r

reached for the dagger she had just hidden under he

ace,” Count Thorn said, looking mad enough to ki

gra

olent girl,” Count Thorn said, fixing his eyes back

onto the ground at the same time her whole body bent down into a kneeling position.

aring,” Coun

her head down and

e collar’s power, no matter how much she mentally told herself to not fight it. It was easier when sh

Darien the II. He couldn’t be. But there was no mistaking the hair, those blue-grey eyes,

er. All she could see were his gleaming

but the tug wouldn

d up, and her face met with Prince Acheron’s chest. She couldn’t look him st

ince Acheron said with

Arab

ou carryin

fancies carrying that around to protect the princess. As if she were in danger,” Count Thorn said quickly, s

to get in front of Ara. Then Count Thorn stepped up to face her, slapping her ch

he said slowly, a sad

her to stick her head into the water and keep it there. So many ti

shutting her airways out. Her chest heaved as she t

ing her. “Please, there’s no need. I

Thorn said, looking surprised

away as if not wanting to be stained by touching

, your grace. You, go stand in the corner and stay quiet,” Count Thorn

where she had been sent to stand f

y and went back to the chair he had

like spring, like the sun shining on wet grass. What on earth had he been doing last night, dressed as an assassin?

we, your grace?”

eron said, sounding co

lcome to bring all your soldiers and general

nk y

as last night? I had other matters to attend

was told some of the entertainment c

ming. “It was a rough night, it seems.” He

he Fae you have under your

were to your

d get back to my men. I hope it’s alright if we camp on your grounds and I stay ther

. Your guest room is there if you choose to use it. I did,

ck again, but no one would ever think he could be anything but a prince. His military u

efore she could stop herself, she let out a sneeze. She thought s

led at her. “And close the

ent, even if a tacit truce had been signed the second she hadn’t given him away to Count Thorn. It would

robably never speak again. Part of her wanted to beg him to gi

her would never

to the secret room, imagining all the ways she

ce A

ed to Count Thorn. For some reason, he thought he’d be disappointed if she had cowered out. The scene he had just witnessed was so unlike the girl he h

im to concentrate on Count Thorn. He had to consciously fix his eyes on the o

e imagined all sorts of ways that could play out. But then she stood there, silently taking in the abuse. And Count Thorn prob

e man. He was exactly the kind of person he was fighti

he said to Count Thorn, who went

r grace.

s blood and unconsciously shuddered. He was torn between hoping the girl would