y

op the relentless wondering: what had he offered my father in exchange for me? I had tried to catch the

ad barked a price so steep the man's face drained of color until he looked like a ghost. For

red, pulling a strand of hair into pl

flicker of something...pity, perhaps, shone in her eyes. A

heavy ocean. A thick gold necklace weighed down my throat, and m

pe warmed my blood. Soon, I would be away from this house

d open, and my f

s scanning me with the chilling admi

eve you are fi

ted a tremor of genuine emotion in his voice.

m watching. So behave. No talking.

rtured withered instantly. I forced my lips to curve upward, burying t

leave hi

ll, the air seemed to vanish as th

he's bea

oddes

ue. The Princess of Moo

inhabited since birth. I remembered the night I had pressed a knife to my own cheek, desper

use of your beauty." I had dropped the

d the altar felt like a step toward a door that was finally unlocking.

inst my ribs, a franti

anding before h

listening with fake, practiced tears.

ever seen. His eyes were the color of cold steel, and his jet-

about how men marry for love, and how they cherished beautiful wives. Perhaps, in the Blackth

ke her as your wife, Alpha

id, his voice a de

ou take him as your hu

to break the rule yet. My eyes instinctively sought my fa

is expression a thi

obe

k is now the husband to Princess Lyr

y the Moon; what she has

inside one; usually, I was just the ornament sitting on a stool at my father's par

felt the words bubbling up in my throat. I opened

" Draven said, his voice cuttin

be qu

ad. Was this just a different cell in the same prison? I tried to tel

ed, my voice ra

eyes flashing with shock

u ta

, ready to explain. But his next wo

ve bought you," he spat, his face contorte

door and stormed out. I fo

get puffy, you lose your value. I put on t

it was my father who climbed

told you, your beauty is the only thing k

rest back. Then, with terrifying speed, his face softened. He re

n you are quiet, Lyra. Do

lowly, my t

ay quiet." He steppe

had vanished, replaced by a satisfied, chilling s

y say," he murmured. "But you'll lo

n auction. I felt the weight of his gaze, but my heart felt hollow.

ing more than a cruel delusion. I

ng to the Moon that felt very far away, wo