Bound by fire, Claimed by love

Evelyn pressed herself against the cold stone wall, her breath shallow as she strained to catch the conversation between Lady Celeste and Duke Alistair. Their voices were hushed, their words laced with familiarity, and yet she could feel the weight of something unspoken between them.

"…You ask for too much, Alistair."

"And yet you listen," he murmured, a smirk audible in his voice. "That means you haven't dismissed the idea entirely."

A pause. Then, Lady Celeste's voice, sharp as a blade. "I would never allow such a thing to happen."

Alistair chuckled, low and knowing. "You say that, and yet here we are."

Evelyn's pulse quickened. What in the world were they talking about?

Then—movement. A flicker of shadow at the end of the corridor.

She turned to slip away, but before she could retreat fully into the darkness, an arm wrapped around her waist. She barely had time to stifle a gasp before a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

"Caught you."

Her body tensed—but then she registered the warmth, the scent of cedarwood and steel.

Damian.

He wasn't even trying to be quiet. He had no idea what she had been doing.

"I should've known you'd be sneaking around," he teased, pulling her back against his chest. "What mischief are you up to now?"

Evelyn's heart was still hammering. Not from his embrace, but from the conversation she had just overheard. "Nothing," she breathed, willing her voice to remain steady.

Damian chuckled, clearly unbothered. "Then I suppose there's no reason for you to be hiding in the shadows?"

She turned in his hold, forcing a smirk. "Perhaps I was avoiding you."

He raised an eyebrow. "A terrible lie, my dear fiancée."

Evelyn wasn't sure if it was the endearment or the way his gaze softened that made her chest ache.

If only she could ask him. If only she could tell him about what she heard.

But instead, she let him guide her back to her chambers, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead before bidding her goodnight.

And as she lay awake, staring at the ceiling, one thought plagued her.

Alistair and Lady Celeste.

They were planning something.

And she needed to find out what.