Divided

Sincerity

A/N: Wow... 500 readers! I am truly amazed and beyond grateful. Thank you so much to each and every one of you who has taken the time to read and vote for this book. Your support means the world to me.

It brings me so much joy to see that you're enjoying this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Your engagement has made this journey even more rewarding, and I couldn't be more thrilled to have you along for the ride.

Caterina's POV

"You think you like him?" Ajia asks, her voice full of curiosity as we sit on the bench in the quiet corner of the library. The vast room around us is lined with towering shelves filled with dusty, leather-bound books. The only sounds are the soft rustle of pages turning and the occasional echo of footsteps across the wooden floors. The faint scent of old paper and ink lingers in the air, giving the place a timeless feel.

I look over at her, feeling a heat rise in my cheeks. "I think so," I say, my voice trailing off. "I feel... flustered whenever he's near, and then my heart starts beating really fast, like it's not my own anymore." I smile sheepishly, feeling a little embarrassed by how strongly I react to him.

Ajia tilts her head, considering my words. "This is the first time a human has ever liked a supernatural... it's unheard of," she says, tapping her chin with one slender finger, as though weighing the impossible. Her eyes gleam with amusement. "But I'll support you no matter what, Cat!" She squeezes my shoulder warmly, her smile a comforting presence in the stillness of the library.

I nod, feeling a little lighter under her encouragement. It's strange, the thought of someone like me being interested in him, a supernatural. But there's something about it that doesn't feel entirely impossible.

On the second floor of the library, Tzan is lost in his usual routine, pouring over a massive book, his figure hunched and absorbed in the ancient pages. The soft sound of turning pages from above is the only indication that he's there, as always wrapped up in his little world.

Meanwhile, Ajia and I continue talking about the Red Moon celebration—its rituals, its power, and what it means—but in the back of my mind, I can't shake the image of him. That fluttering in my chest grows stronger with each passing moment, and I can't help but wonder where this will lead.

Xander's POV

"You didn't even have to tell me, Xander. I had a feeling," Imperia says, her black eyes meeting mine. Her gaze is sharp, like she can read right through me, and I feel the weight of her understanding. The silence of the forest surrounds us, only the rustling of leaves above and the soft murmur of distant wildlife. The air smells of pine and earth, fresh and cool.

I nod slowly, the weight of the situation sinking in. "But I just can't imagine how Athan will react," she adds, her voice tinged with concern. I can see it in her eyes—there's something about Athan's unpredictable nature that unnerves even her. He's always been fiercely protective, and this... this will be something entirely different.

We've been in the forest for hours now, away from the hustle of the castle where Athan is currently busy with his royal duties. The towering trees around us offer shelter, but the silence between us feels heavy, as if we're both bracing for something we can't control.

"It was in my vision from the very first time I met her," I say, my voice low and steady as I look at Imperia. Her black eyes reflect the weight of my words, and I know she understands. The vision was clear—inevitable, almost. I can still see it so vividly in my mind, the moment everything started to change.

Imperia doesn't speak for a moment, her gaze distant as she slowly tucks a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, her movements deliberate and calm. The forest feels timeless around us, yet I know that whatever is coming, we can't outrun it.