phin

and a furious roar from

Isabelle's theatrical sobs, Valerius's guttural curses. He

se subsided. A h

word from Valerius, his v

pe

ward. Light flooded the vault, and I had

sabelle was a few steps behind him, supported by a

nd moved past him as if he were not

ng my arm. His grip was l

won, Seraphina. Give the Silverbloom to Isabelle and give me the antidot

s furious blue eyes wit

my lips, a smile that

belle's 'heart condition' is a secret known only to you? W

, his grip falt

s never acted up before, but conveniently manifests

r wondered how an Omega with a heart so 'fragile' it requires a legendary herb has t

n of his belief. I saw it in his eyes-the dawning hor

rm vanished. His han

nder his piercing gaze, she began to tremble unco

pure agony. He, a prince, had been played for

Only a cold, h

ed a small crystal vial fill

I said, holding it up.

with the desperation of a drowning man. His pride, his anger at

the light catch it. "I've cha

w tigh

ritual we started. Not just a verbal rejection. I want the ritual circle. I want o

rcle was absolute, a spiritual severing that was recorded by the Goddess. It

was already directing the loading o

his life on a scale, and

pathetic, weeping figure of Isabelle. Whatever warmth he'd eve

d pawn. He had

h. "Prepare the circle," he bit

d, drawing a complex circle of shimm

uch cold and stiff, and pulled m

murderous rage rolling off him. He wanted

All I wanted