he orchestra played a swelling waltz, but nobo

l Stone stood beside him, the newly pin

use was d

voice amplified by the microphone

, blindingly bright. It la

ll over t

kes on his wheelchair.

Imogen whispere

he said throug

r support, Julian pushed himself up. His bad leg trembled

he s

, leaning hea

pocket and pulled

ngly, lowered himself onto one knee. The fabric of his uniform strained against the bandag

. A collective i

arrying to the back of the room. "I told you I

ands. Tears streamed down her face,

you ma

out. "Yes, you

upted. Thunderous applause. The King clapped from

et table, Isolde watched the

the ro

e almost dropped her clutch. She gr

ern instantly replacing his

y touched her stomach. No. It couldn't be. Not yet. The timing w

g to focus. Her gaze

d the stairs, a man in a black tuxedo step

The head of the King's 'Special Operations' division-the departmen

e gave a single, sharp nod. The

t wasn't an order to kill. It was an activat

room frantically

ilia. The K

ng at the proposal. She wasn't looking at the King. She was s

life. Consort Cecilia Dies of Sudden Heart F

nod. The

d the tim

nto his suit fabric. The joy of the engagement evaporated, rep

kissing in the spotli

the knives were alre