corridor like thunder. He burst through the door, his

is voice sharp with urgency.

t still clutched in her fist. She met his gaze without flinch

. "Beatrice. She was in my chamber

rom her, his eyes scanning the words. His jaw ti

writing," he said cold

se. She is watching. She is waiti

eyes blazing with fury. "I will find her. I w

rate urgency. "That is not why I called you here. I called you

his eyes narrowi

"I know who Beatrice is. I know why she

chest, his expression cold an

"Beatrice is not just a jealous woman. She is a vessel. She carries som

f something like fear crossing his

ture of shadow, just like the one that haunts you. And she wants to claim yo

ling at his sides. "That is impossible. I would know

ecause she is hiding it. She is masking her true nat

nched at his sides. "How do you know t

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

session in my past life. Beatrice was the heroine, but she was also the villain. She w

u are telling me that you know the future

ed to happen. But the story has changed. I have chang

verwhelming. "Then why should I trust yo

save you. The light in my blood is the only thing that can quiet the shado

arching hers. And then he sai

rse. I will help you defeat Beatrice. And in return, you will protect m

t, his eyes unreadable. And th

rmination. "Then we both die. Beatrice will destroy you.

sking for his trust, his protection, his promise. But she was also offerin

he shadow. Freedom from the nightmares

ison for fifteen years. And no

asked, his voice flat

es steady. "I want to live. I wa

ing. "And what makes you think I will keep my pr

ster," she said softly. "You are a man who has been broken by tragedy

sound. "You think you know me

understand you. But I want to. I wa

d then he said, "You are a fool. A naive, foo

of his body. "I am not a fool. I am a woman who has seen

up to meet his gaze. "You should be afraid of me. I have done

nd I do not care. I see the man beneath the mo

her, his hands clasped behind his back. The fire crackled i

your deal. I will protect you. I will keep you s

f wash over her. "Thank you,

eyes cold and assessing.

her heart pounding.

ée in public. You will smile and curtsy and play the part. But in private, you

ey eyes filled with defi

ile. "Then the deal is off. And yo

. She had no choice. She had to ac

softly. "I accept

od. Then it is settled. You will move into the chambers adjoining mine. Yo

run down her sp

You need to learn to control your power. You need to

her heart poundin

cold skin. "You will not regret this, Danika. I will protect yo

with a mixture of fear and hope. "Together,

d alone in the room, her body trembling, her heart pounding. She had made a

d his protection. She h

g sky. The sun was setting, painting the horizon in shad

as a

e tensed, her heart racing. She cro

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

her grey eyes filled with concern.

nt. "This was found in the garden," she wh

ands and unfolded it. The words swam befor

has been waiting for yo

ld. The same handwrit

with her. Beatrice

s wide with fear. "She is close.

face pale. "What are yo

s blazing with determination. "I am going to find her.

pping against the cold stone floor. She did not know where

knew o

let Beatrice

t let anyone

e. She would fig

er what