sidian desk. Viktor Volkov sat there, a glass of dark liquid in one hand and a manila folder in

ear it. I felt the weight of the gun against my hi

said. It was

nd me, his hands resting on the back of my chair. I could feel the tensi

lder onto the desk. It slid across the pol

by being stupid. You thought you were clever, swapping the blood samples at the la

e. Kaelen's grip on the chair tigh

started, his vo

"I knew the moment I saw her neck. That star. It haunted my dreams for fifteen years. Silas Thorne was my b

was a lab report with a red

e is his. She is the Thorne heir. The 'Li

under my blazer, my fingers brushing the grip. One shot. Th

ith how steady I sounded. "You killed my father. You burned my home

w-toothed smile grew on his face. "She has his f

to me for fifteen years. You saved her. You fed her. You hid her right

d ready to tear the room apart. "I didn't save her for treason, Father. I saved her because she is the key. You wan

his eyes narrow

ll her, you make her a martyr. The war will never end. but if she marries into this family? If the

he plan? Was I just a political tool

d up his drink and took a slow sip. "A marriage of blood.

ry him. Not for love, and not for a 'fake' show. You will marry him in the cathedral, in front of the whole city. You will give hi

eks. Until then, she doesn't leave this house without a dozen g

ck on us, a signal t

pinning. I was no longer a witness. I was a bride-to

he door and locked it. I turned on him imm

er's empire? Was that why you saved me fifteen years

. I had to say that. It was the only way he wouldn't kill you the

shouted, tears stinging my eyes. "I'm a pris

lled me into his arms and kissed me. It wasn't the slow, teasing kiss fro

I gripped his shirt, pulling him closer, letting out a sob against his lips. In

e two weeks," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. "Two weeks

he boy who saved me, and the man who

I whispered. "