Chapter 91

• Varen appeared satisfied with my decision to align with him. Though I wasn’t entirely sure of the extent of his abilities, a flicker of hope stirred within me, lifting the heavy weight of despair that had plagued me since morning. He was right about one thing—I couldn't afford to remain idle. I needed to solidify my place in the vampire world, not just to be with Hadrian but to ensure my survival. Over the past few weeks, I had grown overly reliant on Hadrian’s power, and that realization unsettled me. It wasn’t that I doubted him, but I needed to reclaim control over my own life.
• Keeping my alliance with Varen a secret from Hadrian didn’t sit well with me. I felt he deserved to know about our meeting and everything that had transpired between Keziah and me. With that resolve, I left my chamber and decided to take a stroll through the main castle building in search of him. As I stepped outside the east wing and approached the grand entrance, I was met by two guards stationed on either side of the door. Just as I reached for the handle, they blocked my path.
• "Concubines are not permitted inside the central palace," one of the guards growled, his gaze piercing through me with an unsettling glare.