gers. Her lungs filled with the strange smell of steel and cedar. The air felt heavy, as if it hadn't forgiven her for the magic from last night. He is not the one who is cursed. Yes, you are. Her

bsidian lined the top floor of the Vale Industries skyscraper. Elira padded barefoot through the grand hallway of the suite. Underfoot, the marble felt colder than ice.Kieran was on the terrace when she found him. Ignorant of the ancient forces stirring in its skies, the city sprawled below in a haze of lights and noise. We

You're not possible." "And you pose a threat." His voice became sharper. Elira, that flame knew who you were. You also didn't wince. You embraced it. "I didn't-" "You didn't think twice. You sei

hing for a while. It has also caught up. Her eyes narrowed as she gazed at him. "You speak as though you know me." At last he turned. "Yes, I do." That look was there

. She gazed. "Public?" "Elira, you are now my wife. It must be seen by everyone. The council keeps an eye on everything. And they'll use the clause if they think this marriage isn't genuine. Her stomach churned. "Which clause?" "The one that permits them to murder

bles and elite mages lined the edges.The new Lady Vale had drawn the attention of the whole magical world. Kieran muttered to himself, "You're doing fine.""I wasn't requesting permission." He bent toward her ear. "All right. You are not in need of it. A shiver ran down her spine

e-and then vanished.Without hesitation, he made his way through the crowd, keeping his gaze on her, until he was three feet away.The man held up a gloved hand as Kieran moved forward. "Viol

gged her away. "Are you in pain?" "No," she muttered in a daze.Her wrist, however, was burned.She cast her gaze downward.She had been burned with the same sigil from her dream.It was luminous.And underneath it, inscribed in flame on her palm, was a message. "The purpose of the ring is not to shiel