ed as she read the mes

ourt tomorrow.Dres

She felt like she had been summoned into something greater than herself, and for the fir

at clicked smartly against the tiled floor. Her hair was tied in a loose ribbon behind her neck, bouncing with each step. The guards ushered he

s," she cal

-scanning her from head to toe with a measured, unreadable expres

id simply. "It's exactly what I'm doing. We'

brow. "Are you..

his glasses. "It's the o

reached out, gently catching his

impression?" she asked, a c

of his arm. Together, they stepped into the courtyard, presenting

onto a stunning white mare, while Hans mount

chievously. "Are we

ok. "It's a tour,

ns, and rode off in a sudden blur of laugh

d following after her, a reluctant chuckle escapin

e sheer thrill of freedom coursing through her veins.

horses could be this

s on her more than the road ahead. "A

he grinned. "Bullet nee

lle

e mare halted too suddenly. The ground below dipped dangerously near the base of an or

ith alarm as he dismounted and rushed to

fully, mud staining the hem of her dress. He placed her ont

ed. "Prince Hans?"

ce soft but firm. "You'r

d but sai

s. Prince Hans carried her into his chambers himself. His parents ent

ned behind, sitting by her bedside. He reached out, brushing a damp strand of ha

rn lad," he repe

d open, her voice barely

re. Do you ne

drink, supporting her head. She w

e asked, a rare flicker

thing

up, eyes unreadable. Then, without warning, he pre

t laced with meaning.

pain. It was about something deeper-control, resistance, power, attraction

, almost mocking, "for going against my orders. Especia

sn't a pawn, that she'd entered this agreement as an equal. But then he p

pped pr

aze. Something intoxicating. And oddly

ster entered. Hans stood smoothly,

a soft smile playing on his li

r with practiced charm before walking out, hi

d let out a small lau

eated beside her. "What

ied, brushing it off. "I

his fingers pressing into her hand, on the fire in his

ng to be a simp

nica knew she'd just stepped into the middle of

, she was r