Outlake Village
Lucifer stood at the edge of the forest, hidden behind the veil of shadows cast by tall pine trees, his eyes locked on Evelyn. She was kneeling by the riverbank, her hands submerged in the cold water, her long dark hair catching the breeze. Beside her, Charlotte laughed softly, trying to balance a water jar on her hip.
Lucifer clenched his fists.
There was something—something sharp and unwelcome—twisting inside him.
Jealousy? No.
Anger? Maybe.
Love? He scoffed at the thought.
He didn't believe in love. Not anymore.
Still, his gaze never left her.
"My lady!" Charlotte called, breaking into his thoughts as she set down the food basket. "How long does the King plan to keep us in this godforsaken wild? I swear my ribs are touching my back—we've eaten everything we packed!"
Evelyn didn't look at her. She kept washing the apples in silence before slamming one into the basket.
