PHIN

d nerves. The King's permission had been spoken only, a fragile thing that could be rescinde

breathing to even out, and be

official marriage contract. My stepmother, Beatrice, stared at me as if I'd gro

e parchment. Seraphina Hayes. From this moment on

trice's smile vanished. "Are you mad?

choice," I

my room, leaving her fuming in the grand entryway. This place h

to my room, preparing for the wedding. I needed to

life. After Damien had grown bored of me, he'd thrown me

coma not long after I became Damien's bride-a

corner, a pathetic heap of rags. He didn't say a word. He just paused, looked at the guard, and nodded toward me

e to him. But to me, it was the only warmth I

his life, I wou

palace gardens. He had regained his usual arr

his little tantrum? It's

oked at him, and felt not

I simply sank into a perfect, f

He grabbed my arm, his grip like iron

nd cold. "Your Highness, I must ask y

then red, then a m

n him, and walked away. I could feel h

hamberlain, formally requesting that my wedding date be moved up. I couldn't

speed. It seemed the King was also eage

as set for th

n of defiance. He was on his way to confront me again when the Queen physically blocked his path, wa

set. My escap

IEN

en registered reaching for it-the priceless dragon-crystal shattering against the floor, the shards biting into my

not ac

or years-who had worshipped the ground I walk

ad, comatose uncle rotting aw

too terrified to even breathe. Good. Let th

r gaze raking over the wreckage with open dis

words tore out of me, raw

before I could stop it, and it startled me more than I car

Damien, control this ridiculous pride of yours. It's obvious what this is

cou

he again. That had to be it. That was the only explanation tha

ould let her play her little game. And when she came crawling back from that dreary northe