a's

oice, but it sounds colder and more distant. He looks at me, and for a second, I s

I feel like a ghost, acting like someone I'm not. "Ryker," I

He seems far away, like he's blocking me out. I want to reach out and bring him near, but

I don't know her past or her strength. I just have the fr

ya, we're not the same people we used to

n the gut. He's not talking to me; he

to close the space between us. But he doesn't co

"You've been back for days, and

don't mean anything. His eyes flash to my face as he looks for something he can

tranger's skin. I can still hear his words, but not hi

ind. The chilly stone walls and high ceilings of the palace make it look like it g

lavender and jasmine. It should be calming, but all I

guish in the most unusual locations, like her personal writings buried in the library, w

s calligraphy is crisp and beautiful". But he's a

weight of her quiet misery pressing down on me. She gave it a shot, di

me," one entry begs

e woman whose life I'm now living. But

etting worse for days, and I know I'm on thin ice. Every look he gives me is

gry, and harsh, while I'm

back and forth with his fists clenched at

go up to him or stay hidden. But I can't help

h and desperation in his voice. He hasn't talked to anyon

spits the words out like poison. "I didn'

lt sick to my stomach. He never wanted Fr

s quickly, his eyes gleaming with anger. He narr

age is so real and strong. But

reply softly, my voice barely aud

ndifference comes back. He says again, almost to himself, "Because I ne

ya's death. This goes deeper than that. Ryker doesn't want me. He never wanted Freya. N

rage fills the air. I'm stuck be

r and wax fills the air. This isn't where I should be. But I can't deny how badly I

f kings and their constant power struggles. I pick a few books off the sh

m, and they are signed by nobility I've never seen and sealed with seals I've never

m." "She needs to marry Ryker to make

my hands. This wasn't love. It was a

sonal wants

uch pain did she go through in her marriage? Was Ryker ever her

of manipulations and pressures from both sides, hers and his. Freya wasn't t

I put the records back where they belong, but I know it's t

uldn't b

doorway, his gaze narrowed and his body stiff. I can feel the ten

rds don't come out right. He i

t says he knows. "Your Majesty,

gations. The only sounds in the room are the rustling of parchment and the occasional

eed to make a decision on this matter for t

he words are blurry. He always looks away when I try to look at him. T

the gap. "We've been married for a long tim

There is a glimpse of something, maybe regret? Pain?

back at the papers. His fingers slide over the pap

ng tight. The air in the room is thick and

ker," I say in a very soft voice.

lit second, I see something in his eyes. It's not simply being cold. There i

want from me, Freya." "But I'm not the sa

er is deafening. He doesn't try to touch me. He doesn't m

omeone he let go. A ghost from his past. A