Knox led me through the winding halls of the palace, his strides confident and unhurried as I struggled to keep up. My new quarters, as he called them, were located on the eastern wing of the castle, far from the bustling activity of the main hall.
When we stopped in front of a massive wooden door, Knox pushed it open and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.
The room was… breathtaking.
Golden sunlight filtered through tall arched windows draped with sheer white curtains, illuminating the polished wooden floors. A grand four-poster bed with dark mahogany frames sat at the center, its plush mattress covered in soft cream linens and adorned with golden embroidery. A chandelier hung from the high ceiling, its crystals catching the light and scattering rainbows across the room.
To the left, a small sitting area with velvet armchairs and a round table stood by the window, and a tall bookshelf lined one wall, its shelves filled with books whose spines gleamed with gold lettering. Across from the bed, a wide vanity with an ornate mirror rested against the wall, and beside it, a door led to what I could only assume was the bathing chamber.
It was nothing like the cold, cramped spaces I’d grown used to in Amira’s pack.
“Welcome to your quarters,” Knox said, his voice breaking the silence.
I turned to face him, my mouth dry. “This… this is all mine?”
Knox smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “For now. If you survive.”
His words hit me like a slap, and I blinked, unsure if he was joking or simply stating a fact.
“Survive?” I asked cautiously.
“Alaric doesn’t waste time on dead weight,” Knox said bluntly. “He chose you. That means he’s watching, even if you don’t see him.”
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling like the opulence of the room was a trap waiting to spring.
Knox stepped forward, his posture more relaxed now. “Since you’ll be seeing me often, let me introduce myself properly. I’m Knox, Beta to the king. My job is to ensure you don’t make a mess of things—or get yourself killed.”
“I see,” I murmured, feeling a lump form in my throat.
“You’ll have questions,” Knox continued. “Ask them now or save them for later. Either way, you’ll find I’m not the babysitting type.”
Before I could respond, a knock came at the door, and Knox turned toward it. A young maid stepped inside, her expression neutral as she took in the sight of me.
Her sharp green eyes scanned me from head to toe, her lips pursing slightly. She was slender, with auburn hair tied into a neat bun, and wore a simple gray uniform.
“This is Elise,” Knox said, gesturing toward her. “She’s here to assist you with settling in.”
Elise gave a stiff nod in my direction. “Luna,” she said curtly, the word coming out clipped and almost resentful.
“Thank you,” I replied softly, though my voice wavered under the weight of her cold stare.
She moved around the room with practiced efficiency, straightening the already immaculate sheets on the bed and rearranging items on the vanity.
I tried to break the silence. “Elise, isn’t it? How long have you worked here?”
She glanced at me briefly but didn’t answer, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“I was just wondering—” I started again, but she turned sharply and strode toward the door.
