s, parted to deliver another insult, froze in a silent 'o'

on coins, carved on busts, staring from royal

man she had just accused of being a comm

en whispering moments before now stared at the ground, at the trees, anywhere but the Princ

ice, swept over the crowd. Each pers

ped to one knee. "Your Highness," he said, his voice a low

l in Lydia's coffin. It echoed in the dea

f fine silk and shattered ambition. A choked, whimpering sou

eyes. She crossed her arms, the rough grip of the guards on her bi

wledgment. He knew, on some level, that the searing heat of her body had just saved him from a f

as paramount. This could not be seen

thing shifted in his gaze-something cold and calculating clicking into place. His jaw

the lodge. No one is to leave un

wift, disciplined efficiency, h

rl on the ground. "You," he said, his voice d

d hitting the dirt. "Forgive me, Your Highness! I am blind! I saw not

cal disappointment. "Lydia, what's wrong? Weren't yo

val, the feigned concern, the immediate assumption of a low-born lover. He hadn't stumbled upo

o use the Prince Regent of the Empire as a prop

ng her as one might dismiss a fly. She was

in front of her, so close she could feel the residual cold radiating from his body. The guar

oice a menacing whisp

me a reason why your fate sh

eyes clear and steady. The adrenaline and lingerin

" she whispered back, her voice equally qu

. A statement of fact, a remi

contracted almos

, denials. He had not expect

woman-this disgraced, scandalous woman-was far more dange

-