Astelion POV
The wind screamed in my ears as I descended through the dark, lowering myself soundlessly onto the stone pavilion near the palace kitchens. My heart was a frantic, hammering, but the paralyzing despair had finally hardened into a cold, sharp focus.
I had no time to cry. I had no time to process the green in his eyes. Slipping through the shadows of the heavy wooden back entrance, I ducked into the dimly lit corridor just outside the main pantry. Through the cracked door, I saw a familiar silhouette moving in the low light.
"Lilly," I hissed, keeping my body hidden behind the door frame. Lilly dropped her broom, the straw clattering against the stone floor as her head snapped toward me. Her eyes widened in pure shock when she saw me standing there, shivering in an oversized black button-down shirt.
She sprinted over, grabbing my arms and pulling me deeper into the shadows.
"Where have you been?! Everyone has been looking for you!"
"I got tied up," I whispered breathlessly, my eyes darting down the hallway to ensure no guards were patrolling.
"Do you have a spare uniform that I could wear? Please."
Lilly looked at my disheveled state, horror and confusion warring on her face, but she didn't hesitate.
"I do. Meet me in the servant's bathroom at the end of the hall in two minutes."
I bolted down the corridor, pressing my back against the damp stone walls, praying to whatever gods were left that no one would spot me in this shirt. I burst into the small, bathroom and locked the door behind me, my breath coming in ragged, shallow gasps.
True to her word, a soft knock sounded two minutes later. I cracked the door, pulling Lilly inside along with the crisp, clean fabric of a fresh maid's uniform.
I stripped off the black shirt, throwing it into the corner like it was coated in venom, and quickly began pulling the uniform over my aching limbs.
"What happened?" Lilly asked, her voice tight with worry as she watched my frantic, trembling hands struggle with the apron strings.
"Is everything okay?"
"A lot happened," I choked out, a bitter, knot tightening in my throat.
"I found out the man I love had been lying to me. He betrayed me."
Lilly gasped, her hands coming up to cover her mouth.
"What did he lie about?"
"I don't want to talk about him right now," I snapped, my voice rising as the agonizing heat of the betrayal flared up in my chest again.
"Kiono seems like such a sweet person," Lilly pressed softly, stepping closer to try and soothe me.
"I can't imagine him betraying you—"
"I said I don't want to talk about him anymore!" I yelled back, the sheer volume of my voice echoing off the tiled walls.
I yanked the bathroom door open. But before I stepped out, my eyes caught the glint of the delicate, beautiful ring and bracelet he had slipped onto my wrist just hours ago. The sight of it made my stomach turn with a fresh wave of disgust. Without a single shred of hesitation, I ripped them off my skin and threw it directly into the trash bin by the door, letting it clatter against the waste.
I pushed past a stunned Lilly, my jaw set, my cosmic power tightly coiled under my skin like a caged beast.
Tonight was their honeymoon. I had completely lost my way, but the illusion was over. I made my way toward Castel's grand quarters, my boots clicking sharply against the stone. I had to stop this night from happening, at all costs.