ier

g light spills through the window and the birds s

le

red hair, so red it looked like blood and sunset. Her hazel eyes, tired and afraid and beautiful. The way h

tell anyone.

thing in return, some hold t

e distr

everything and says nothing. "You have stared at that wall for ten minute

ot dist

s gaze knowing. "You were seen with her

calm, too calm.

Moon. Nothing else. You are not here to save

why I

aria is watching. You cannot afford mistakes." He turn

rince, heir to the throne of Lunaria. I should not care abou

t her, and I ca

face. My eyes are calm and my hand

too grand and too cruel, past guards, slaves, and nobles. In the dining hall

er. Welcome.

, wine sparkling in the light. I think of the slaves and

I se

wed, hands clasped, in a plain, worn dress. Bruises shadow her cheek. She looks up, and

I want to cross the room and explain that I was waiting for the right moment. Instead

ot look at

e show you where the Blood Moon will be held. It is th

in a napkin, and slip it into my pocket. I do n

stone and glass. Inside, the ceiling soars and the windows are so

say. It is not a comp

glass, the wolves will gather, and the bonds will be forged." He gestures to a man by the door. "This

forward, bows

a catch of breath and a flicker in her eyes, but I see it.

ith her head bowed, trying to be invisible. I know that feeling, the wish to

" I

frowns

want him.

m goes

twists. "She is a

er to be

ined. She is no

" I hold his eyes. "Are

s, and it is not kind. "Of course not. If that is what you wish." He

e, her face pale

ehind him, Thomas among them, and th

and confusion and something el

an Princ

told to serve the Lycan. I

ll me?" she asks,

going to. I was waitin

lied

just did not tel

t. "What do you

ket, the cloak, the way she trusted me at the

to kno

she w

er, because I

t kno