Chapter 3

3

Not only did he stay the night, but he sent word the next day saying he wouldn't be back at all. He was going straight from the palace to the Ancestral Grounds with the King.

He didn't return until the evening of the Lunar Festival, the very night before our mating ceremony. He looked exhausted and travel-worn.

Looking at him, I asked softly, "Do you remember what you promised me?"

He blinked, looking confused as he searched his memory. Finally, he gave up. "What did I promise?"

"I told you. Tonight is the festival. I wanted you to spend it with me."

He looked embarrassed for a second, then nodded firmly.

"Right. I'll take you out once I return from the palace."

When I didn't say anything, he added an explanation. "Sera felt weak after the trip. She needs me to perform a rite. I'll be quick. Wait for me."

My heart ached. I grabbed onto a final shred of hope, looking at him pleadingly. "Does it have to be tonight? Can't you just stay?"

"It's important. Trust me, I'll be back soon and we'll celebrate the festival together."

I didn't stop him this time. My heart had finally turned to ice.

"I've set up a table at the lake pavilion. Just take the ferry to the island when you get back."

"I will."

Then, he rushed out the door without looking back.

I sat on that boat for a long time. I waited until the last firework faded. I waited until the night air turned freezing. He never came.

Instead, a palace messenger found me again and handed me another note.

"Sister, on a night meant for lovers, I am with the one I adore. We are perfectly in sync. Are you jealous? Don't blame me, blame your name. Lyra―always the one left waiting in the wings."

I sat on the edge of the boat and sobbed. I let out every ounce of pain and rejection I had felt since the day I was born.

Sera's name meant 'fiery and celestial.' My parents had named her with love.

But I was named Lyra simply because my father saw a lyre in the corner when I was born and couldn't be bothered to think of anything better for a second daughter.

I had always been the unloved weed in the garden.

Even knowing Sera loved Kaelen, I shouldn't have fallen for him. But I was starved for warmth, and I let his crumbs of kindness fool me.

After I was done crying, I wiped my face.

I told the boatman to take me to the pavilion.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait longer?" he asked.

"No. You can't wait for someone who doesn't want to be found."

Once I reached the pavilion, I looked out at the dark water. I drank a glass of wine mixed with my own tears and laughed aloud.

"From this day on, Lyra Vance is no more. Sera, are you satisfied? Kaelen, I'm setting you free."

I drained the last of the wine and leaped into the freezing lake.

Back at the palace, Sera had kept Kaelen until the dead of night.

"Does Your Ladyship feel any better?"

"There's no one here, Kaelen. Stop calling me that. Call me Sera. I miss hearing it."

Kaelen took a step back and bowed his head.

"Please rest well, My Lady. My mating ceremony is tomorrow, and I have much to prepare. I must take my leave."

He turned to go, but she called out to him.

"Kaelen! Why do you keep hurting me? You don't love her! This mating is just a strategy. Why are you pushing me away?"

Kaelen didn't look back. His voice was flat. "Once we are mated, I will be faithful to her. Please respect yourself, My Lady. Goodbye."

He walked away quickly, feeling a strange sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

He rushed home only to find the house empty. The rooms were cold and showed no signs of wedding preparations.

He remembered I said I'd be waiting at the lake. A sudden, chilling dread gripped his chest.

He ran toward the docks as fast as his wolf-speed would allow.

But when he arrived, the pavilion in the distance was dark. He grabbed the old boatman.

The man gave him news that stopped his heart.

"Sir, the young lady at the pavilion... she jumped. It's been over an hour."

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