he morning storm. The freezing wind whipped the heavy fabric of Vladya's dark robes a

d the exit. One of Josefina's silk slippers fell off in the struggle. Her bare foot sc

ing fit seized her, forcing another mouthful of hot, metallic blood past her lips. The pain in her

g Orestus. The tyrant was still on his knees, his eyes closed in pure e

d of illusion Elinore held for this kingdom, and for th

ipping with venom. "You are a coward! Worse than a beast! You didn

h of genuine, ugly irritation crossed his face at being called o

coin at her. "Can dignity keep Navia alive in this rotting w

was a horrific, broken sound

eth, ignoring the sensation of her fractured ribs grinding together, and forced h

ce for us," Elinore ground out, her jaw loc

leaden boots toward the open doors. Every step she took

dragging footsteps behind him. He stopped. He turned his head slightly, looki

in the drafty hall. She stared directly at Vladya's b

g horror. She shook her head frantically, fighting against Dax's

e kept her eyes locked on Vladya. The look in her eyes was

massive arms over his chest and looked down at the

a short, cold scoff. The s

e merciless. "Look at you. A stiff wind would break you

a biological fact. She had to prove she had value

forward, her voice urgent and desperate. "I will be a servant. I will

and the blood smearing her jaw, the underlying bone structure was un

from the Throne Room, carryi

Beneath the sharp tang of fresh blood and

drenaline. It was a bizarre, intoxicatingly sweet floral musk. The scent was so jarring, so comp

his own chest. His Alpha instincts, usually dorma

logic. A male with a sweet scent? he thought, a wave of disgust warring with a morbi

r unnatural, intrigue

adya stated coldly, pushing the strange scent out of his m

d, he is insane! Please, ignore him! Just take me! Take me now!" She was ful

rowing her body across the remaining distance, and grabbed

The massive steel blade sliced through the air

rous intent rolling off his body was thick enough to cho

g against her vocal cords. She kept her eyes locked

ute conviction, "I swear to the gods, I will take control of Navia's army. I will marc

reat a battered, half-dead human coul

with unyielding hatred and obsession. The s

huckle rumbled deep