A MAYN

son, and our chambers were a flurry of activity for Rowena's final dress fitting and styling trial. The air was thick with the scent of hairspray, expensive perfume, and raw ambition. Every

l hiss, "is Prince Sebastian Carlisle." My daughter is my greate

ond hairpin into her curls to test the look. "Princess Bea

ls around her slender neck, my touch a silent command. "You are beautiful, my dear. Far more beautiful than that newly minted 'Baroness.

g with the dream of a crown. M

My husband, Vincent, stood by the window, his back to me. He was polishing a

a, his first wife and my older sister, had been dead for ne

rn around. "Show some respect,

oving to be just as troublesome." I brought up Seraphina's sudden ennoblement, and he finally turn

e warned. "The King has shown her

existence is an insult to us! Her aunt stole you from me once,

ry. Don't let your jealousy consume you." He turned and left the roo

PHIN

ne Coast, when Clara entered, her arms caref

or you!" she chirped. "F

ed. Gifts had been arriving all day,

f pure snow, except for a brilliant crest of sapphire-blue feathers on its head. It tilted its head,

outhern jungles. They were impossibly rare, obscenely expensive. And I had on

It had to be him. No on

ip. This wasn't a gift of wealth; it was a message. I know you. I am everywhere. A chill of being watched crept

p it, Clara. I

red again, this time holding a single,

incess Beatrice's upcoming birthday gala. As a newl

line was scrawled in a different, wilder ink. A

ard to seein

led my invitation. What was his role in this palace? The q

IAN

rd Seraphina's suite. My Beta, Owen Hayes, stood silently behind me. He was a quiet,

have been delivered," Owen reported. "Baroness

to get used to my presence in her life, whether in the shadows

ot let Seraphina's triumph go unchallenged. The

d be ready

ard estate's preparations. And ensure the guest list for the gala

ing sharp and predatory. I was going to