him, where he was stil

ved that he w

couldn'

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

words. Of two golden-eyed boys kneeling before a

r: "Let

on of the dream, L

her journey here was a dang

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

e she

bout the tomb. The co

the scroll's magic whispered in her ear

e shall perish. And t

ut loud why m

as around her, she smiled

he tried to b

lau

ouder. They slithered through her ears like silk-drape

ill betray th

ong is not wh

crown a king

blistered by untouched flame. She screamed but no sound came

d all this? She cried I want t

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

ion softened for just a breath.

iding somet

feel

e truth pressed against her r

ce," she whispered. "Y

le

d dropped to the earth with a th

s glowe

t have

... the throne will only acce

ps. Not touching, but close enoug

t? You'll cho

re and winter. Hi

mbled. "I didn't

"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

Wen f

Mei k

kened. And he was alr

her because he wan

u wen palace and things ha