Noor didn't sleep that night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his smirk. Heard his voice. Felt that stupid little skip in her heartbeat when he called her Your Majesty like it was some inside joke between them.
Ridiculous. He was ridiculous.
She pulled the covers over her head, groaned, kicked them off again.
"Maybe I'm losing it," she muttered, staring at the ceiling like it had answers.
And just when her brain decided to shut up—
BAM.
A rock hit her window.
Again.
She didn't even move. Just yelled, "If it's you, I swear to the stars I'm releasing the kraken."
Another rock.
Noor sighed, dragged herself to the window, and opened it.
"Hi," Riven said, leaning against the ledge like he belonged there. "Miss me?"
She blinked. "You have a death wish."
"Maybe," he grinned. "Or maybe I just enjoy your company."
She rolled her eyes so hard she almost saw her past life. "You broke into my palace again."
"I prefer the term creative entry."
Noor crossed her arms. "You're unbelievable."
Riven propped his chin on his hand. "And yet… here you are. Talking to me instead of calling the guards."
"Trust me, I'm one second away."
"Mm-hmm. Sure." He tilted his head, studying her. "You didn't sleep."
"I—excuse me?" she blinked.
"Your eyes," he said, nodding. "Bit puffy. You've got the whole I stayed up thinking about a stupid boy vibe going on."
Her jaw dropped. "You absolute menace—"
He grinned. "Was it me? Be honest."
She pointed a finger at him. "I will hex you."
"Hot."
"Huh?? EH—what—NO. YOU CAN'T JUST—" she sputtered, flustered.
He looked way too pleased. "Wow. Did I just make the mighty queen of Xandrellia blush?"
"I'm not blushing!" she yelled, slamming the window open wider. "Get inside before someone sees your stupid face."
He slid in with a smug little bounce. "Gladly."
"One hour," she warned, holding up a finger. "Then you're out. No nonsense."
"I would never," Riven said, dramatically pressing a hand to his chest. "I'm the definition of responsible."
"You're the definition of unhinged."
He winked. "Unhinged… for you."
"UGH."
______________________
Noor sat cross-legged now, arms folded around a pillow like it could keep her from unraveling. Riven lay sprawled beside her, one leg dangling off the bed, eyes trained on the ceiling.
The air between them had settled. But it wasn't quiet — it was loaded. Like the calm before a storm. Or the hush before truth gets loud.
Riven's playful smile faded, just a little. Just enough to make her notice.
He leaned his arms on the window ledge, eyes locked on hers.
"Noor," he said quietly, "do you ever feel like… you're not what everyone thinks you are?"
She blinked. The question hit harder than she expected.
"Huh?" she scoffed, deflecting. "That's a weird way to flirt."
"I'm not flirting," he said, gaze unreadable now. "Not this time."
His voice dropped, serious. "Because I know that look. The one you wear when no one's watching. Like you're carrying a truth too heavy to breathe around people."
"Stop." Noor stilled.
I know it," he said, "because I wear the same one."
Her breath caught.
And then his hand lifted slightly — just enough for the faint red glow beneath his sleeve to catch her eye.
Crimson patterns. Barely visible. But there.
"I'm nothing like you," she growled.
Riven didn't move. "Didn't say you were."
"Then stop acting like you understand," she snapped. "You don't know what it's like having something inside you that wants to rip out your humanity piece by piece."
His voice stayed calm. "Noor—"
"You don't know what it's like to hate what you are every time you look in a mirror."
"Actually," he said, "I do."
She faltered.
"Every time Azrenil whispers in my head, I remember every soul I fed on. Every scream I didn't stop. Every time I begged him to shut up and he didn't." His voice cracked. "So don't tell me I don't know."
Noor stared at him. Her breath shaky.
Riven stepped closer, quieter now. "You think you're turning into a monster? Fine. Maybe you are. But maybe that's not the end of you."
Her eyes shimmered—but she blinked it away fast.
And for once, she didn't argue.
She just whispered, "It hurts."
"I know."
____
"Pain makes us real, Noor. And I'll use yours until you forget how to fight back."
Is Riven actually inlove?..or just planning to use her weakness against her?