The lavish halls of the palace gleamed with golden light as I made my way to my room, the faint echo of laughter from the banquet still ringing in my ears. Irhian had been so happy tonight, his fiancee glowing at his side. I didn’t expect her to follow me, let alone with two of her friends.

“You think you can steal him from me, don’t you?” she hissed, slamming the door shut behind her.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, backing away.

“You cling to him like some shameless mistress,” she spat, her perfect smile replaced by venom. “I’ll make sure you never touch him again.”

Before I could respond, they were on me. My belongings were torn and shattered as her friends laughed. She slapped me hard enough to make me taste blood, her words a storm of accusations and hatred. My protests turned to cries as she bent my fingers back until I heard a sickening crack.

“Stop! Please!” I gasped, choking on water as they dunked my head into the basin.

Suddenly, the door flew open.

“STOP!” Irhian’s voice roared through the room.

The chaos halted. I barely registered the scene as he rushed to my side, his face pale and stricken with fear. His hands trembled as they cupped my cheeks, his eyes scanning my injuries with horror.

“What have they done to you?” he whispered, his voice cracking.

Tears blurred my vision as I clung to him, his warmth a fragile comfort against the pain. “Irhian…”

“You’ll pay for this,” he growled at his fiancee, his tone ice-cold.