Around dinner time, Melody and Amah finally left the library, and Melody made her way toward the dining hall.
The moment she entered, she noticed it.
Korvus was absent again.
Odd.
She took her seat across from Orionn and glanced around once more before asking, "Your father isn't joining us?"
"I guess not," Orionn replied flatly, not looking up from his plate.
"Why?"
"I don't know. He has his reasons."
He offered nothing more.
Melody already knew their relationship was strained. No one spoke about it openly, but it lingered in the silence between them. In the way Orionn never addressed him first. In the way Korvus watched instead of spoke.
So she didn't push.
After all, she had no right to.
Her own father had not written once since her marriage to the Alpha of Theneros. Not a letter. Not a message. Not even a formal acknowledgment.
She understood strained relationships.
They ate in silence until, near the end of the meal, Orionn spoke.
"I'll be leaving the palace tonight."
"Okay," she replied calmly.
He looked up at her then, as though expecting something more.
"I'm informing you," he added.
"Okay," she repeated.
Why was he reporting his movements to her? He had never done so before.
"Don't wander around the palace," he continued. "It may not be safe this close to the full moon."
She frowned. "Do I look like I have anywhere to go?"
"I'm just saying. It will be dangerous. Stay inside."
For a brief moment, something in his tone shifted. It almost sounded like concern.
But then—
"So I don't have to worry about you while I'm gone. I am not a babysitter."
There it was.
Responsibility. Not care.
"I'm not going anywhere," she replied evenly. "I don't roam the palace for sport."
"Good."
A pause settled between them.
"When is the full moon?" she asked.
"Tomorrow."
Her fork nearly slipped from her fingers.
"Tomorrow?" she repeated. She had assumed it was at least a week away.
"That's why I told you to stay inside," he said. "Tonight is the last day we're allocating shifting locations so they don't flood the city during the change."
"The wolves in the city?" she asked quietly.
"They already have designated grounds. But some wolves shift early." His gaze hardened. "Stay inside, Melody."
"It's not tomorrow yet," she muttered.
"It doesn't matter."
"Fine. I will."
She almost told him to be safe.
The words rose to her lips.
But she swallowed them.
If he did not care about her safety beyond obligation, why should she voice concern for his?
Her appetite faded. After excusing herself, she returned to her room.
Melody lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow.
Anxiety and excitement tangled in her chest.
She had never witnessed a wolf shift before. She might not even see one now, since Orionn had carefully arranged private locations for everyone. Still… perhaps she would see Nathan. He was a wolf.
Damon wasn't.
Or maybe—
Orionn.
Though that felt unlikely. As Alpha, he was not obligated to shift during the full moon. He had control. He could choose not to transform.
With those thoughts circling her mind, she eventually drifted to sleep.
The next morning, the sound of her window opening snapped her awake.
Her eyes flew open.
Her bedroom was at the highest point of the castle.
No one could casually access that window.
She sat up instantly, magic gathering in her palm before she was even fully conscious. Energy crackled along her fingers. With a sharp flick of her wrist, a streak of power shot toward the window—
And froze midair.
Orionn.
He landed lightly inside, bending his knees as if he had merely stepped over a shallow puddle.
The magic dissolved.
Melody stared at him.
"What are you doing coming through my window?" she demanded.
"Entering my room," he replied coolly.
"There's a door."
"I'm aware."
"Then why use the window?"
"Because I wanted to."
She narrowed her eyes. "How did you even get up here? This is the highest point of the castle. Even if you shifted, you couldn't climb these walls."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"There are many things you don't know about me, fairy princess."
That did not answer her question.
"Get ready," he said. "We're leaving."
"Where?"
"We won't be staying in the palace tonight."
"Why not? You told me to stay inside."
"It's not safe," he said firmly. "I can't control everyone. Not every wolf listens. You'll be safer with me."
She folded her arms. "And how am I sure of that?"
"Suit yourself," he replied without emotion. "Stay here if you want."
He turned as if to leave.
"What about the human servants?" she asked quickly. Amah's face flashed through her mind.
"They'll be fine. You, however, are more… valuable. So you're coming with me."
Valuable.
Not important. Not precious.
Valuable.
He moved toward the bathroom.
"Hey," she snapped. "I was going in there first."
He turned and simply looked at her.
The intensity of his gaze rooted her in place. Something about it made her pulse stutter.
Lately, she had begun to notice how unfairly attractive he was.
Him climbing through her window like some shadowed phantom had been both terrifying… and undeniably impressive.
And she still had no idea how he had reached that height.
After she dressed, he informed her, "We're going to my shifting house."
"You have a shifting house?" she asked, surprised. "I thought you said you designate grounds."
"For others. I have my own."
"Oh."
She hesitated. "And your father? We haven't seen him all day."
"He does that," Orionn replied dismissively. "Leaves. Returns when he feels like it."
That was all she would get.
They descended to the courtyard, where a carriage waited.
As it rolled away from the palace, Melody watched the towering walls fade behind them.
Too many secrets.
Too many unanswered questions.
The mysterious woman surfaced in her thoughts again. Orionn seemed in a relatively calm mood. Perhaps now was her chance.
She cleared her throat softly.
"May I ask you a question?"
His gaze shifted from the window. "You can."
"Did you ever have another woman?"
The air changed.
It thickened.
His posture stiffened, jaw tightening as though someone had struck a nerve.
"Where did you hear that from?" His voice was low, edged with something dangerous.
"At the party. Some of the women mentioned it."
"Which of them?"
"I don't know their names." She studied him carefully. "Is it something serious?"
For a moment, she thought she felt something heavy surge through her. A sharp, suffocating emotion that wasn't hers.
Was she over thinking it?
Orrion realized she could feel his emotions.
He didn't want her to know about the bond.
His expression smoothed, but it took effort.
"Nothing," he said shortly. "And as for your question… yes. There was once."
She hadn't expected honesty.
"And where is she now?" she asked quietly.
"There are some questions you shouldn't ask, Princess."
The door closed again.
He turned back to the window.
Inside, old memories stirred. Ones he had buried so deeply that even his closest advisors did not speak of them. He had forbidden anyone from speaking about it,
Someone had disobeyed.
He would find out who.
The rest of the ride passed in silence.
Soon the carriage slowed.
Melody leaned forward slightly as the trees parted, revealing a small house nestled among towering trunks. It stood surrounded by flowers and sunlight filtering through leaves.
It looked… warm.
Alive.
Almost magical.
It reminded her of home.
The garden looked so magical and more beautiful than the one at the castle.
"This place is wonderful," she said softly.
"Yes," he replied.
"I didn't think you would have something like this. The palace is cold and dark. But this place feels like sunlight."
"It belongs to my mother."
Of course.
No one ever spoke about her either.
"Well," Melody said gently, "it's beautiful."
She stepped out of the carriage and paused when she realized he hadn't followed.
"Are you coming?"
"I'll be there."
She entered first.
The warmth struck her immediately. The air smelled faintly of herbs and flowers instead of polished stone.
For Orionn, this was one of the few places that still carried his mother's presence. He came here when the weight of rulership pressed too heavily against his shoulders. When he needed solitude. When he needed to shift in peace.
He stepped inside.
"I didn't expect it to be this big," Melody said, looking around.
"There are two floors," he explained. "The first has the living area and kitchen. The second has a bedroom and a study. There's a greenhouse at the back and a patio."
"Your mother must have been lovely."
"Yes," he replied quietly.
She did not push further.
"We're staying here today?"
"Yes."
"Is it safe to be this far from the castle? What if something happens?"
"It's close enough. Nothing will escalate."
She nodded and went upstairs.
The study resembled a library, shelves lined with books that had once belonged to his mother. The more she saw, the more she wished she could have met her.
The bedroom was cozy. Smaller than the one in the palace. The bed, noticeably narrower.
"Do you sleep here often?" she asked.
"No."
"Are you the only one who knows about this place?"
"A few others."
Her gaze fell to the bed. "Isn't this a bit small?"
"Why?" he asked dryly. "Are you planning on doing something other than sleeping in it?"
"No!" she replied quickly, heat rising to her cheeks. "I'm just saying it's smaller than the one at the palace. It might be uncomfortable."
"I'm not going to be sleeping on that bed, fairy princess." He gestured toward the window. "It's a full moon."
"Oh."
Relief flickered across her face before she could hide it.
"I'll be in the kitchen," he said, turning away.
"You'll be in the kitchen? What are you doing there?" she asked, surprised.
"What does one usually do in a kitchen, fairy princess?"
"I mean… cook. But do you even know how to cook?"
"You'll find out soon."
He walked out.
Melody huffed softly.
She truly knew so little about him.
And that unsettled her more than she wanted to admit.
Curiosity winning, she followed him downstairs.