𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

Chapter 13

Gemini stood in front of the palace, his breath coming in sharp bursts as he tried to calm the storm inside him. The Queen’s threats still echoed in his mind, the way she had manipulated Fourth, forcing him into a corner with the promise of his death. Every time he thought about how weak and beaten he’d been in that moment, a fire ignited in his chest, and now, with every passing second, his resolve grew stronger.

"I won’t let her win," Gemini whispered to himself, his fists clenching at his sides. He had already lost so much—his world, his sense of belonging, his control over time itself—but he wouldn’t lose Fourth. Not again. Not like this.

The palace guards were already on high alert after the events of the ceremony, but Gemini had become adept at slipping through unnoticed, a talent he had developed during his time as a eunuch candidate. He moved swiftly, avoiding the patrolling soldiers as he made his way to the Prince’s chambers.

When he finally reached the door, his heart pounded harder than ever. Pushing it open, he found Fourth sitting by the window, staring out into the night, his back stiff and unyielding. The moonlight bathed the prince’s figure, casting long shadows across the room. It was a sight Gemini had grown used to—the cold prince, bathed in moonlight, alone in his thoughts.

Fourth didn’t turn when Gemini entered, but his voice, low and tired, broke the silence. “I didn’t expect to see you again tonight.”

Gemini’s throat tightened at the distance in Fourth’s tone. “I had to see you. We need to talk.”

Fourth’s jaw clenched, but he still didn’t face Gemini. “There’s nothing to talk about. The ceremony happened, and I’ll be married to the princess soon. The queen has made it clear that there’s no other option. It’s my duty.”

“Duty?” Gemini’s voice shook with disbelief, stepping closer. “You think this is about duty? You’re going to let her control your life, force you into a marriage you don’t want? And what about us?”

“Us?” Fourth finally turned to face Gemini, his eyes hard but filled with an emotion Gemini couldn’t quite place. “There is no ‘us.’ You and I… we’re impossible.”

Gemini’s chest tightened at the words. “But what about everything we’ve been through? The bond we share—”

Fourth cut him off, his voice sharp. “You think I don’t feel it too? That I haven’t spent every night thinking about you, about what we could have had? But this isn’t about feelings, Gemini! This is about the kingdom, my legacy. There’s no place for us in this world.”

Gemini took a shaky breath, refusing to back down. “That’s not true. We make our own choices, Fourth. You don’t have to be the prince they want you to be. You don’t have to marry her.”

Fourth stood, closing the distance between them in a few quick strides. He grabbed Gemini’s shoulders, his grip firm but not painful. “You don’t understand,” he said, his voice filled with desperation. “If I don’t do this, they’ll kill you. The queen already threatened your life—this is the only way I can protect you.”

Gemini’s heart ached at the pain in Fourth’s voice, but he couldn’t let him do this. “I don’t need protection, Fourth. What I need is for you to fight for us.”

Fourth’s eyes softened for a brief moment, and in that instant, Gemini saw the man he knew—the one who cared, who loved, despite the cold exterior. But just as quickly, the walls came back up, and Fourth shook his head.

“I can’t.”

Gemini swallowed the lump in his throat, stepping even closer, his hands resting on Fourth’s chest. “Yes, you can,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “Because you’re not alone anymore.”