NYX

I hid the little sex book and went back to socializing, but my mind couldn’t stop thinking about those filthy images.

And how badly I wanted to try them with my mate... yeah, I’m not exactly “normal” either.

That night, they gave me a room far from the royal chambers.

I knew damn well my grandfather had his claws in that decision.

Honestly, I didn’t see the point in being guarded so much, but that’s just how they were.

They always seemed to need an excuse to argue all day.

They tried the same thing with Lyra, but since she already had the “knot” shoved in her throat, there was no point pretending she was innocent anymore.

As I followed behind the maid leading me to my room, I caught sight of Aidan talking to his father on the landing of the first floor.

Through the stairs, our eyes locked.

“Sleep well, my love,” he said sweetly in my mind, and I answered the same.

I kept walking, but I confess—my chest ached with a tiny stab of disappointment.

What did I expect him to say?

“Wait f