This time, they used a carriage back to the castle, much to Melody's disappointment. She had secretly hoped to ride giant wolf Orionn again.
The ride back was silent.
Too much had happened tonight.
By the time they reached the castle, dawn was already beginning to rise.
Most wolves had probably completed their shifts by now.
The moment the carriage stopped, Melody stepped out quickly and headed toward the human quarters.
"Where are you going?" Orionn asked.
"To check on Amah."
"I told you she would be fine."
"Well, I'm not taking your word for it after what happened tonight."
"As if that wasn't partially your fault."
Melody stopped and turned sharply toward him.
"Partially my fault?" she repeated incredulously.
A small laugh escaped her.
"That man literally said he wanted me because of you."
Orionn's expression darkened slightly.
"And exactly what did he say to you?" he asked.
Melody crossed her arms.
"He said you had something he wanted, and he planned to use me to get it."
She paused.
"But honestly, I found that funny."
Orionn frowned.
"Funny?"
"Yes," she replied. "Because you wouldn't actually do that."
"Do what?"
"Trade whatever he wants for me."
His expression hardened instantly.
"You don't know that."
Melody shrugged, though bitterness lingered beneath the gesture.
"Oh, I know. Because I'm not important to you."
Silence wrapped around them heavily after the words left her mouth.
"I'm just a trophy wife handed to you so you could properly ascend the throne and look like the rightful ruler of Devera."
She could feel Orionn staring at her, but she kept going.
"My family doesn't care about me," she continued quietly. "If that man had taken me tonight and killed me, you would probably just pick another wife a few days laterShe paused, weighing her next words carefully.
"Well… I'll be damned."
Then she looked directly at him.
"Just like you did before."
The moment the words left her mouth, silence fell heavily between them.
Orionn's expression became unreadable.
"Pick another wife?" he repeated slowly. "Care to elaborate, my dearest wife?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
And somehow, that was scarier than if he had shouted.
Melody swallowed but refused to back down.
"You told me not to ask about your mysterious woman," she said. "But you seemed affected when they mentioned her."
His jaw tightened.
"If you really loved her so much, then why did you marry me?"
"Shut up, fairy princess," Orionn snapped sharply.
Now he looked angry.
Instead of continuing the argument, he turned and started walking toward the castle.
"Yes, walk away," Melody shouted after him. "That's what everyone in this castle does whenever I ask questions!"
But Orionn didn't stop.
He didn't even look back.
He just kept walking.
Frustrated, Melody turned and headed toward the human quarters instead.
The moment she arrived, Amah rushed toward her alongside a few other mortal girls.
"Thank goodness you're okay!" Amah exclaimed. "We heard the explosions and everything happening in the city. I was so worried."
Melody finally relaxed a little.
"I was with the Alpha," she said. "I'm fine."
Even so, the smile she gave felt forced.
"I just wanted to make sure all of you were safe too."
Amah visibly softened at that.
Melody walked back toward the royal quarters with Amah beside her. Once they reached the section belonging to the Alpha, Amah stopped.
"I'm so happy you're fine," Amah said, squeezing her hand gently.
"Likewise." Melody smiled faintly. "You seem to be doing better without me. Back in Lyrius, we were practically inseparable."
Amah grinned. "Well, you have other things occupying your time now."
Like a grumpy, arrogant husband, Melody thought.
She stopped in front of the bedroom doors and pushed them open, already preparing herself for another argument.
Though honestly, she doubted one would happen.
Orionn had a habit of shutting conversations down before they could truly begin.
The room was dark. The candles had already been extinguished, but she could sense someone inside.
Orionn.
He stood near the balcony doors, staring out at the horizon where the first traces of dawn painted the sky. The silver moon still lingered faintly above the kingdom.
Melody walked over quietly and stood beside him.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Orionn finally broke the silence.
"I didn't choose another wife."
Melody blinked and turned toward him.
"What?"
"I said," he repeated calmly, still looking ahead, "I never had a wife before you."
It seemed the words she had thrown at him earlier had stayed on his mind.
"Oh." She looked away awkwardly. "I thought… you know. The mysterious woman."
"She wasn't my wife," he said, a faint sadness slipping into his voice. "I have never been married before."
"Well, I heard you loved someone."
"Let's not talk about that."
There it was again.
Another wall.
"I'm only telling you that you're wrong," he continued. "You're not replaceable."
Melody folded her arms.
"So I've heard countless times from you," she muttered. "Valuable this. Valuable that. Makes me sound like some expensive object meant to be traded whenever necessary."
She paused before adding quietly,
"And if the need ever came for you to exchange me for something important, I'm sure you would."
Orionn cursed under his breath.
She narrowed her eyes. "What was that?"
"Nothing," he replied.
"Well, suit yourself."
She turned and walked deeper into the room. More than anything, she needed a bath.
And even more than that, she needed to stop thinking about him.
Outside on the balcony, Orionn stared at her retreating figure.
Melody had absolutely no idea how much control she already had over him.
Through the bond, he could feel her emotions as though they were his own. Especially tonight.
Fear.
Anger.
Hurt.
Confusion.
And the thought of losing her—
His jaw tightened.
It unsettled him in ways he refused to acknowledge.
What the bond would do to him if she died was something unimaginable, and that alone was reason enough to keep the truth hidden from her.
She could never know.
Not about the bond.
Not about how deeply she had already begun affecting him.
He would make sure those secrets stayed buried.
A movement below caught his attention.
A figure emerged from the gardens and walked toward the castle entrance.