CARDAN AND JUDE

1. SOON TO BE

(JUDE'S POV)

 I look in the mirror and see a reflection of a girl who is confident and strong, despite facing many challenges. The girl who was denied to become a knight now rules the whole kingdom. She wears her scars proudly, a reminder of the battles she has fought and won.

"You look heavenly in that dress, my sweet nemesis." Cardan's silky voice whispers in my ear as he comes behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Yet I can't wait to tear it away from your body," he adds as he moves my brown locks to the side to bare my neck to him.

My dress is deep emerald green with intricate golden borders. The fabric clings to my curves, accentuating every line of my body. Its neckline shows off my collarbone and a little of my cleavage.

His lips contact the sensitive skin of my neck, and I close my eyes to savor the sensation, feeling a rush of desire and anticipation coursing through me.

"We just had sex in the morning. You should lower your frequency." I turn around in his arms and playfully push him away, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

"I can't help it if I can't resist you," Cardan murmurs, his voice low and husky.

The best part is that he cannot lie. Faeries cannot lie. And that makes his words even more enticing to me.

"I need energy to run the kingdom, your highness. And you drain me of it every time you make love to me." I ran my fingers through his inky black hair while his fingers traced patterns on my arm.

"Food could do that, or maybe a kiss." Cardan grins, leans, and captures my lips in a hungry kiss, his hands moving from my arm to my waist. The feeling of his lips on mine sends a shiver down my spine, making me forget about everything else except for the intoxicating sensation of being with him.

"Does it make you feel energized?" Cardan smirks at me when he pulls away , his eyes glinting mischievously.

"More than you could ever know," I reply, turning away to put on my earrings that befit my status as the high queen of elfhame.

"Let us go, Cardan. Breakfast is waiting for us." Cardan is currently busy adjusting his crown so that it is tilted and skims the edges of his eyebrows.

I observe him with a fond smile on my face.

"Now I look like the most handsome king Elfhame has ever seen." I chuckle at his antics, feeling a warmth in my chest at the sight of him.

"Not handsome but most attention needy and self-obsessed one." I remark to which Cardan dramatically puts a hand on his chest , feigning offense.

"You wound me, my queen. My ego is fragile," he says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes playfully before taking his hand and leading him towards the breakfast table.

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I feel a strange feeling in my stomach. It makes me reluctant to eat my food. I can't help but wonder if it's nerves or something else entirely. Despite my unease, I try to push the feeling aside and focus on enjoying the meal with Cardan by my side.

But the feeling grows and grows until I realize I am feeling nauseous, which is strange. I have never felt nauseous in a long time. Could it be possible that someone mixed something in my food or drink? It couldn't be, as the bomb makes sure that the food is free from any harmful substances.

I drink my glass of water, and I immediately feel like I am going to throw up.

I abruptly stand from my spot on the table and rush towards our royal chambers without giving any explanation to Cardan.