ed hair fell all around her like a curtain. She didn't move. She just

y, she raised her head and looked toward the door. For a moment, she didn't know wh

to peek out. It was the maid. The s

's hands and turned to leave. Kiera stood there for a moment, holding t

down, placing the tray beside her. The food looked amazing, l

never let her go hungry. That w

as she chewed slowly. The room was so quiet, she could hear every sound

hough she wasn't tied up anymore. She wasn't free either. Sh

ghten. She put the bread down

on stared back at her, pale and tired. Her once-bright eyes looked du

es of the past night flashed in her mind. S

think about it," she

see the outside world. The sun was shining, the trees swayed gently in the breeze. For a moment, sh

ped them all out, leaving nothing but ashes and blood. She'd watched it all from the shadows, helpless as everything burn

ke she was nothing-no respect, no care. She was just a piece of property. They knew who she was, though. The Alph

eeing her people fall, watching the bloodshed. But it wasn't the worst of it. The worst was being sold, sold

t her, claimed her, and she had no choice but to follow. It wasn't like she had any hope of escape. She

east here, she was just another slave to him. It felt wrong, but she felt safer with R

s. She couldn't stop thinking about the way his eyes burned into her last night. The power in

the door. She froze, holding her breath. The heav

as t

space in the room. His piercing eyes landed on her, cold and unfeelin

st stared at her, his lips pressed into a t

, his voice calm bu

warning in his tone made her force herself to obey

edator sizing up its prey. His boots made

aid, his voice low and al

knew better than to spe

ch. He walked around her slowly, his gaze heavy on her sk

almost playful. "The way you avoid looking a

ed hard, he

ight behind her. His breath was warm agains

er sides. She wanted to disappear, to

r wide, scared eyes met his, and for a moment, she thought she saw some

voice quiet but commanding

her voice barely a w

mile tugged at h

k, his eyes roaming over her like s

one leaving no room for argument. "You'll sta

meant, but the thought of being by his sid

ha," she

his eyes. "Get ready," he said, turning t

s weak. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her mind rac

door opened again, and the maid en

d said briskly, placin

she picked up the fabric. It was soft and sm

iliar material. When she was done, she glanced at the mi

e left as quickly as she had come, l

to toe. His expression was unreadable, but somethi

he said, h

ith every step. The hallways were quiet, the air heavy with

dn't help but wonder wha