t their feet. James took it all in: the holl James rose and walked away, unbothered by Varek's glare. He returned to his chambe

stepped

ing me today,"

y pleasure. I wouldn't have let

epped closer, her voice a whisper. "

eepening, sultry and v

e," she said, her hand br

but he stepped back. "I need to rest

ready at the door. "Maybe some other ti

Instead, the dream returned the flames, the screaming,

his rage. He stared at the moon, the stars, and imagined what it would feel like to f

omewhere in the silence, sl

e stir

t sleep,

p, blinking in

raven, g

g for a more comfortable s

moment. You two will head to the slave

ked, feigning mild surprise,

arvest," Drav

is jaw but said

He greeted Draven with a curt nod

didn't

ke sure you do exactly

rs. He dressed, fastened his cloak, and joined Varek

ling hands, the sil

ey reac

a

ll, empty-ha

her exhaustion. "I'm tired of offering what I barely

nd shoved her forward. "She'

rled. "Yo

stomach. Sara buckled but didn't fall. He kic

ted. "Better to die

ept hit

blood

ked, stepping forwa

didn't

him back, hard. "I said enou

f dead than aliv

e," James hissed, "

Let them all ro

ing for her. She was bleeding, breath shaky, but her

ared

e star

e cold, dead gaze of a tyrant, but something els

ac

rm

even..

twisted, not with fear, but confu

atures hard

e same. Wicked. Arrogant. Evil. The

ement a silent scream of pain, an

heart pounding, not

about this," Varek said bi

es muttered

re, frozen, watching the woman who dared s

st, the war dr