– Chris' POV
The silence in the chamber was deafening.
Amara stood in front of me, her chest rising and falling with controlled fury. Her lips, usually commanding in court, were curled now in restrained rage. I could see it in her eyes—she didn't come here to talk. She came here to remind me she was more than a title. She was a force.
And yet… I couldn't stop looking at her.
The same woman who once vowed to die for me… now looked like she might kill me.
The guards had sealed the doors behind her. My command. No interruptions. No one walks out. Not even her.
I took a deep breath, stepping away from the war table, walking slowly toward her. She didn't move. But her jaw clenched.
"You locked me out. Publicly humiliated me. You let your soldiers raise weapons at you just to make a point. And now you want to trap me in your chamber like some—"
I cut her off gently. "I still love you, Amara."
That stopped her.
The fire in her eyes didn't die—but it flickered, just for a second. Confusion slipped through. Vulnerability.
She scoffed, barely whispering. "Is this how you show love now, Chris? Through commands? Through isolation?"
I stepped closer, now only a breath away. "This empire… this burden… it's heavier than you imagine. I needed time. Space. But not away from you. Just away from everything."
"You disappeared," she said, voice cracking. "I defended your legacy. I carried your crown when the world doubted you. And now—"
"I know," I said, gently placing my hand over her heart. "And I'm sorry for everything I've made you endure. You've been stronger than I ever expected. But I never stopped loving you, Amara. Not for a second."
She looked at me, breathing unsteady. "Then why lock the doors? Why block Darius? Why silence even me?"
"Because trust is like glass in this castle. One slip, and it's a weapon. I needed to see who would fight for me… and who would fight for themselves."
"And what did you see?" she whispered.
"I saw a queen who ruled better than most kings." I paused. "But I also saw a fire that could burn everything down—including us."
Silence.
Then… her hand slowly touched mine.
Not forgiveness. Not surrender. But a sign she hadn't walked away—yet.