Chapter 11 Forest’s Whisper
|| Lilac’s POV ||
The house was in chaos.
Flowers everywhere, servants scrambling, and my mother’s voice cutting through it all like a drill sergeant’s. “Lilac, sweetpea–ivory or gold? The emeralds or the diamonds? And the shoes, we can’t forget the shoes!”
I swallowed back the urge to scream. “Whatever you think is best.”
It was the same answer I’d given all week. Because honestly? I didn’t care. Not about the dresses, not about the guest list, and definitely not about the man waiting at the end of this farce.
Kael.
His name alone made my skin prickle. He’d been hovering around our house like a bad smell, flashing that polished smile while his gifts piled up–each one more extravagant than the last. A diamond bracelet. A vintage car. As if I could be bought.
I couldn’t breathe. Mom and Cassandra kept discussing the dress I would be wearing. Little did mom knew, she were preparing for my furenal. Every smile, every word from them suffocated me. I wanted to run, I wanted to leave everything behind.
“I’m going for a walk.” The words came out sharp, and I didn’t wait for a response. I just walked out, ignoring my mother’s startled “Lilac-!” behind me.
The woods were my escape.
Out here, the air was clean–no perfume, no expectations, just damp earth and pine needles crunching under my boots. I sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady the restless energy buzzing under my skin.
Think. Plan. Move. Even though I had the evidence now, it wouldn’t be enough.
The engagement was days away. The pill scandal had rattled Kael, but not enough. I needed something bigger. Something that would make him run. Mere pictures or a video could be discarded easily by the council. I needed something concrete that would seal his fate.
And then there was Elara.
“Lil, talk to me,” she’d begged last night, her eyes searching mine. “Since when do you play the happy fiancée?”
I’d looked away. Lied. And hated myself for it.
A twig snapped behind me.
I spun, heart hammering–then froze.
Alaric.
Leaning against a tree like he’d been waiting for me, arms crossed, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. “Lost in thought, sister–in–law?”
I scowled. “Don’t call me that.”
He pushed off the tree, closing the distance between us with lazy confidence. “What should I call you, then?” His voice was smooth, teasing. “Future Mrs. Reventhorn? Or just… Lilac?”
I rolled my eyes, but my pulse betrayed me, kicking up a notch. “What do you want, Alaric?”
Instead of answering, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small envelope. “Thought you might need this.”
I hesitated before taking it. The paper was thick, expensive. Inside- photo.
Kael. A hotel lobby. And a woman who wasn’t me.
My breath caught. “Where did you get this?”
Alaric’s grin was all sharp edges. “Let’s just say I’ve got a vested interest in my brother’s… missteps.”
I stared at the photo, my mind racing. This could change everything. But-
“Why help me?” I demanded, tilting my chin up. The photo crumpled slightly in my grip. “What’s in it for you?”
Alaric’s smirk slipped–just for a heartbeat. Long enough for me to notice the way his gaze dropped to my mouth before snapping back up.
Then he stepped closer. Too close.
I didn’t retreat.
His fingers grazed my cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The touch lingered, his thumb brushing the sensitive spot just below my earlobe. A shiver raced down my spine, traitorous and warm.
“Maybe,” he murmured, his voice like dark honey, “I just like watching him lose.”
His breath ghosted over my lips. Bergamot and something smokier- expensive whiskey, maybe. The scent wrapped around me, dizzying.
I should’ve stepped back. Instead, my pulse hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat screaming danger, want, more-
“And maybe,” he continued, leaning in until his lips almost brushed my ear, “I don’t like seeing you trapped.”
enough to tease. I could feel the warmth of him through the thin fabric of my blouse. And goddess I wished for him to touch ne, to pull me closer. His lips looked so kissable.
I swallowed hard. “That’s a terrible answer.”
Alaric chuckled, the sound vibrating against my skin. “You want a better one?” He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, and I gulped again. He was extremely handsome and I wanted to trace my fingers along his jawline.
“Ask me again when this is over,” his voice brought me back to my senses and the smirk on his lips told me that he knew his effects on me.
Get a hold of yourself, Lilac! I scolded myself. He is a Reventhorn, remember? Before I could respond, he turned to leave.
“Alaric-”
He glanced over his shoulder, that smirk back in place. “Be careful, Lilac. My brother doesn’t play fair.”
“What about you? Do you play fair?” My lips just formed the question. A stupid one.
“Do
you want to find out?” He smirked.
Then he was gone, melting into the trees like he’d never been there at all.
I looked down at the photo again, my fingers tightening around it.
