Chapter 23 Zephyrine It's quiet in White Pack at night , and everyone in the Dusk household has gone to bed . I can't sleep . Finished I lie beside Dessyn , who's already fast asleep , understandably , given she hosted the coronation and was run ragged all day . I shift slightly , turning onto my back , staring at the ceiling and trying to steady my thoughts . At first light , I'll head to Hue Pack to retrieve the rest of my belongings . I let out a soft sigh and pull the blanket up over my head , determined to force myself to sleep . But the moment I close my eyes , his face appears behind my eyelids . That pierced brow . Those eyes . That mouth . My eyes flutter open . I swallow hard , my pulse unsteady as I dare to wonder , just for a forbidden second , what it might feel like to be kissed by him . I've had passing thoughts like this about Nyroth before , but none of them ever curled heat between my thighs the way this one does . I close my eyes again , attempting control but It's the sensation creeping over my skin that stops me this time . The chill that comes not from the night air , but from presence . His presence . Арех The goosebumps rise so abruptly that I crease my brows . I slowly open my eyes again and carefully slip out of bed , making sure not to wake Dessyn . I pad softly to the window and peer out , expecting nothing . Just the guards on night duty , around the fire , laughing in low voices . Normal . I sigh again . Maybe I really am losing my mind but just as I start to turn away , something catches the edge of my vision . A solitary figure . Apex He stands at the edge of the lane , under the pale glow of the moon , like a specter cloaked in midnight . His eyes are fixed straight ahead , on me . A chill slides down my spine . He came here .. for me I draw away from the window , suddenly breathless , What do I do ? Why is he here ? After a few seconds of anxious debate , I grab my cloak and slip quietly out the door , He stands alone . No guards . No raven , No horse in sight . Just him , and the cold night air that makes everything feel . impossibly still . I approach slowly , stopping a few paces away . He's pulled his hair back into a tight knot , dressed more simply than usual , but nothing about him looks plain . Even in silence , he commands everything around him . He says nothing . He just watches . " How did you find me ? " I asked but no words came from him . This make another long silence fell between us . " You walked here ? " I ask again . He doesn't answer aloud , just gives a small nod ahead , his chin tilting . I follow the motion and see a black warhorse nearly invisible in the shadows . Powerful . Quiet . 1/3 Chapter 23 I turn back to him . He's still watching . " It's a powerful horse . " I murmur . He glances toward it and nods Then , softly he replied . #Finished " Do you want to ride it ? " The offer stiffens me . " There's a tavern I go to when I'm bothered ," he adds gently . " You want to come along ?" He's always so direct . So raw in the way he feels . Never once has he hidden himself from me . I look at the horse again . If I say yes , we'll ride together and I'll feel him too close . I may forget who I am . But I'm bothered , too . So I nod . He doesn't speak again . He just reaches for my hand and twines our fingers together like it's second nature . Like we've always belonged . He leads me to the horse , and with one smooth motion , lifts me onto it as if I weigh nothing . I settle onto the beast , stunned by how steady itis , how much I've missed the rhythm of a real mount beneath me . Then Apex mounts from behind , and I forget how to breathe . His arms stretch past me to take the reins , caging me in with silent strength . His chest brushes my back . Solid , warm . commanding . 1 lower my gaze , desperate to rein in the chaos building inside me . Then his voice comes , soft at my ear . " Shall we ? " Gods . It sounds like a command even though it's a question and I can't say no . " Yes , " I whisper . The horse takes off at a gallop , and I have ridden many times before with my brother , with soldiers , but nothing has ever felt like this . This feels sinful . The wind is cold , but surrounded by him , I feel only heat . By the time we reach the outskirts of town , the horse slows, and then stops . A tavern lies ahead , lanterns flickering outside , and the low murmur of voices within . I eye the line of carriages and noble horses . Apex dismounts with effortless grace and offers me his hand . I hesitate , just for a moment , before taking it . He helps me down , even though I could've done it myself . For some reason , I let him We enter together . " The tavern isn't buzzing , but there are enough people talking, laughing , and drinking that no one spares us a glance . Apex leads me to a table tucked into a corner as though it's always been his . He pulls out a chair for me and I sit , stealing a brief glance at him . Oh , look who it is ," an older woman calls from behind the counter . She walks toward us with a smirk . " And you've brought a new lady tonight ? " 13 Maier mons She's hugh women here before " Two cups of presd . Apex says . ~ 10 ) pussa . " 1 est in sharply : The eyes lift to mine , and a fair frown creases his brow , the way it always does when he is bothered . He nods , gaze dropping again . " Never mind " he murmurs , " All right ," the taver keeper says cheerfully . " Tl be at the counter if you need anything She walks off , leaving a silence that stretches between us . study him . He doesn't look like a womanizer . But he does look like a man who's been with women . Many I shouldn't bother me but it does . " You don't want anything ? " he asks gently . That tone makes me get more angry . It's probably how he speaks to the ladies he had brought so far . " I want to leave ," I say , 1 push up from my seat before he can respond . Something I can't name claws in my chest . 1 storm out only to collide with a drunken nobleman stumbling toward the exit His drink sloshes across my dress , soaking the bodice . " Gods , my apologies ," he slurs , reaching for my chest to wipe at the spill but before he can touch me , a hand grips his wrist , crushing . " Do not touch her . " Apex throws him off . Not hard but the drunk flies into another table , crashing into tankards and shouts . Chairs scrape back . People rise and The barkeep rushes over . " I was only trying to help ! " the drunk protests . The woman waves him off with a sweet smile before turning to me . " Oh , sweetheart , you'll need a fresh dress . There's one upstairs . One of the ladies left it behind . Apex , take her to the room . " The room ? He has a room here ? I glance at him . He stares back without blinking , unreadable . " Let's go , " he says . Send Gifts 2.2K Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.