Secret Princess: The Beast's Captive Mate

d not fall;

cloak. The fabric soaked through, clinging to his broad shoulders like a second skin, but he didn't f

t the mud-slicke

dragging three civilian women toward an iron-barred carriage. The wome

mud, fighting back. She thrashed, her finge

heavy pommel of his broadsword and brought

lapsing face-first into the filthy puddle. The guards grabbed her b

gripped the marble balustrade. The ancient marble felt cold and unyielding, threat

shut. Bile rose in th

ived, the rare ones who were born, were no longer human beings. They were currency.

of thunder sho

elt for the women below morphed into a suffoc

s in labor.

ristine carpets. He sprinted down the corridor. His heavy leather boots slam

d to avoid the main arteries of the palace. If his brother, Kin

nst a cold stone alcove. He he

l guards strolled pas

ne guard sneered. "I bet a month's wages s

gainst the stone, fighting the urge to draw his sword and slaughter t

off the wa

ace-the West Tower. He stopped in front of a heavy oa

times. A specif

olt scraped back. Th

hoved his

od and bitter herbs. It was so thick it coated the

mattress. Her skin was the color of ash. Her nightgown was plastered to her body w

the bed. Her hands were slick with

s hands were thrashing in the air. He caught the

open. She felt his warmth. A weak,

ngernails dug deep into the back of Alistair's hands.

is forehead against hers. Their sweat mixed. "I'm her

of the bed. Her bloody hands worked frantical

own her chin. She let out a bloodcurdling, chest-tearing scream. Sh

nds went completely li

. He snapped his head to

in her bloody palms was a tiny, moti

went de

wo seconds. T

row stone window. Alistair forgot how to breathe. He stared

tiny che

y shattered the heav

nths. His knees buckled. He hit the stone floor beside the bed, his

usted smile touched her bloody lips

pper basin. She started wiping the blood

he bed. His eyes locked onto Agnes's moving hands. He waited for

or