to my room to get ready for the day.
I’d hoped to share breakfast with her, but she’d already eaten. And she looked exhausted.
I’d noticed this pattern with her. She hadn’t been sleeping well, and it was something I’d picked up on back at Azriel’s palace.
The night I found her in the bathroom, terrified as if she’d seen a ghost, had unsettled me. What was she hiding now?
Were her memories of Andrei haunting her? I wanted Amari to tell me what was wrong. With a sigh, I got dressed and headed to my office.
I’d been working on some paperwork that had piled up during my absence. Devika’s sister had been helping out while I was away, and I was grateful for her assistance, but there was still a lot to do.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I looked up, half-expecting to see Amari, but it was Jonathan.
“Lunch is ready, Your Majesty,” he informed me. I frowned.
“Where’s Amari?” I asked.
Jonathan blinked a few times before responding.
“I thought she was with you.” He looked puzzled.
I put down my pen and stared at him.
“What do you mean? Amari said she was going to walk around and explore the palace. Didn’t she do that?” I was confused.
“No, no one has seen her,” Jonathan mumbled, his gaze dropping to the floor. He seemed deep in thought.
I frowned, then it hit me.
“Fuck!” I exclaimed, jumping up from my desk and bolting out of the office.
She couldn’t still be in the bathroom, could she?
I sprinted down the hallways, bumping into several servants as I made my way to her room. I threw open the doors and called out for her, but there was no response.
Her belongings were exactly as she’d left them before I’d retreated to my room. I tried the bathroom door, but it was locked.
“AMARI?” I shouted, pounding on the door. In a fit of desperation, I kicked the door, breaking it off its hinges. My eyes darted around the room until they landed on the bathtub. “AMARI!”
I rushed over to the tub and knelt down, reaching for her. Her body was cold and rigid.
“AMARI, WAKE UP!” I yelled, panic setting in as I realized she wasn’t breathing. Her lips were tinged with blue.
I laid her down and started performing CPR.
“COME ON, AMARI!” I shouted, tears stinging my eyes. She wasn’t responding. I called for help, and the sound of approaching footsteps filled the room. “Get Michael, NOW!” I ordered.
I continued to administer CPR. Why had I left her alone?
My hands were shaking as they searched for a pulse. My gaze fell on our mark. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it.
I bit my hand, letting the blood drip onto the mark. I didn’t know why I was doing this, but something inside me urged me to. It was a desperate move, but I was willing to try anything.
As my blood soaked into her skin, I kept trying to revive her. Our mark began to glow, and suddenly Amari gasped for air. As she coughed, I helped her sit up and gently rubbed her back.
“You’re safe,” I reassured her, my voice breaking. Footsteps echoed in the room, and I looked up to see Michael standing there, stunned. “Help her, please,” I pleaded.
Michael nodded and knelt down, quickly beginning to examine her. Noticing her shivering, I reached for a towel.
I scooped Amari up in a towel.
“We need to get her to bed,” Michael said, his voice laced with worry. I shot him a puzzled look.
Amari clung to me, her body wracked with coughs. Was she okay?
Michael nudged me aside to examine Amari.
“Jonathan, can you grab some tea and dry clothes?” I asked. He nodded, his face mirroring my concern, and hurried off.
“Could you give us a moment?” Michael asked, his gaze serious. I frowned. Why was he asking me to leave?
“I can stay,” I protested, but he shook his head.
“Please, Maximus,” Michael implored. Was she hurt? My mind raced with possibilities. Had something caused her to nearly drown?
I glanced back at the bathroom, then at her. She was pale, her body shaking. “Maximus, just five minutes. I’ll call you back in soon.”
With a sigh, I shook my head and turned to leave. I needed to understand why he wanted me out. I cast one last look at Amari, then lowered my gaze and closed the bedroom door behind me.
My body shook as I coughed. What the hell just happened?
I couldn’t remember what had led up to this. I remembered stepping into the bathtub, and then as I started to wash, a throbbing pain began in my head. The same pain I’d felt before my mind went blank.
After that, nothing.
Michael was checking my pulse as I continued to cough. I wrapped the towel tighter around myself and looked at his furrowed brow. What was going on?
“Amari,” Michael began, then stopped. His gaze shifted to the door. He raised his hand, muttered something, and a barrier materialized.
“I need you to be honest with me about something. Can you do that?”
I frowned at him. What was he about to ask?
“Sure.” I coughed again.
“Amari, who is the father of the child you’re carrying?” Michael asked. I sucked in a sharp breath, my skin prickling with goosebumps.
“F-father?” I stammered, unsure if I’d heard him right.
“Amari, you’re pregnant.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I looked away, shivers running up my spine. My mind was a whirlwind. Then, a thought struck me.
First, my stomach churned, and I lurched to the edge of the bed to vomit. Then, my body began to shake uncontrollably.
“N-no…,” I stammered, a single name flashing in my mind. “N-no, that can’t be.”
“What’s wrong, Amari?” Michael asked, his hand on my shoulder. I felt dizzy. I bit my trembling lip, closed my eyes, and let the tears fall.
“I think… I-I think it’s Andrei.”
