Chapter 123
Chapter 123
Ellie POV
Kieran’s words clung to me like smoke I couldn’t shake off. A political marriage. The phrase had echoed in my head since they’d been spoken, weaving itself into my mind until it was all I could think about.
Guests were starting to leave, making their goodbyes, but the party wasn’t done just yet. I was standing near the door waiting for Lance and Nolan, who were speaking to Cassian and Alaric. I had already excused myself, stating that I was tired and wanted a little air before the long drive back.
But the truth was that Kieran’s offer had put me off balance and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Marriage. Again.
Even the thought made my stomach twist. I’d barely survived one union-an arrangement that had never been mine to choose, one that had left scars deeper than I wanted to admit.
Even if things with Nolan had improved, that didn’t take away from the fact that this marriage was a disaster.
The idea of stepping into another, even if only for politics, felt like willingly binding myself in chains again.
And yet, a part of me couldn’t deny the logic of it. He was right about the whispers, about the expectations that came with being labeled the goddess’s messenger.
So far, people had treated me with wary reverence, but reverence could sour into fear. Fear could turn to hatred. Nolan had told me himself more than once-power drew both loyalty and enemies.
But marriage? That wasn’t the answer. Not for me.
I was still turning the thought over when Kieran found me again. I’d stepped out into the palace gardens for some quiet, the air fresh with the scent of late summer blooms. The moonlight filtered through the trees, dappling the stone path with light, and for a fleeting moment, I almost felt at peace.
Then his voice cut through the stillness.
“You seem lost in thought p>
I glanced over my shoulder. Kieran approached with his usual composed grace, hands clasped behind his back, his sharp eyes trained on me like he could read every word I hadn’t spoken.
“Just enjoying the air,” I said lightly. “It’s less crowded out here p>
“Crowds can be suffocating,” he agreed, falling into step beside me. “Especially when their eyes are all on you p>
I didn’t answer. He wasn’t wrong.
For a while we walked in silence, the gravel crunching beneath our feet. Finally, I stopped near a stone bench and turned to face him. “About what you said p>
“Ah,” he said with a faint smile. “Straight to it. I like that p>
“You caught me off guard p>
“That was the point p>
I crossed my arms. “Marriage is… it’s not something I can even think about right now. Not seriously. I don’t see a need for something that drastic. People may call me the messenger, but no one’s given me trouble for it. Not yet.
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Chiste: 129
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Besides that, I am still married to Nolan p>
Kieran studied me for a long moment, then shook his head slightly, as though disappointed.
“Not yet,” he echoed. “But they will. You’re too smart not to see it, Ellie. Reverence is fragile. One wrong step, one misinterpreted word, and the crowd will turn on you. Do you really think Nolan will protect you when that happens? Or that his pack will p>
His tone wasn’t cruel, but it was cutting, and it landed deeper than I wanted to admit.
I wasn’t sure. Nolan had banished Felicity for me. I knew how hard that was for him; he had truly loved her. But could I expect him to step up again, if it meant exposing himself to public ridicule?
I had his promise to protect me, but he’d broken promises to me many times in the past.
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