Gabriel returned to his room after a long, draining conversation with his father, only to hear his sister’s voice drifting through the air.
"She didn’t run away," he said as he stepped inside. Moving to stand just behind Amelie, his gaze settled on Katelyn with a frown. "And who said you could come here without letting me know?"
Katelyn stood up, visibly disheartened. "Brother, it’s been so long since I last saw you, and this is how you greet me?" she said. "Can’t you speak with a little more warmth?"
"Kindness isn’t something I wear well," Gabriel replied coldly. "It’s late. Amelie and I still need to eat before we turn in for the night. We can talk tomorrow."
Katelyn’s lips curled into a faint scowl. "Good night, Amelie. I’ll see you in the morning," she said curtly, and swept out of the room.
"You could’ve been a little more polite," Amelie said softly, rising to her feet. "She was kind to me... she didn’t judge me."
Gabriel didn’t answer. "Come, let’s eat," he said instead, already turning toward the door. Amelie followed him in silence.
After they shared a satisfying meal, Amelie looked up at him and asked gently, "Could you show me to my room?"
Gabriel, already heading up the stairs, glanced back. "We’re sleeping together."
Amelie blinked, hurrying to catch up. "Is that... okay? I mean, we’re in the palace."
"Does that matter?" Gabriel paused at the top, turning toward her. "Honestly, I want them to see. If it’s not you, then it’s no one." His expression softened just a little. "Besides... I’m not feeling great tonight. So just hold me for a while, alright?"
"But you said you didn’t mind your mother’s words," Amelie said thoughtfully. "You don’t have to pretend, Gabriel. It’s okay to be hurt... and it’s okay to throw a tantrum about it."
’In front of her, I end up showing the emotions I’ve buried for so long,’ Gabriel thought to himself.
As Amelie stepped closer, he suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind, halting her movement. The unexpected gesture made her pause in surprise, but within a moment, she melted into his embrace, resting her hands gently on his arms, offering a silent comfort to him.
"I’m glad I found you, Amelie," he murmured. "You have no idea how long I’ve yearned for feelings like this."
"You’ve already developed feelings for me?" Amelie asked softly, turning to face him, her eyes searching his.
"Yes," Gabriel replied without hesitation. "Is that so wrong? And what about you?" He leaned closer with an intense gaze. "You can’t fool me, Amelie. Your heartbeat gives you away."
"I don’t know," she murmured, eyes dropping to the floor. "I’m still trying to figure things out."
"Then figure them out soon," Gabriel said firmly. "You have every right to move on... but I want you to come to me. And I want it to be soon."
He took another step closer. "It’s been hard resisting you since the first moment you fell into my arms. I ache to feel the warmth of your skin... to hear your hushed whispers of my name. I want your body to respond to every kiss, to crave me the way I crave you."
Amelie felt her cheeks flushing red and her heart started racing when she felt his hand on her neck. She lifted her eyes slowly, meeting his violet gaze.
"We should sleep now," Amelie told him, resisting herself from not kissing him. Because if she would do that, then they might not stop and she didn’t want to flow away with her current emotions.
~~~~
Raidan took a long sip of water from the glass before placing it back on the nightstand.
"Don’t hurt Gabriel, Mabel. He’s an adult now," he said as he looked over at his wife, who was absorbed in scrolling through her tablet.
"I thought we were done talking about this," Mabel replied without looking up.
"I had a long conversation with him earlier," Raidan revealed, watching her closely. "He no longer holds any warmth toward you, Mabel. Don’t you think you’ve been too cruel to him?"
"I don’t believe in that prophecy. Whatever the late high priestess told you. It was false," Raidan continued. "Don’t destroy yourself and Gabriel by holding onto it. Telling him he’s not wanted here... that’s something no child should ever hear from their mother."
Mabel finally lowered the tablet to her lap.
"Don’t be a fool, Raidan," she said.
Without waiting for a response, she slipped off the bed. "I’m going for a stroll in the garden. You should get some rest. Good night."
She placed the tablet gently on the table, then reached for her warm robe. As she pulled it around herself, she moved to the light switch and turned it off. Without another glance, she stepped out and closed the door behind her, leaving Raidan alone with his thoughts.
"I don’t understand my own wife sometimes," Raidan murmured.
As Mabel stepped into the moonlit garden, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. Lifting it to her ear, she waited for the call to answer.
"Is this David Conley I’m speaking to?" she asked curtly.
"Yes, who is this?" came the cautious reply.
"I am Luna Queen Mabel Sinclair."
"Your Majesty!" David stammered, the surprise and fear evident in his voice. "G-Greetings to Your Majesty."
"Come to the palace tomorrow," Mabel ordered, "And take your daughter away."
"Pardon me, Your Majesty?" David’s voice cracked with disbelief. "I... I don’t understand."
"I believe I was perfectly clear," she said icily. "Take your pathetic daughter away from here. If you fail to do so, be prepared to face my wrath, Mr. Conley."
Without another word, she ended the call and lowered the phone.
"Gabriel... you were never meant to meet her," she murmured, a deep frown settling on her face. "Because you acted like an emotional fool, I need to make sure to save you. Even if you hate me, I’ll not let you be with Amelie."