The air smelled of burning wood and rich wine, a stark contrast to the tension hanging thick in the room. I followed behind King Maximi

ersation hushed at first, but it did

grown bolder. In the last three months, they've pushed deeper

hey aren't just hunting anymore.

sharpened. "Tibe

I had heard of Ronan, the hunter who had once negotiated the fragile tru

umming against the armrest. "So the bastard chi

s father. Ronan at least understood restraint

f beside Dorian, feigned concern. "What could they possibly be look

but he didn't look at her. Inste

who," Maximilian corrected. "

ect of the healing salve had begun to wear off, leaving my body raw with agony. My hand

ourse, D

hing unreadable before a slow

?" he asked, loud enou

ghtening around the pi

ice mockingly curious. "Because it l

njoying my discomfort. "She does

ed to prepare. The hunters are no longer just exterminators. They

e listening anymore. His

y knees buckled slightly. The pain was unbearable, sharp and u

out, catching my wr

om wen

g to let the pain show, r

d, though there was no kindness in his v

teeth. "Yes

t go. Instead, h

re," he mused, tilting his head.

oice," Theon's voice c

licked toward h

ay," Theon said, his voice tense.

ion darkened, amusement fading into something fa

Seraphina's voice sliced thr

e settled on him. "You will not embarra

sing my wrist. "See? Even your

ath, willing the pain awa

inued, sipping from his goblet. "After all,

oser. "Maybe she en

lap the smirk

arely above a whisper, but everyon

efusing to break.

returned

istractions, cleared his throat. "E

eam in his eye told me that he

ht my gaze briefly, his expre

oticed t

gleam in his eyes, he was