ss the cracked wall, washing t

m the kitchen, follo

il

ipped - a warning

sed for school, her neat braids

'a

the counter. "Yo

arly-" Mi

alm softness that mirrored the woman she could never forget. Hussein had b

arely two years old. But when

Milan knew the truth: she had

ngeance cloaked

ou must speak, keep your voice l

'am."she

his phone, barely glancing her way. "Tr

rting nervously toward Amy. "I

up cr

abel squeezed her hand

rm, filled with the sou

t come home next

ftly. "He said

this time he

, Chef Hussein, worked in the

eks. Every time his call

ilan's desk the moment she sat

't slee

You should've stayed when my mum offered. We'd have spoiled you by now.

playful. "Anyway, big news

blinke

have to say? He's literally the m

rangers," Milan said,

the world

, and the hum of cars faded as the hours deepened

l yard behind the house. The

night air, hea

p at the pale slice of moon. Then,

hum at first

at peace is but i

t life is but it h

nds it , Tell

me before the ni

med me wishing

I was her before

yard. Not loud enough for the world - just enough for her heart to stop

ill hanging

me Night - Ac

into palace life that week, but

and Abel at his priva

k glass walls, echoing off marble floor

bar counter. "Liam, I said pl

into his mouth. "For a prin

snorted. "More like the encore." Kamil s

nes?" Abel said, scrolling o

it sound like you

. "I miss bei

y," Abel said. "You jus

the kind of laughter built o

ou

ck to royal duties, huh? Let

g marr

ence was an

ward. "Oh, she

"Which means you're absolutely thinking about

. The convoy moved smoothly through the quiet city. The wind

k

ights blur past . Then, through the hum

elo

y aud

a yard faintly lit by the moon. He couldn't make ou

e, swallowed by

a moment longer bef

ght, Your Highness

a pause. "Just though