. She had spent the night huddled in the corner of the study,

ess had faded with the coming of light,

dow and stared out at the garden. The hedges were wet with dew, the founta

as a

e tensed, her heart racing. She cro

he doorway. His eyes were cold, his jaw tight. He was dre

, his voice flat. "Good.

lming. She stepped back, giving him space. He

" he said. "And yo

g. "I told you everything last ni

"You told me about your past life. You told me about

od ran cold.

angerous. "I heard you speaking to someo

d. He had heard her.

aid carefully. "I was talking to myse

s body. "Do not lie to me, princess. I know what I heard. You

d that. She had been so terrified, so shaken, tha

nded. "Who is Beatrice? And

. She could make up a story. But she knew that he wo

told him

supposed to be the one who healed you. She was supposed to be the one who broke

eyes unreadable. "You ex

nk I am mad. But I am not. I am telling you the

his eyes searching hers. And th

d softly. "She wants to take my place

htened. "She wan

hat you are her destiny. And she wi

ng into fists. "I do not belong to anyone,"

that way. She sees you as her possession. Her propert

am afraid of her? You think I am afraid of a woman

should be afraid. She is powerful. She is cunning. A

not afraid of anyone," he said, his voice low and dang

ught in her throat

her face up to meet his gaze. "You," he said softly. "

e was so close. So intense. His eyes burned

r voice barely above a whisper

g back. "You are my prisoner.

ed with defiance. "I belong to no one. I am m

nreadable. And then he smiled. It was not a

ike that. It will make breakin

e in her chest. "You will not

ming. "We will see," he said softly. "We

old. "I have ordered your belongings brought from the Rimes

eyes wide with shock.

ld. "I want to keep you close. I want to

spine. "You will not learn any

amused smile. "We will see,"

m, the door sla

ng, her heart pounding. He wanted her close. He w

he had to be smart. She

way to stop Beatrice b

an anything she had ever known. Silk curtains hung at the windows. A massive bed dominated the center of the roo

It was comfortab

The hedges were green and lush, the fountains sparklin

as a

e tensed, her heart racing. She cro

e filling the doorway. His eyes were cold, his

, his voice flat. "My men have

rt stopped.

ing. "A woman matching Beatrice's description. S

run down her spine.

d the borderlands. My men ar

yes filled with fear. "She is running. S

with intensity. "I will not let her hu

f gratitude and fear. "Why? Why do you care? I am your en

gainst her cold skin. "You are not my enemy," he sai

was so close. So intense. His eyes burned

s name felt strange on her tong

expression hardening. "You do not have to

her grey eyes fix

said softly. "Promise me you will not r

"I promise," she said. "I will stay.

e flickering across his lips

hold. "I will send word when my men return. Until then, st

slowly. "I

m, the door clo

rembling, her heart pounding. She had made a p

would

er what

out at the garden, her mind churning with questions. Who was

obsession in her past life. She had read it three time

ce was not following the script. B

a was the

of the light magic pulsing beneath her skin. She needed to

e tensed, her heart racing. She cro

ce pale with fear. "My lady," she whisper

her grey eyes filled with concern.

chment. "This was found in your chambe

ands and unfolded it. The words swam befor

not escape it again. The river is

was the same threat. The sam

er chambers. Beatrice

y eyes wide with fear. "She

now, my lady. I found it when I was maki

her heart pounding. Beatrice was close. B

ot stop until D

stop her. She had to find

do it before

determination. "I need your help," she said so

filled with trust. "Anything,

ove a whisper. "Go to the Duke. Tell him th

d away, her footsteps e

ding, her mind racing. She had just made a decisi

n the truth. She had

hope that he wo