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October 14 - November 11, 2025
woman like you wants to be loved, deeply and without constraint, by someone who knows the true you and adores you all the same.”
“I would say I don’t bite—but I’m not a liar. Although I prefer to do it in private.”
“But it is. Everyone who comes close to me risks their lives. And now I’ve risked yours too. I’ve been so stupid, but I can’t seem to stay away from you.”
“Tell me. Tell me you burn for me like I burn for you. Tell me your heart stops when I walk into a room like mine does for you. Tell me you can’t stop thinking about me like I can’t go a waking second without thinking about you. Tell me you don’t want me to stay away.”
“I’m not the begging type, Lessia. But if you need me to, I’ll get on my knees. I’m already risking everything. I don’t mind throwing my pride into the ring as well.”
I am not known to let opportunities pass me by, and I won’t do it with you. If I am lucky enough that the feelings I sense from you are true, I will always cherish them. I’ll do anything to keep them, fuel them, make them burn bright even in the darkest of winter.”
“I can smell him on you. Spare me the details.”
His lips brushed her cheek. “But I’ve come to like throwing you around, so please refrain from denying me the pleasure in the future.”
Loche was seated next to her, and he seemed to be unable to stop himself from touching her. Even as he shuffled food into his mouth, his other hand rested on her leg, stroked her back, and played with her hair, and wide-eyed stares were thrown their way when he lifted her hand to kiss
“I’ve wanted you for a long time, Lessia,” he whispered. “Longer than you can imagine.”
He fidgeted with his gray cloak before he continued. “We had difficulty figuring out what choice we’d offer you, but your friend’s betrayal of Ellow made it clear. Your task is simple: you need to decide whether to execute Ardow today or banish Amalise from Ellow forever.”
Her father.
WHAT
But then Merrick froze beside her, and his face slowly moved from her to her father.
“Will you stay with me?” Loche pulled her closer, lowering his voice. “I mean, stay and rule with me. They’ve opened the vote, and it seems I will win, but I’d like to share the regent position with you. I think I have much to learn from you. Besides”—he winked—“we make a good team.”
“Alarin’s daughter isn’t dead,” he whispered.
I’ll even pardon Ardow if that’s what it takes for you to stay.”
“I said. Take. Them. Away. Take my feelings away. Take every memory of us. I only want to remember you as the spy who snaked her way into our election. Nothing else.” Loche’s hands balled into fists as he glared at her.
Zaddock scratched his chin. “I’m being sent away anyway. And while I don’t blame Loche for his reaction today, I think it was rash. He will regret it. Well, when he remembers. And when he does, this is what he would want for you.”
“Hi,” he whispered. “Hi,” she rasped,
“Then it’s time for you to meet Raine.”
