the hunting lodg

e captive spirits. The heavy oak doors were shut, sealing them in. The only sounds w

in all but name-a figure of cold, silent judgment. Ga

't on trial; she was a witness, perhaps more. Lydia knelt on the co

amian commanded, his voice

ng on his neck. His face, already pale, turned ashen when he saw the Prince Regent seated before hi

to the floor

a glacier, settled on

ess! Lady Lydia's personal maid! She gave me a purse

time, the place, the instructi

g! I've never seen this man in my life! He a

. "Your Highness, my cousin's memory seems to be failing her. Perhaps if

yes toward Gavin. It was enough. The captain

ry pop from the fire made Lydia jump. Each pass

ling, but when she saw Lydia and Jed kneeling under the Regent's cold stare, her co

ven wait to

Faye wailed, her face streaked with tears. "She said if Lady Elara

ayment, every sordid detail. And then cam

rvor in the wine, to make sure

n changed. His eyes, which had been cold and distant, sharpened with sudde

A poison that bu

e forest... they weren't an attack. They were an antidote. Sh

been repulsive, had felt like salvation. The

nspiracy was exposed, every thread lea

ed, replaced by a bitter, desperate attack. She glared fiercely at Sloane, her eyes filled wit

erest in her pathetic motives. He cared only for the facts: his authority

cefully, until she stood over her cousin. Her shad

Sloane's eyes. Only a

she said, her voic

've won? Even if I'm punished, you're still unclean! He'll never mar

at was somehow more terrifying than any shout.

her voice a silken threat. "You've

is for His Highness to decide. And you? Yo

-