n Jord

breathing harsh in my ears. The laughter and wh

ttie caught up, blocking my path. Her face was a

ice dripping with counterfeit sympathy. "But you can't blame Harper.

of us who couldn't transform. A rem

y. "Move, Lady Conway. We have n

d, replaced by the raw, ugly spite I knew so well. "You think you're still th

ss meant only for me. "Everything that was yours will so

ase in my deepest insecurities. But the pa

"Is that so? Then you had best pra

satisfaction of a fight. I knew any reacti

a quiet, deserted corridor. The sudden silence was

t voice spoke

's w

ing into my throat. It was h

ing to shrink the corridor. Up close, his eyes were even more arresting

gh me. I took an instincti

etween us with slow, deliberate strides. He

a lightning strike, mixed with something ancient, like smoke

e intense. "You are not worthless, Lady Jordan

with betrayal and scorn, he was the first p

red but unadorned with the crest of any house I recognized. Everything about him scr

d," I said, my voice tight with caution,

e didn't seem to mind my wariness. "It's quite simple.

ing I couldn't decipher. "And I, as it

d up by my inten

ually, as if disc

couldn't form a

nd calloused, a warrior's hand. "Since we have both been so

e should m

ely blank. The world

ng with mine. His tone was calm, but it held a w

ield. I will stand between yo

was madness.

f my future, my name, my dignity

a lif

ld of his eyes, my heart poundi