ing the torn shoulder of Seraphina's green gown, plastering dark strands of hair to her pale cheek. She didn't move

lds," she rasped, her voice raw above the

bare foot. The metal scraped loud in the sudden lull of thunder. "Prove me wrong," he

! Heavy fists pounded against the thick wooden door. A guard's voice, shrill with terror, sc

rframe. The sharp, acrid smell of smoke began to seep in

t straight for Lucian. Her icy fingers closed like iron manacles around h

n eyes burned into his, stripping away the ice, revealing pure, unvarnished fear. "The spy wasn't mine!

poison against this marriage from the start. The man who coveted the throne. The boy's dying w

d trembled against his skin. The torn silk of her gown revealed the bruise da

intering sound of wood. "PRINCE LUCIAN!" the guard screamed

stinging Lucian's eyes. Decision time. Trust the enemy bride scr

clamped on his wrist. Her knuckles

breathed, the name

voice cracking. "Tonight! Before the treaty

voices joined the guard's outside, shouting ab

rust. Survival first. Questions later. He ripped his wrist from her grasp, but ins

ough the chaos. "And if you're lying to me, Pri

er blow. Lucian drew the ceremonial dagger sheathed at his hip – a real weapon, unlike

ack!" he

e lock, inserted it into the inside, and tur

s er

ch tapestries further down the hall, casting monstrous, dancing shadows. Embers floated like deadly fireflies. Guards

h relief and terror. "Your Highness! Thank the Divine! The west wing stair

worst of the smoke and heat with his body. He kept his da

the right. Lucian kept Seraphina close, his grip firm on her arm. He could feel her trembling, or maybe it was his own adrenalin

f the swirling smoke ahead, blocking their path. Tall, impeccably dressed de

Cas

eyes, however, flickered past Lucian, landing on Seraphina with a cold, calculating gleam. "We feared you w

, her breath catching. He felt her fingers dig slightly

.. fortunate you both escaped." He took another step towards them, his hand subtly moving towards the ornate

's throat. The guard beside him shifted nervously. Seraph

didn't step towards his uncle. He planted hi

cutting through the roar of the flames. He met Cassian's