Blue woke to the soft rustle of fabric and the scent of fresh herbs in the air. Shelby was already at her side, bright as always, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Good morning, Your Grace," she chirped.
Blue groaned and tugged the blanket up to her shoulder. "What's so good about it?" she mumbled. "I need more sleep. Close the curtains."
"It's time for your bath, Your Grace."
Blue rolled her eyes. The routine was still new, but she didn't argue. With a tired sigh, she slid off the bed and let Shelby guide her through the motions. Warm water. Soft oils. Silence.
By the time she was dressed again, breakfast had already been laid out. She breathed a small sigh of relief, at least she didn't have to eat in the dining room.
She ate fast, grateful to be alone. Seeing the triplets frightened her more than she cared to admit, especially Draven. Her fingers drifted to the side of her face the same cheek he had slapped not too long ago. It still ached, though the purple marks had started to fade.
She deserved it, maybe. But it didn't stop the sting.
"You have an audience this morning, Your Grace," Shelby said gently, clearing the plates. "Tea in the garden."
Still wrapped in the heavy layers of those formal gowns, Blue allowed Shelby to lead her out. She didn't expect the Keep to have a garden, not in a place so cold. But as they stepped through the narrow path, guards and maids bowing as they passed, the garden slowly unfolded before her.
It wasn't full of roses or bright petals. No.
It was quiet. Frosty. Strange.
Icy blue flowers bloomed low to the ground, their petals edged in silver. Thorned vines crept up white-stone arches, their buds tight and dark. The trees were bare, but still somehow beautiful, their branches glistening with frost.
There were no bees, no birds chirping. Just the sound of wind moving slowly through a world made of ice and breath.
Blue didn't even realize she'd stopped walking until Tia spoke. Blue moved to take the empty seat at the table.
"Have you ever been outside Albenia?"
The question came from nowhere. Blue blinked, then faced her. "No, Your Grace."
Tia hummed quietly, sipping from her steaming tea cup. "I moved here a week after my sister and her husband passed. Little Gillian was only five."
She paused, then looked Blue right in the eyes. "Do you know how they died?"
Blue shook her head.
Tia's voice dropped lower. "They went to sleep on a cold night and never woke up. Strange, don't you think?"
Blue frowned. Her father had never spoken of this. She wasn't even sure he knew.
"They were poisoned."
The voice came sharp, cutting through the quiet.
Both women turned.
Laziel stood behind them, eyes as gray and cold as the winter wind.
Blue froze under his stare.
"Come now, Laz," Tia said, her tone light. "Don't scare your wife."
He laughed, dry and cruel. "She might be that, but she'll never feel like it. We'll make sure of that."
And just like that, he was gone, a younger boy trailing behind him.
Blue stared after him. She didn't know what to say. Her chest felt tight again. She hated that.
Tia watched her quietly. A moment passed.
"You raised them?" Blue asked finally, her voice barely a whisper.
"Raised isn't the right word," Tia answered softly. "They raised each other. Took care of their little brother. Made sure he never felt alone."
She looked away, her fingers brushing the rim of her cup. "As young as Draven was, he was already leading the empire. Even when your absence nearly broke them."
Blue blinked. "I don't understand…"
"They've known about you since they were boys," Tia said. "Felt the bond. Even without meeting you. And every season without you made their beasts weaker. Angrier."
Blue's eyes stung.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't know… not until five seasons ago. My father never told me."
"It was hard for them," Tia said gently. "And it only got worse when Gillian died. I'd never seen them so… lost."
She stood up and offered her hand. "Walk with me, Blue Sara."
When Blue returned to her chambers, the sun was high. Noon.
She went straight to the little hiding spot she'd made behind the curtain. Ozra peeked out, purring softly.
"There you are," she whispered, smiling. "I brought you some snacks."
The baby dragon snatched the food and gobbled it up like it hadn't eaten in days.
"We have to be careful, Ozra," she murmured. "No one can find you."
The dragon made a low humming sound, as if it understood.
Blue lay down for a quick nap, but Shelby soon returned, her face alight with excitement.
"It's time, Your Grace!"
"Time?" Blue asked, groggy. She turned to the window — dusk had already fallen.
"For the celebration!"
Before she could even argue, Shelby had her in the bath again. Hair curled, makeup done. Tonight, Winter's Court was throwing a ball to celebrate her marriage to the triplets.
A marriage they probably didn't want. A party she doubted they'd even show up to.
"You look magnificent," Shelby said as Blue stared at herself in the mirror.
"Thanks," she said quietly, surprised by her reflection.
Tia had sent in a new gown. Pale blue, like ice under moonlight. Long sleeves. Fitted just right. Shelby had done her hair in soft waves, letting it fall down her back.
She looked… better. Better than she had in a while.
The double doors of the great hall opened.
Everyone turned to look at her.
Blue lifted her chin and walked inside, even though her knees were trembling.
The music stopped as she approached Tia's table.
Not many people filled the room, just warriors from the group that had returned from Albenia. Not quite the royal crowd she'd imagined. And, of course, the triplets were nowhere to be seen.
"Welcome, Blue Sara," Tia said, motioning to the seat beside her.
"Thank you, Your Grace."
Blue smiled politely, but her eyes were scanning the room. And then, finally she saw someone familiar.
"Dasia!" she breathed, standing up at once.
Her friend turned and grinned. "Missed me already?"
Blue grabbed her hand and pulled her close. "You disappear for hours and expect me not to worry?"
"I see you missed me more than I missed you."
Blue chuckled. It felt good to laugh.
Dasia glanced at her. "So, how's your wedding party?"
Blue sighed. "It's fine. I didn't expect any celebration at all, so I'm grateful."
"Not everyone here hates you, Blue."
She smiled faintly. "Just the triplets… and the people loyal to them."
"That's not true."
Blue tilted her head. "Then where are they? If this is their party too… why aren't they here?"
Dasia didn't answer.
Blue's smile faded. "See? You can't even defend them."
But then, everything changed and the doors opened. The air went still. And in they came.
The triplets.
Dressed in regal clothes, they looked carved from snow and fire. Sharp jaws. Dark eyes. Cold beauty. Her wolf stirred at once, purring inside her, drawn to the bond she couldn't deny.
But what made Blue's stomach twist was the woman walking beside them.
Lucia.
In a black, skin-tight dress, clinging to Kael and Laziel like she belonged between them.
Draven walked ahead, expression unreadable.
The room fell silent.
Even the music stopped.
Their eyes found hers, only for a second, but it was enough to make her chest ache.
How could they bring their mistress here? To *her* celebration?
"There," Blue whispered to Dasia, never breaking her gaze. "That's your answer. You said they don't hate me."
Her voice cracked.
"But look at her… dressed like that, smiling like she's won. At my party."
She wished she hadn't come.
She wished she had never gotten out of bed.
She wished she were still back in Albania, unknown, unmated, unhurt.
All this hate… for a bond she never asked for. For a crime she didn't commit.
Her wolf whimpered and pulled away inside her, hiding somewhere deep, leaving her alone with the sting in her chest and the shame on her skin.