y

yr

away, forcing my spine to straighten as I turned irritated at the fact that he would come

rk he always did, the kind that screamed I know more than you think. I didn't

icking past him. My mind wasn't and wo

cloak draped around them, his mouth set in a frown too subtle for most to notice, but I did. I saw the way he turned his drink

l loved me and I had be

o offered, inching a little cl

embarrass Killian in front of the council? And you already told me tha

ng he didn't catch th

call it bravery. Not everyone can say not to

him. "You prefer obedient girls, don't you? Th

d. Just barely.

uc

ey had made me so. They had made ke distrust even myself and that was why i

s not make enemies tonight, Lyra. This is a sacred o

. What

f passage. But I knew the truth, at least tonight's truth. It wasn't about bonds or dest

Sel

ust of that night, but of the version no one knew exce

, it was to show Killian

year

ttered with floating candles and smiling liars. I had worn silv

hand once that night. Just

when I had given hi

hat he felt ill. Selene looked especia

member. Because Selene, sweet and cunning Selene, had colluded with D

. Braided her hair like mine.

ended. Prete

d what happened. And Selene? She smiled every t

slept with her willingly. They had told me so

o

attention had shifted to Selene, who glided across the room in gold, every strand of hair meticulous

ll

aura keeping everyone at bay. Selene moved like a predator in heels, her finger

owed m

ted," Leo noted,

distracting," I replied

" he said, his voice lower n

" I countered. "Back when yo

but this time, it w

ere's no need for hostility. We a

e him now, full

what matte

was. The ve

down a

emember asking fo

ltered. He d

gaze back

iar. He smiled coldly but politely, said something I couldn't hear

her eyes shining too brightly, he

at the glass.

oo slowly, he

ched m

oftly, as if sensing whe

perate," I

eways glance. "A

you s

between us like

k toward his lips. My h

at. Don't let her. Do

this

ook

t o

ed the moon. I took a step forward, slow a

hought they were pla

t

just