ella

to warm the chill that ha

or, I saw a picture of serene nobility. A high-necked gown of forest green, my family's si

a perfe

Are you

doorway, a vision in virginal white. Her pale blonde hair was artfully tousl

her touch a repulsive brand against my s

to pray for Prince Hubert's safe return,"

his day for five years,

" I said, my smile as brittle a

with pity as it fell on Elfie. Then, her eyes met mine, and a familiar flicker of disapproval, o

t was followed by a cold wave of clarity. Their

ons and smelling of polished wood. The door close

lt, being an Omega. No one takes you seriously. My only hope is to accom

rface a tether to my resolve. I listened, nodding in all the r

ash of irritation crossed her face bef

as Croft has been asking about you. He seems quite taken. He c

ing her secret tryst with the man m

e Croft pack is so interested in me?" The double me

ering our lands. Through the window, I saw him. A flicker of movement.

n of a second and gave a sin

is

nd utterly devoid of warmth. Relief washed over me, so potent

sked, startled by my expressi

pleasant mask. "Nothing. I was just thinking what a be

denly looking uneasy. For the first time, she seemed to rea

l. We were here. The Moon Shrine, a simple, ancient altar

priceless necklace. Here, she would accuse me. And here, a pack of hired Ro

ng a slow, deep breath

or the ant

d, practically bounced out, her face alight with cruel

s from my skirt before descending wit

still, too still. But I could smell them. The faint, unwa

rs were

rong, and pulled me toward the altar. "Come, si

e, and I felt nothing. It was like wa

rough the canopy of leaves, dappling the gro

ise, Elfie? I thought, a sil

h step was deliberate, heavy with the weight of retribution