I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kassian. I felt his touch, felt his breath on my skin and our bond growing. But when things felt too good, Diana would appear. I heard her voice, echoing in my head. Should I still expect you in my chambers later? The words played on repeat, a constant reminder that I wasn't the only woman in Kassian's life.

It shouldn't have bothered me. I didn't want Kassian. This was a transaction, nothing more.

So why did my chest ache every time I thought about him with her?

Because he's our mate, Artemis growled. Ours. And that female touched what belongs to us.

"He doesn't belong to us," I muttered into my pillow.

Artemis huffed in disagreement but went quiet.

I was still awake when dawn broke. I gave up on sleep and dragged myself out of bed, my body aching with exhaustion.

A knock at the door made me jump.

"Come in," I called, pulling a robe over my nightgown.

Iris entered carrying a breakfast tray. She took one look at me and frowned. "You look tired. Didn't sleep?"

"Not really."

She studied me with knowing eyes. "Heard you tried running.” My cheeks burned from embarrassment.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. She let out a sigh, then smiled tenderly.

“I understand,” Iris looked at me like she could tell what was in my mind. “I heard you met Diana last night. Does your sour morning have anything to do with her?”

I stiffened. "You know about her?" That was a silly question, but I asked anyway.

"Everyone knows about her." Iris sat on the edge of the bed. "She's been with Kassian for a hundred years. She was a slave when he found her—broken, abused, and barely alive. He saved her. Gave her a home. And she became his companion. Someone to ease the loneliness of his curse."

The words settled over me like a dead weight. A hundred years. Diana had spent a century with him.

"Does he... love her?" I asked, hating how small my voice sounded.

Iris was quiet for a moment. "He cares for her. But love? No. He never marked her or claimed her as his mate. He was always waiting." She paused. "For you."

"I'm not staying," I responded too quickly. "As soon as the curse is broken and the baby comes, I'm leaving."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, dear. In eight months, you might have a change of heart." Iris patted my hand. "But be careful around Diana. She's not the type to let go of something she considers hers. And Kassian is hers in her mind. She’ll see you as a threat."

I thought about the way Diana had looked at me in the garden. The venom beneath her pleasant smile.

"I noticed," I said quietly.

After Iris left, I forced myself to eat. The food was delicious, but it sat heavily in my stomach. I needed a distraction. I needed to do something instead of drowning in jealousy I had no right to feel.

So I decided to explore the palace. If I was going to be trapped here, I might as well get used to this place.

Guards fell into step behind me when I left my chambers. I ignored them and made my way through the winding corridors. The palace was massive, all soaring ceilings and marble floors. Servants gave me curious looks as I passed, some muttering to themselves.

I found the library on the third floor. It was enormous, filled with books from floor to ceiling, sunlight streaming through tall windows.

Perfect.

I needed to research the curse. Kassian had told me almost nothing, and I refused to go into this blind.

I pulled books from the shelves—old tomes on curses, on soul bonds, on ancient magic. I settled into a chair by the window and started reading, losing myself in the words.

I was so absorbed that I didn't hear her approach.

"Well, well. The dungeon rat can read. How impressive."

I looked up sharply. Diana stood over me, her smile unpleasant and her eyes cold. I glanced toward the door. The guards were gone. Conveniently.

"Diana." I kept my voice flat. "Can I help you with something?"

"I just came to see how you're settling in." She picked up one of my books, examining it with exaggerated interest. "Researching curses? How ambitious. Though I have to wonder if you understand even half of these words. Three years in a dungeon has a way of dwindling the brain."

I bit back the sharp retort that rose to my lips. Of cours,e she knew about my past. I’m sure by now, the word had spread about me.

I held back on replying. She just wanted a reaction from me.

I turned back to my reading. "If you have something important to say, say it. Otherwise, I'm busy."

"Oh, I'll say it." She stopped in front of me, blocking the sunlight. "You think you're special because of the mate bond? Bonds can be broken, Alessia. When Kassian realizes how worthless you really are—damaged goods carrying another man's bastard—he'll get rid of you."

The words hit exactly where she'd intended. But I didn't let it show.

I looked up at her, keeping my expression blank. "Are you finished?"

Diana's eyes flashed with anger. She didn't like that I wasn't reacting the way she wanted.

"Not even close," she said softly.

She turned toward a candle burning on the side table, her movements casual as she reached for it. But I saw the calculation in her eyes.

"You know," she continued, lifting the candle, "you really should be more careful in the library. So many flammable things around. Books. Curtains." Her gaze dropped to my dress. "Clothing."

She moved as if to set the candle back down, but her hand ‘slipped.’ The candle tumbled, and hot wax splashed across my lap. The flame caught the fabric instantly.

Fire bloomed across my skirt, spreading fast.

I lurched out of the chair with a gasp, frantically batting at the flames. The heat seared my hands, panic clawing up my throat as the fire grew. For a horrible second, I was back in the cell, back in the torture—

"Oh no!" Diana's voice cut through my panic. "Guards! Someone help! There's been an accident!"

She grabbed a large piece of cloth that had been hanging on a shelf and threw it over my skirt, smothering the flames. By the time servants and guards came running, the fire was out. But my dress was scorched, my hands were singed red, and I was shaking from pain.

Diana played her part perfectly. She fussed over me with wide, concerned eyes. "I'm so sorry! Are you alright? Should we call for the healer?"

I stared at her, fury warring inside me. She'd done this on purpose. And now she was acting like it was an accident.

There was nothing I could say to defend myself. There was no proof, no witnesses. Just her word against mine.

"I'm fine," I managed, my voice hoarse. "I need to go back to my room."

"Of course. Let me help you—"

"No." I jerked away from her touch. "I can manage on my own."

I pushed past her and the gathered servants, ignoring their concerned murmurs. My hands throbbed, and I could feel blisters forming.

Diana had just declared war.

I made it back to my chambers and shut the door behind me, breathing heavily as I tried to fight back the tears from spilling down my face. The dress was ruined, and the smell of burned fabric clung to my skin. My hands were red, already blistering, and there were ashes on my skin. I needed to clean them before they got worse.

I moved toward the bathroom on shaky legs. I turned on the water in the large copper tub, watching the water rise.

My hands fumbled with the buttons of my dress. The fabric stuck to my burned skin, making me hiss with pain. But I managed to get it off finally, letting it fall on the floor. The undergarments followed until I was standing naked.

I caught my reflection in the mirro,r and my breath caught in my throat. I couldn't remember the last time I’d looked at myself.

I was too thin, and my ribs were faintly visible. My dark auburn hair had grown from the last time Selene chopped it off in the dungeon. It was long, cascading over my shoulders. The color wasn’t as dull as I’d expected it to be. It shone.

My face still looked the same, but a little bit more hollow. My emerald green eyes had a soft, youthful look in them, despite the horrors they’d seen. I turned to look at my body. Scars crisscrossed my back and arms, a reminder of the torture I’d faced.

But there were new good things I noticed. The small swell of my abdomen. The color in my cheeks and the flesh on my arms. I was recovering.

I turned away from the mirror and walked towards the tub.

Just as I raised a foot to step into the tub, the bathroom door opened.

I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat. Kassian stood in the doorway of the bathing room, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of my completely naked body.

For a long moment, neither of us moved or spoke.

His gaze traveled over me slowly—taking in the burns on my hands, the scorched fabric on the floor, the lingering fear in my eyes. And then lower, seeing all of me.

I should have covered myself. Should have grabbed something to hide behind.

But I didn't.

I just stood there, frozen, as his eyes darkened to molten gold and the air between us crackled with sudden, overwhelming tension.

"Alessia," he said, his voice rough and strained. "What happened?"