The Betrayed Princess Rising (Lylah and Ezra) novel Chapter 296

Chapter 296

Lylah’s POV

40

Finished

“Let’s return to Moonclaw and come back another time,” I murmured, cupping Ezra’s cheek. His skin was cold beneath my palm, chilled by the biting air. But as always, his hand rose to cover mine, warm and grounding, as though anchoring me to him.

“I’m not in a hurry, Lylah,” he said softly. “We’ll wait as long as it takes. If we must, we’ll take a room at a nearby inn. But we’re not leaving until you see Commander Ivar and offer him your wishes. You’ve wanted this since last night.”

And he was right.

Still, guilt tugged at me.

We had already been waiting for more than an hour, the cold seeping deeper with every passing minute, and it was because of me that Ezra had to endure it.

“Lylah!”

The shout rang out just as Ezra and I stepped back onto Commander Ivar’s lawn. We wandered the grounds to shake off the restless boredom. The earlier guest’s car was gone now, but in its place stood a far more familiar one.

Grandfather Vargan’s.

“Grandpa!” I hurried toward him, skirts brushing against the frozen grass. “What are you doing here?” I asked, half laughing, half exasperated.

He huffed, his breath fogging thickly in the cold air. “Ezra kept your visit to Ivar’s estate from me. Did he truly think I would let the two of you come all this way without me?” His eyes flicked toward Ezra with mild reproach. “I had them bring me here at once.”

“We just didn’t want you traveling in this weather,” I said, slipping my arm through his.

“And yet here I am,” he replied dryly. Then, more seriously, “Have you seen Ivar?”

I shook my head.

Before another word could be spoken, the heavy doors of the estate slammed open.

Commander Ivar stood framed in the doorway, his presence hitting like a sudden pressure drop. But the moment his gaze found mine-

It softened.

Warmth bloomed in my chest so suddenly it stole my breath, and before I could stop myself, I was already moving-running toward him.

“My assistant said you came to see me, Luna,” he said, his voice deep, carrying that quiet authority that demanded to be obeyed. Yet there was something gentler beneath it now. “What brings the Luna of Moonclaw to the door of an old wolf like me? Surely you are not here out of pity with winter so close at

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40

Chapter 296

hand, are you?”

I shook my head quickly. “No-never that.”

Finished

I met his gaze without hesitation. “I only thought no one should celebrate the new moon alone.” I hesitated, then smiled softly. “Happy Renewal, Commander Ivar. I hope your home stays warm through the winter.”

For a heartbeat, the frost in his eyes held.

Then it melted.

He reached for my hand, his grip firm and steady. “Happy Renewal, Luna Lylah,” he said. “May Selene’s grace follow you through every cold day to come.” His thumb brushed lightly against my knuckles. “And thank you for your gift. I like it so much.”

Relief unfurled in my chest, warm and bright.

He wasn’t angry.

Behind me, Grandpa Vargan’s voice cut in, warm but edged with complaint.

“You’ve kept my granddaughter waiting in the cold long enough, Ivar, look at her, her cheeks are flushed from the chill. Are you not going to invite us in?” He gave a pointed shiver. “Even I am starting to feel it.”

Commander Ivar’s gaze flicked past me, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Your bones were never stronger than mine, old friend.” Then, with a slight incline of his head, he stepped aside. “Come, you are all welcome in my house.”

Warmth greeted us the moment we crossed the threshold.

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