ce A

horn. But Prince Acheron hadn’t taken into account that their dance would catch everyone’s attention, and he now found himself in the middle of the ballroom, s

second, he feared he put her on display unjustly. If she couldn’t dance, the Cou

, boring. She danced with grace and precision but also a smoothness indicating she was quite experienced. For the final part of the song, a bridge with loud

k to the dance floor for the next song. Ara bowed and spu

u,” he said, pulling her back towards him. He placed his hand on

r

had the other night,” Prince Acheron said

f in the music, enjoying the moment. No collar, no killing, no pain. She was just a girl dancing with a handsome

d the other half wanted to keep dancin

that, we met fairly in the roles we were playing. You must have figured out by now

o take it you didn’t learn your

rre

our story,

st

ila’s companion several times, but it isn’t clear t

ya from your father’s forces. She was the queen's right hand. Princess Lila and

ad just called the Hova Empero

int of anger or resentment in his voice.

other?” Ara sa

n… that happened. But I know the story. I

e of everything that had happened. He had grown up in Starfal

but the mention of Starfall and the life she never had, expanded the void she sometimes felt in her heart. Most of the time, it was easy to

pared to the royal palace, though I don’t know if it

ckly tried to compose herself, hoping no one would notice. She caught glimpses of faces, Hova and Fae, looking in their

for a while until Pri

you for keeping my… se

evel of formality she should be addressing him with. He was probably able to order her execution

rince Acheron, lookin

ll the truth, and by then, there’d be a disaster between you and h

ron raised

that hard

hy

hing but rage there. Do you expect me to believ

ren’t there,” Ara said

e and shrugged. Then he made her sp

hen I see it,” he said, l

ent shivers d

Thorn appeared behind Prince Achero

t be alright if I da

g,” Prince Acheron said, nodding and leaving the d

s icy eyes f

he said, taking Ara’s hand and p

to dance. You ordered me to,” she said, s

girl. You left it on m

d, and she let ou

careful next time,” she said as her eye

her turn to