bBy /bbthe /bbtime /bbI /breturn from bthe /bpce, the sun is already sliding, lower in the sky, spilling gold across the ce. Jasmine bis /bblikely /bfar away by now–surrounded by the king’s most trusted guardsb, /be ones my mother personally handpicked.

    She hadn’t just arranged the escort; she had given Jasmine a velvet pouch so heavy with gold coins it made her arm sag. “No bone /bleaves the royal pce without proof they’ve been here,” my mother had said with that regal smile. “And bI’m /bthanking her for being your friend when you needed one most. May the Moon Goddess guide her to the love she deserves.”

    Jasmine’s eyes had shimmered with gratitude, but she didn’t cry. She simply hugged bme /bonce more, whispered a quiet goodbye, and walked away–straight out of the pce and into the carriage without looking back.

    I hurry to Fury’s father’s house now, choosing the front door instead of slipping quietly through the back like we had earlier. bI /bdon’t want it to seem like we both disappeared, though that’s exactly what happened.

    even

    I’m halfway through the doorway when I freeze–heat rushing to my face.

    Fury.

    His hands are mped firmly around his new mate’s waist. Nora sits perched on hisp as though she belongs there, her cheeks flushed pink as if he’s whispered something only she’s allowed to bear. He’s looking at her like she’s the only thing in the world worth breathing for.

    My jaw tightens until my teeth ache.

    Jasmine left–heart aching, dreams crushed and here he is acting like the mate bond is the only thing that matters. His thumb strokeszy circles against Nora’s hip, and she leans into him with a shy smile. I’ve never seen Fury like this. Never.

    A dark, sharp pang twists in my chest. I re at Nora without even meaning to. If it were Jasmine in her ce–his true mate-

    she wouldn’t be running away from everything, from him. She wouldn’t be hurting alone somewhere.

    Nora shifts, as if feeling the heat of my stare. She nces my way and bows her head slightly, but I look past her before I do something petty. I know it isn’t her fault… but bI /bcan’t help but hate her in this moment.

    Fury’s father rolls into the room from the hallway, the squeak of his wheelchair cutting through the moment. He’sing from the direction of the guest bedroom–the one Jasmine had been resting in earlier.

    “Princess Kali,” he greets warmly. “Is Jasmine alright? Has she woken yet? Poor thing… so fragile, so weak–like a human.” His expression softens before he lifts a neatly folded stack of towels from hisp. “I brought these for youb, /bbut after knocking for several minutes, I found the room empty. I grew worried when didn’t see either of you. Did you go for a walk? A bit of fresh air might help her heal naturally.”

    I take the towels from him, my fingers curling around the fabric. “No,” I say quietly. “She’s gone. Thank you for the towels.”

    His brows knit together. “What do you mean… gone?”

    Before I can answer, Fury’s voice cuts in, sharp and surprised. “What?”

    I turn to see him staring at me now, though his hands are still mped around Nora’s waist. She tries to rise, but he pulls her back down without even looking at her, his grip tightening possessively.

    “Where did Jasmine go? Back to the pce without telling me? When did she leave?” His voice isced with irritation, not

    concernb. /b

    “Not long ago,” I reply, my voice edged with steel I don’t bother to hide. My re meets his, but it slides right past him–he doesn’t see it, or he doesn’t want to.

    He shakes his head, muttering. “Why didn’t she tell me? I would have seen her back safely to the pce.” His tone sharpens, self -righteous. “Once I return, I’ll scold her for this.”

    I can’t help it–the scoff rips from my throat before I can swallow it down. The nerve.

    bHe /bhadn’t noticed when she fainted. He hadn’t bothered to help her or even check on her when she was lying pale as bdeath /bbin /bthat bbed/b. But now now he wants to act like he cares?

    Maybe he did once. Maybe before he found his mate before Nora But not anymore.

    “You won’t be seeing Jasmine again,” I say tly. “Even if you return to the pce, she’s gone. Far away very far. And she asked me not to tell you where. Said you shouldn’t bother looking for her.” I keep my face nk, my lie buried deep under

    steady eyes.

    “Wait–what?” Fury’s voice rises into a shout. “How could she just leave without saying goodbye? What’s really going on? Why is Jasmine acting so strangely?”

    It takes every shred of restraint not to walk over and knock some sense into him.

    b” /b