Chapter 82. Madness

Nathan's POV

The dimly lit hall thrums with the pulse of the grand ball, the air thick with anticipation. My fingers tighten around the ornate goblet, the cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth pooling in my chest. I can almost taste victory, the culmination of years of carefully crafted plans within reach.

"Your Highness?" The voice slices through the din, and I turn, my gaze locking onto the sight of her- Ally. Her dress clings to her like moonlight on water, ethereal, making her seem as if she belongs to another realm. Dawn's essence clings to her, a silent testament to the strength she wields, a strength I've sought to harness for my own.

"Ally," I greet, my voice a low purr, but the smile I offer is a mask, hiding the sudden clench of disappointment. With her here, the game changes; she's an enigma, a variable I can't control. She does not belong to me- not yet. As she approaches, each step measured, the room til