SAGE


    "We need to talk," Titus whispered, his deep voice low and intimate, meant only for me...


    I nced around instinctively, my eyes sweeping the room. The mood was jubnt; everyone was too caught up in celebrating the new alliance to notice us. That gave me a momentary sense of relief, but also doubt. Why did we need to talk now, when any interaction could risk drawing unnecessary attention to us?ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    I opened my mouth, ready to brush off his request and avoid whatever charged conversation he had in mind, but before I could, Anna appeared out of nowhere.


    "Congrattions, Your Majesty!" she eximed, her voice brimming with false cheer as she quickly looped her arms around Titus. "We''re just a step away from reiming the throne. This calls for a proper celebration!"


    Her bold disy made my stomach twist, but what caught my attention even more was Titus''s reaction. His jaw tightened, and a sh of irritation darkened his crimson eyes. He stood stiffly, clearly ufortable with Anna clinging to him like that. Without a word, he gently but firmly peeled her hands away from him, his expression sharp enough to cut through her


    enthusiasm.


    I didn''t wait to see what would happen next. While he was distracted dealing with Anna''s unwee embrace, I took the opportunity to slip away. Thest thing I wanted was to get tangled up in whatever drama her presence would undoubtedly create.


    My heart raced-not just from the tension of the moment but from the unease that had been building since my passionate night with Titus.


    my head. What did he want to talk about? Did it have to do withst night? Or worse, had Anna somehow nted doubts in his mind? Shaking my head, I tried to banish the thought. None of that mattered right now. All I wanted was space to clear I slipped into one of the quieter hallways, my steps soft against the cold stone floor. The sound ofughter and clinking sses from the hall grew fainter with each step, until it fadedpletely. Turning a corner, I was met with silence, the cool morning air brushing against my skin, grounding me in the stillness of the moment.


    Eventually, I wandered into the courtyard. The first light of morning painted the stones in soft shades of gold and pink, while the crisp air carried a hint of dew. Leaning against a wall, I closed my eyes, trying to calm the whirlwind in my head. For a brief moment, it was just me and the quiet.


    But that peace


    didn''tst.


    "Running from me again, kitten?" His voice cut through the stillness, low and steady, yet sharp enough to send a shiver through me.


    I turned quickly, my breath catching as I saw Titus standing in the doorway. The soft light outlined his broad frame, making him seem even more imposing. How had he followed me without a sound?


    "I wasn''t running," I said quickly, crossing my arms in a weak attempt to lookposed. "I just needed some air."


    His crimson eyes fixed on me, unreadable and intense, as he stepped closer. "I thought I made myself clear that I wanted a word with you," he said, his voice calm butced with frustration


    "I didn''t think there was anything else to say," I replied, my voice unsteady despite my effort to sound confident.


    There are a lot of things that we should talk about," he shot back his voice calm but determined as he closed the space


    ng with why you keep avoiding me." between us with steady, purposeful steps.


    I opened my mouth to reply, some excuse or denial forming on my tongue, but he raised his hand, halting me mid-thought,


    "Don''t." he said, his 16e firm but not unkind. "If Another he is about toe from those beautiful lips of yours, spare both. I don''t want to hear it


    "Y-Your Majesty." I stammered, my voice barely above a whisp


    "Yes?" he murmured, his crimson eyes locking onto mine as he stepped closer, invading the shrinking space between us


    "1-1.." My voice faltered, my mind scrambling for words that refused toe.


    He tilted his head, the faintest hint of a smirk curling at his lips Imm?" he murmured, leaning in until his warm breath fanned against my skin. His lips brushed lightly against the curve of my neck, sending an involuntary shiver through me "You can run as much as you like, kitten, but let''s not pretend you can ever truly get away from me."


    My breath hitched at his words, my heart hammering in my chest. Gathering every ounce of courage I had. I pushed back against the overwhelming pull of his presence. "Why wouldn''t I run?" I shot back, my voice trembling but steady enough to carry my meaning. "You''ve never given me a reason to stay."


    His body tensed at my words, his lips hovering above my neck as if frozen in ce. Slowly, he straightened, lifting his gaze to meet mine. The intensity in his eyes sent a chill down my spine, but I didn''t look away.


    "Have you forgotten, Your Majesty?" I said, my voice growing bolder despite the lump in my throat. "You begged me to sever


    ''beloved."" our bond. For her. For Anna, your


    His entire body tensed, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air between us like an unspoken truth. For a long moment, he said nothing, his crimson eyes fixed on mine, searching, as if trying to decipher the emotions swirling behind my gaze. The confidence that usually radiated from him seemed to waver, reced by something raw and vulnerable.


    Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter now but no less intense. "Yes," he admitted, his words carrying a heaviness that settled deep in my chest. "I did that. I made that choice."


    He paused, taking my hand gently in his, his touch warm and steady. Guiding it to his chest, he ced it just above his heart, holding it there firmly as if the connection could say what his words could not. "And for that, I guess I can''t me anyone but this," he said, referring to his heart.


    His


    gaze


    locked on mine as he pressed my hand tighter against his chest. "I had no memories of who you were, of what you meant to me," he continued, his tone almost breaking. "And yet, this..." His fingers tightened slightly over mine, holding my hand in ce as if afraid I might pull away. "This thing beating inside my chest, it reacts to you in ways I can''t exin. It''s like it knows what I forgot."


    I swallowed hard, my breath hitching as his words sank in, each one carrying the weight of his emotions.


    "I yearn for you, Sage," he said, his voice barely above a whisper but brimming with sincerity. "I crave for you in ways I didn''t understand. And most of all," he added, his crimson eyes holding mine with an intensity that made my pulse race, "this heart of mine-it beats out of control the moment I even catch a glimpse of you."


    My fingers trembled against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat thundering beneath my palm. His words stripped away everyyer of doubt I''d built around myself, leaving me exposed to the overwhelming truth in his gaze.


    I


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