n odd angle. Groaning softly, I blink my eyes open

a soft glow around the room, making the

, her blonde hair splayed across her pillow like

up. My body aches from the day's labor

y wouldn't stop talking-or at least

lay her feelings for him. The way her cheeks flu

s I stretch and stand, c

way. The soft hum of the estate at night is oddly calmin

in either direction, and I quicken my p

ercing noise breaks through the night, s

as I freeze in place, every ner

happe

h way to go. The hallways come alive with movement as enf

ss myself against the wall, tr

ate!" someone shouts, with an urgenc

tories to know how dangerous they can be. My f

dy's room or make a run for my own, I get swept i

are futile, and I'm carried along

him

sp

in the chaos. His sharp profile stands out under the flickering

voice low and firm, and i

l. He's the prince. I al

inching to the side, but my heart skip

nized me, but his lips press into a t

t person I wan

here?" His voice slices through the ai

to my room-" I stammer, b

ack.

me bolder than usual. "But this is the only way to my r

re he can respond, a commotion outside draws his attention. Witho

d head back to Cassidy's room a

my curiosity and fear pulling m

nforcers clash with rogues, their snarls and growl

good fighter, I give it to him. He moves

er Cassidy

ingers in the air. The rogues fighti

s, killing t

t belo

zation com

retched and his eyes filled with murderous intent. My breath ca

reaches me, a silver

sp

vements fluid and lethal. The rogue's claws rake again

the rogue across the chest, send

illed?" he growls, turning to me

dn't me

arm and pulling me away from th

but not painful. The sounds of the battle fade into the backgr

e leaving no room for argument.

ring back into the fray. I sit on the col

to my chest, trying to make sense

before he returns, his pre

ded a long time ago. The fi

on his arm is already healing, the

pulling me to my feet. "I'

ut the look he gives me silen

I'm not walking too close to him,

at that time?" he demands

ugh my voice wavers under his scrutiny. "I woke up on

ng to face me. His grey eyes burn with molten silver, his frustrat

anger bubbling to the surface. "Why do you care if I die?

rther. "I don't care if you die," he gri

ither of us speaks. His gaze pierces through me, and I struggl

tion started, he storms off, leavi

my room. His absence suddenly makes everywhere feel unsafe and theast

his words, I can do that in

o caught up by his presence and the argument that I didn't real

actually walked

de, closing the door behind me. Fo