Chapter 74

Scarlett's POV Just as I expected, the news of Alexander's sudden appearance had already traveled quickly. By the time Lucien and I returned from patrol, the corridors were filled with murmurs. Servants bowed their heads as I passed, but their eyes lingered, heavy with questions they dared not speak, thinking I wouldn't notice their sneaking glances. The mark on my skin pulsed faintly, as if mocking me for trying to resist, for attempting to break the bond that the Moon Goddess had bestowed upon us. It was no longer burning intensely as it had that night, but the mark was still there. The scars were still there, an old wound disguised as flesh. "I'm guessing he did this on purpose," Lucien said, his voice low and his jaw clenched. I nodded solemnly. "He surely did it on purpose—to make it seem like there are still ties between us, that Nightshade and Crescent Moon are seen together—looking as though we're plotting something, forming an alliance." Lucien's eyes darkened. "He certainly t