ne's

r of Lunaris filled the seats, all dressed in their finest robes. Banner

e a prize being displayed. My dress was beautiful, silve

he suitors we

t Kingdom. Too old, with cold eyes

rely looked at me. His eyes stayed on Morgana, the High Witch C

rn Lakes. He smiled too much

red I wante

ightshade ste

p features. Handsome in a cold way. His robes were

" he said, hi

is moment. The honor of c

"would be" made my skin crawl. Like h

old. His touch made me want to pull away but I

ng his formal title even though he wa

htly. He'd noticed the

a feast. I was seated at the high

lene," Morgana said. She smiled

king forward to this

his interest," I

" Morgana continued, her voice l

th our families united, your positi

nsequences. Morgana controlled much of the Council. S

before deciding," I said. My voice was stead

ile didn't r

re you'll make the rig

this hall and never come back. But I h

doors ope

e arr

well-made clothes. His hair was black and slightly mes

ight. Like the wol

art s

rrival," the man said, h

from the Eastern Kingdoms. I recei

na fr

proving a merchant

n rare magical item

The Council sent the invitation to my father, but

ts to participate in the ceremony.

wanted to refuse him but

ll. Take

t the lower tables. But as he w

recognition I'd felt at the b

eathe. Couldn

e he felt it too. Then he quickly l

hing about him was familiar. Those eyes. The way he moved. B

eing ri

stayed glued to my side, talking about his accompl

earching the c

ted," Thorne said

t tired,

een a l

ire," he said. But his

u the rose garden. I had them

ker part of the gardens. Away from t

y, I thi

ake a moment,"

he's tired," a v

. His face was polite

on my arm be

vate conversat

very private," A

e the lady wan

dare

free. "Thank you for the offer, but I

y heart pounded. I headed deeper into

. The sound of water was calming. I sa

ou alr

few feet away, hands rais

rtled me

to make sure he d

or intervenin

other end of the bench. Not too

should have been awkward but it w

be here, do you?" A

, surprised by

that ob

nding your own execution i

t was bitter

tly what it

hy

't get to choo

out before I

Thorne. It's political. Strate

," Adrian said. H

hoose their own path. E

ere intense but kind. There was something in them. Somet

ou want is forbidde

if following your heart i

trong it made my hands shake. I wanted to move closer

He leaned toward me slightly

face twisted with pain. He grabbe

" I asked, rea

e said quickl

d go. It

ai

away, almost running. Lik

ed and frustrated.

nto the shadows. For just a second, in t

sive wolf where Adri

was gone. Just da

eeing things. That I was tired and st

n't shake t

That familiar pul

d to myself. "Th

to my chambers, the

ly was t