landed on Harlow,

ink you're doin

ittaney as if she were a fragile doll. A dull ache sprea

her voice steady. "

e in his chest. "She tried to hurt Princes

"Why would you attack a helpless animal, Harlo

lid down Harlow's cheek. "You didn't see

r back finally overwhelmed her. Her legs gave out, and s

he gash on her calf, and a muscle in his jaw tw

t that cl

him, her sobs growing more frantic. "No! Kaden,

ked Brittaney's hair, his voice dripping with affectio

eyes filled with venom as she looked at Har

xpression hardening again. "You heard her. Apol

is eyes, her pain, her blood, her dignity

, but her voice w

en's voice dropped, tak

ted, trembling but defian

atrical gasp and began

ed. "Do you dare to di

time she had complied, every time she had swallowed her pride, hopi

he challenged, her voice barely a whisper. "Or i

a cruel smile touched his lips. "Don't you

wering over her. "Apologi

felt a wave of revulsion. He was willing to humi

t. She met his gaze, her own eyes filled with a mixture of pain and pity. Pity for thi

," she

owed. "Take her to the courtyard. Make her kneel. S

they grabbed her arms, Brittaney, no longer cr

her voice raspy, as the gu

on cold and impatient. "What

lready agreed, that soon he would be rid of her forever. But the words

single, desolate whisper.

of annoyance crossing his fa

her and walked away wi

gging into her arms. She felt the sharp st

d herself. Just a little