Chapter 66

Music fills the palace as Dianna, Neverra, and Imogen apply face masks, teasing and warming to one another after arranging to spend the night without the others. Dianna admits she struggles with friendship, but the mood stays light.

Imogen then addresses lingering tension, revealing that she and Samkiel stopped being intimate years before Rashearim’s fall. She explains their forced betrothal lacked love and was meant for political stability, while Neverra describes the mate mark’s pull. Imogen confesses she has never felt that bond and would not trade Samkiel’s life for a chance at it. The disclosure reassures Dianna.

They start a movie, joke about Logan’s messages, and take a silly photo for him. As the evening settles, Dianna watches them relax and recognizes the kindness and safety of this new circle, contrasting it with the cruelty she’s known. Memories of Gabby surface with bittersweet warmth rather than devastation.

Later, Dianna reads Logan’s affectionate texts to Neverra and quietly notes that Samkiel has not checked on her, stirring insecurity alongside a growing wish to be “something” with him. She sits by the window, reflecting on nights with Gabby and the home she’s finding now.

Speaking to the stars as if to Gabby, Dianna apologizes for feeling happy and admits she wants to move forward without forgetting. As she acknowledges that the others—and Samkiel—make her feel less alone, an inner “lock” eases, signaling her grief is loosening and her heart is opening.