doors explo

lf in the grand hall turned toward the e

. Her hair fell freely down her back, and silver lig

dn't n

tor!" the royal

s cha

ed one han

or. Guards. Nobles. Councilors. All b

xcept

nd the ancient advis

ieran looked at Amara

ma

topped before the throne. Her eyes fixed on

ongs to m

laim is invalid. The Wolf Queen's bl

"Then why ar

ack

't move. Amara

y blood, by ancient law, and by the authority of the ro

erupted from her body. The crown lifted f

es. Border guards dropped their weapons. Ancient wolves emerged from

carved wolves seemed to lift their heads. An old

f this day," he whispered. "I

s lowered their heads-not in fear, but in recognitio

esty," he

il. "The crown cannot choose you.

ognized the bitter scent from the potions she had swallowed for seven years. The council had not m

s the marble, hissing where it touched the silver inlay. Several councilo

itual i

ell to o

d. "I made a mistake. I was angry. The

w her hand.

r b

d me before an entire kingdom because yo

know who

You only valued me when you dis

ead. "Please. Give

ent. Amara's voic

na, Kieran. Now you may

led throug

her! She's using forbidden magic!" She yanked a

trike, the vial s

hink I wouldn't recognize the poison y

face drain

e truth," Ama

knees. She clawed at the floor, fighting

odline by the royal council! We n

Kieran stared at

he truth ab

ry. "The council pro

ion hardened. "

na fell

r voice. "Who ki

or drew a hidden

r reach

it open. Darkness poured through the cracks, and nobles sc

od-red eyes. Ancient chains

av

owd. No guard dared approach. Even

face. Then he dropped to one knee. He took h

qu

ce. Power surged between them. Ev

her, his hand wrapped around hers. He turned

ected my

se, but his wolf force

ns around his wrists began to glow. He looked at Amara. "Tell me, my queen. S

aught. "Who murd

eyes shifted toward

ack smoke. "You still don't understand, child. The man

d slowly to

the immortal prince

r, a single tear of bl