Lyra pov

I walked closer to the throne, noticing as Varken was fighting against the guards.

"You're late, Malrick," she said, and I stopped, knowing she was falling for me.

"I'm sorry, my queen, I had an urgent matter that needed attending to," I responded, and she scoffed.

"Hold him down," she spat at the men who held Varken down. Xadrien stayed quietly on the ground, not even looking at me.

"Tell 'em you caught her. You know how much fun it would be now if she were here," Vivian said to ...