Chapter 13

Aliyah

I could feel my blood boiling in my veins the moment Brayden stepped into the room. Wait, was he even real? His presence alone was enough to ignite a fire within me, making me shoot up from my seat. Goosebumps formed on my skin as the memories flooded back—how he toyed with my emotions, making me believe he loved me... and the way he attacked me, biting my neck. I hastily adjusted the collar of my top, praying he wouldn't see the mark he had left on me. The last thing I needed was for him to realize he still had some semblance of power over me, or worse, try to take me back and make me his slave again. "W-why are you here in Jadeisles?"

He took a step toward me, and I instinctively took a step back. "Aliyah…"

I glared at King Ashton, who stood by calmly, showing no surprise at Brayden's presence. Why would he allow that monster into his kingdom? But then it suddenly occurred to me that, despite everything, they were friends. He had every right to be here.

But that didn't mean