pain pulsing through them. The golden cuffs had been removed days ago, yet the sensation of cold metal remained, a cruel reminder that

ve. She exhaled sharply,

the ceiling, golden candlelight flickered against marbled walls, and an intoxicating floral scent ling

Yet there was an undeniable weight behind it. Celestine didn't move. The door opened anyway.Lucien stepped inside.His presence filled the space instantly-tall, commanding,

Lucien tilted his head slightly, studying her. "And yet, here I am." Celestine clenched her jaw. Lucien sighed

e chair across from her, folding his han

Now, she had no master, no orders, no collar around her throat. And yet, she still felt owned. Lucien leaned forward slightly. "He's coming, you know .Celestine's breath hitched. She didn

.Lucien sighed, rubbing his temple. "You have a choice, Celestine." She laughed bitterly. "No, I don't."Lucien's gaze darkened slightly. "You always have a choice. You just don't like either option."Celestine gritted her teeth. "And what are my options, Lucien?" Lucien leaned back, watc

gers twisting into the soft fabric. "Running

still found you." A shiver crawled down her spine. She hated how easily Lucien cut through her defenses. He had always been like this-too perceptive, too calm, too infuriatingly right. "He hasn't found me yet," she muttered. Lucien tilted his head. "But he will." Celestine squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. She knew. She had always kn

er laugh. "No one can help me

it soon." Celestine swallowed hard. Her fingers hesitated, but in the end, she reached out. The cold metal settled into her palm, heavy with the weight of everything it meant. She traced her thumb along the hilt, the intricate markings carved into it as familiar as her own scars. This dagger had ended Valerian's life once. But had it truly ended him? Her grip tightened. She wanted to believe she could do it again. That she would be strong enough. But something deep inside her whispered otherwise. Lucien watched her carefully. "He's not the same man you killed, Celestine." Her jaw clenched. "And what does that mean?" Lucien exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. "It means death changed him." A sharp chill ran through her veins. Lucien never spoke in riddles. He never exaggerated. So if he wa