CHAPTER 93: THE STRANGER

Rhynera dragged her feet down the corridor, her body aching from exhaustion. All day she had been running through endless duties, and appearances, for the Queen pushing herself to earn some kind of foothold in this new palace.

She thought perhaps if she proved her worth, she could one day win the Queen’s heart.

Her hands trembled as she pushed open her chamber door. A sharp pain traveled through her fingers; she had worked too hard. But what met her eyes inside the dining chamber froze her where she stood.

The table was set for dinner, steaming dishes laid out with the maids waiting in silence.

Adam was already seated, and beside him smiling like she belonged there was Serena.

Rhynera’s stomach twisted. The sight was almost hideous to her, unbearable. Still, she forced herself forward, smoothing her gown as she stepped into the hall.

"Good evening, my lord," she said softly, trying to sound composed but underneath she was raging mad.

She still hasn’t forgotten what Serena had done to her but she promised she would pay back tenfold.

Adam didn’t even look at her. He kept eating as if she had never spoken. The coldness struck harder than any blade. Her lips parted, ready to excuse herself and flee before the tears escaped, when his voice stopped her.

"The last time I checked, you could see I had a guest. Why not show the same respect to her that you just showed me?"

Her heart gave a painful throb she wanted to disagree on the spot but she knew how crazy Adam could react, so she controlled herself.

Slowly, she turned her head toward Serena, who was smiling smugly, her hand resting far too close to Adam’s. Every part of Rhynera’s being screamed to spit in her face.

"Adam," Serena cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "She is your wife, of course, she feels jealous. You must understand."

Rhynera’s fists clenched at her sides. The way she spoke to him, the way she leaned close using that tender voice made her sick.

"My lord," Rhynera called, her voice trembling but firm, "last I checked, I am supposed to share your chamber tonight. How come she is still here?"

The words had barely left her mouth before Adam’s hand slammed against the dining table. The plates rattled. Every maid fell to their knees in fear.

"How dare you preach to me about who can stay in my chamber?" His voice thundered through the hall.

"How dare I?" Rhynera’s temper flared, though her chest ached. She stepped closer, her voice sharper now. "I am the Crown Princess. I am your wife. I have every right to speak when another woman stays in your chamber as if she owns it."

Her words only fed his rage. Before she could react, his hand struck across her face.

Everyone turned their backs as usual along with Mia. Rhynera staggered, clutching her cheek, her eyes burning with pain and humiliation.

"Adam!" Serena exclaimed, feigning shock, though her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

She reached for his hands. "You didn’t need to be so cruel. After all..." She leaned closer, her lips hovering near his cheek, her hand brushing across his chest slowly. "...she is your wife now."

Rhynera watched in horror as Serena’s body pressed against Adam’s, her head resting on his shoulder, her arm sliding around him possessively. It was a position meant for a lover, not a guest. Her heart shattered at the sight.

She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood. "Enjoy your time before I flip," she muttered under her breath, and without another word, she turned and stormed out.

Her cheek burned. Her heart bled. All her dreams of this marriage, all the pride she once carried when she boasted in the Celestial Realm about becoming Adam’s wife, now felt like mockery.

Her sister, Lumina, had been forced into a rushed marriage, yet she seemed happier than Rhynera could ever hope to be. The thought cut deeper than any wound.

She slammed the door of her chamber shut and collapsed against it, her breath shaky as she pulled off her veil. Tears spilled freely now, and she pressed her palms against her lips to muffle the sobs.

And then arms slipped around her waist. Her body stiffened, terror flooding her veins. She had locked the door. No one should be here.

"Not only can you die," a low voice whispered near her ear, dark and smooth as velvet, "but the whole realm will know how unfilial you are."

Her breath hitched, her pulse racing.

"Wh... who are you? What are you doing in my chamber?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Her words cut off as warm lips brushed against the side of her neck. A soft, kiss, slow enough to make her skin shiver. She froze, her knees weakening.

"Did you enjoy me the previous night?" the stranger murmured.

Her eyes widened in horror. "What..?"

Before she could move, his grip tightened around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His lips moved along the curve of her neck, teasing her most sensitive spot with lingering kisses.

She writhed in his arms. "S-stop! Anyone could enter... and I am your crown princess!"

But he didn’t listen. His mouth brushed against her earlobe, warm breath sending chills down her spine. His teeth grazed lightly before his tongue flicked against the sensitive flesh. Rhynera gasped, her body betraying her.

"Don’t," she whispered.

"I can get you killed!" She growled.

But his hand began to wander, tracing over her arm, down her side, until it settled against her waist, pressing her closer.

Every touch was slow, as if he knew exactly how to unravel her defenses. His thumb brushed across her hip in small circles that made her body tense and shiver at once.

"You will be the one at fault if you scream too much." He mumbled against her neck.

"Please," she breathed, "you must stop. If anyone finds out..."

The man chuckled softly against her skin. "Do you think I care?" he whispered. "Right now, the only thing that matters is you."

His lips trailed higher, brushing her jawline, teasingly avoiding her mouth.

Her head tilted back unconsciously, giving him more access. She hated herself for it, hated the weakness trembling through her body, but the heat coiling inside her was too much to ignore.

Her heart pounded as his hand slid higher, brushing the edge of her bodice, just enough to make her gasp. She caught his wrist, but even her grip trembled with indecision.

"You are crazy... I paid you..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

"Perhaps," he breathed against her ear, "but you don’t want me to stop."

Her whole body was on fire, her thoughts a mess of shame and forbidden longing. She wanted to push him away, but her body leaned toward his every touch, her lips parting with every stolen kiss along her throat.

Then a knock came from the door and before she could stop the intruder handle turned he door creaked open, spilling light into the chamber.