amber

els heavier with each passing moment. The silk clings to her skin, damp with sweat despite the chill in the

ber. Jasper's chamber. N

s not feel

ire burns low in the hearth, crackling softly. The scent of pine and le

trying to steady the t

voices echoing through the hall. Jasper sat at the head table, drink

e, the pack erupted in crude cheers and howls. Araya's cheeks burned as Mill

. "It will be alright," Millie whispere

ed, unable

she

full and bright in the sky, casting silver light across the courtyard

stares back at her, pale and hollow-eyed. The silver streaks

ks like

cho in her mind,

tain fall and turn

remains

ees. Her hands are still stained with dried blood from the thorns. She did

les. The candl

stret

bling rhythm. She tells herself this is normal. T

oor does

The gown rustles with each step, heavy and suffocating. She considers removing it, changing

t know what

not know

higher. The fi

hands folded in

o the coldness in his eyes, to the

nd means

eyes shut, forcin

g forced into this arrangement. Perhaps tonight will be different. Perha

rh

remains

arth. A pitcher of water sits beside a basin. She pours some into the bowl and

on a cloth and loo

l cl

g at their bases. The fire is

ses to the door and presses her

le

s. No voice

g. She should not leave. This is her

lence is s

a crack, peering into

pt

ering in the draft. The stone floor stretc

gown whispering against the floor. The cold

main hall. Her pulse quickens with each step. She shou

ing pulls

low and murmured. Laug

lf against the wall. Her br

es grow

and teasing. "You're te

nd familiar. "And yet

s hear

t v

sp

opening into a small alcove lit by a single torch. Two figures stand in th

cascade of honey-blonde hair. The elegant curve of her sp

re

catches, shar

sting on his chest. Jasper's hand curv

t move. Can

jaw. "She's probably still waiting for you," Serenya m

low, almost a grow

oft and cruel. "Y

pract

teasing. "She'll never satisfy you, yo

oes not

s tearing flesh. The silver thread she has been searching for, th

should turn and walk a

eet will

finding Jasper's. The kiss is slo

ck, her hand flying to her mouth to s

She stumbles, catching herself against

s head

rs in her ears. S

, the sound echoing through the corridor.

and slams the door beh

The fire is dead. The

ntil she sits on the floor, knees pulled to her chest.

. For Jasper to follow. To dem

oor remai

s. An hour.

does n

ower in the sky,

n she h

tst

te, moving dow

She presses her ear aga

steps gr

ap beneath the door. Pine and

sp

otstep

reath, waiting fo

t doe

moving past the chamber,

ing