him, where he was stil

ved that he w

ouldn'

od curling from the temple's lanterns. Something had changed in the air

words. Of two golden-eyed boys kneeling before a

r: "Let

ion of the dream,

r journey here was a dange

y's march. He was different now tenser, as though his body remembered something his mind refused to accept. The veins at his temple pulsed wh

e she

bout the tomb. The co

the scroll's magic whispered in her ear

e shall perish. And t

ut loud why m

around her, she smiled an

he tried to b

lau

ouder. They slithered through her ears like silk-drape

l betray the

not what

crown a king

blistered by untouched flame. She screamed but no sound came

d all this? She cried I want t

the curves of muscle born from survival, not vanity. His sword cut through the air with a fu

ion softened for just a breath.

iding somet

feel

e truth pressed against her r

ce," she whispered. "Y

le

ropped to the earth with a thud

one who s

s glowe

t have

... the throne will only acce

ps. Not touching, but close enoug

t? You'll cho

re and winter. Hi

led. "I didn't as

"But fate has a way of choosing the ones with th

grazing hers not quit

nst her mouth, "promise me you

rning him like a lover when we both mi

r knees threat

g scream tore t

tur

e clearing, his armor slashed o

prince... he's gone! And he's

m f

osy k

ned. And he was alre

her because he wan

Liam's palace and things h