yn'

ad just r

oken, shattered. As if every rib in my chest had sp

just awakened, barely connected to me, and now she was crumblin

Breathing hurt. Mo

ment, this life. But my wolf wouldn't rise. I called to her. Begged her. But the

erl

ok

hat I ha

ly, that I would still be marrying Darius Blackthorn in Sera

better than staying

pha. No ceremony. No guests. No

ainted. Lips stained. I stared at my reflection in the

ed in, her heels clicking ar

g me. Without me stepping aside, a stray like yo

ger. "Oh, and Lucien proposed to me last night. We'r

mate. The one who had rej

marry

er loved anyone like he loves me," she add

ghtened. "Pl

don't belong here, you never did. Not even your rea

To slap her. But w

wolf. No protec

'd always done.

"Lady Ravyn, the ca

at must be Lucien's surprise

oman emerged. Tall, sharp-featured, draped in understated el

, she shoved S

you know who I am?"

ken. "Seraphina! That's Duchess

stantly. "I-I'm so

our apology belongs to Ravyn

ered. "I'm...

, we wouldn't need discipline." She turned to the guards

"Please! Have mercy. She's st

echoed u

Seraphina's screams ec

n! Hel

p! Pleas

I'll behav

t time in my lif

trying to pretend nothing had happened. She ha

s have been difficult. Let's move

he words. The insignia on the gua

ckt

family. Darius was royalt

changed. The

. Rumors said Darius

way to escape, h

ace hidden in a veil of shadow and silence

ius is my nephew. If he falls ill, if he's hurt, if he so much as sne

said quietly. "I'l

e and vanished

re now responsible for Master Darius's care. These tasks are your du

y duties. Medicines. Bandages. F

thing him and changing his dre

her crackled

like that? My curiosity bu

a corridor. "He'l

crimson tapestries. Oil paintings of long-dea

as massive, gilded, pris

em

Dar

eet. The first task remained: B

ssed. No

anged into the soft nightclothes provi

ike clouds. My eyes shu

en

dr

snake curled around my ankle, cold and slick. Its tongue f

s flew

n't a

was touc

pright w

ere he

ma

Silver eyes like blades.

se eyes was so

hing