I was dragged back to the palace under heavy guard, straight into the gilded cage I had tried so desperately to escape. My father was furious, the castle was on lockdown, and my wedding to the Prince of Oakhaven was moved up to tomorrow.

But none of that hurt as much as the betrayal stinging my chest.

I paced my opulent bedchamber, the silk of my nightgown swishing violently around my ankles. I couldn't take it anymore. I marched to the heavy oak doors and threw them open. There he stood. Kaelen. No longer dressed in scuffed leather, he was clad in the magnificent, imposing silver and gold armor of the Elite Royal Guard. He looked like a stranger.

"Get inside," I ordered, my voice shaking with unshed tears.

He stepped into the room, closing the door softly behind him. He removed his helmet, revealing those intense amber eyes that had haunted my every waking moment.

"How could you?" I demanded, hitting his armored chest with my fists. "Every smile, every touch... it was a lie! A mission from my father!"

Kaelen caught my wrists. His grip was firm, yet incredibly gentle. "The mission was a lie," he rasped, his composure finally breaking. "I was ordered to follow you, to ensure you didn't get yourself killed in the lower wards. I let you believe the ruse to give you the one thing you begged the stars for—a normal life."

He pulled me closer, the cold metal of his breastplate pressing against my silk-clad chest. "But everything else, Elara? That was real. Falling in love with you... that was never part of my orders."

A sob tore from my throat. All the anger I felt melted under the burning sincerity in his eyes. I realized then that he hadn't just been protecting my life; he had been protecting my fragile dream of freedom. I tilted my head up, and when his mouth crashed down onto mine, it tasted of desperation, apologies, and a love that was practically treason.

 "Falling in love with you... that was never part of my orders." The angst and betrayal are absolutely delicious! 🥺 Do you forgive Kaelen for his royal deception? 👇 Hit ❤️ to support their forbidden love, and share this heart-wrenching confrontation! 🏰