SELENA POV

He nodded slowly, the weight of the answer heavy in his gaze. “Every word, my princess. His story aligns with what we have confirmed through our sources. Lyra did manipulate the bind. Nothing truly happened between them. His love for you remains unchanged.”

A flicker of relief tried to break through the storm inside me, but I didn’t allow it. My love for Marcus lingered still, yes, but so did the memory of betrayal, secrecy, and heartbreak. Forgiveness would not come easily. ...