A'S

d as your Mate?" I asked, still in the library. T

dow. "My father, the King, was insistent. And my... condition... m

d procured from a hedge seer-a prophecy claiming a daughter of Thorne

lt Seraphina's future on a lie and expected yo

awn. He has not forgiven what happened, but he refuses to let one night's s

ped he could contain the damage and preserv

ustody and confined to the Queen's wing instead. She may attend the garden party this afternoon only under

arty is part of

as a show of stability. I intend it as an opportunity for t

well," I said. "It is time the court saw t

predatory smile. "My thoughts e

yal gardens. I was in a gown of pale ice-blue that he chose for me

Beside her, Seraphina stood stiffly between two of the Queen's attendants, with roy

ack, a possessive, public gesture. "Smile, my

waist, warm and certain through the silk, his thumb occasionally stroking the bare sliv

ose, his eyes constantly seeking mine. It was torture for Sera

up. "Mother," I said, my voice sweet a

mouth opening and closing like a

lieve congratulations are in order. The Moon Goddess has finall

ed sound. "He's mine!

. "And the Goddess's will is clearer than any hedge seer's rambli

was trapped. She couldn't accuse us without revealing her own treacher

onto the grass. Lady Beatrice s

ed. It was so

e scene with detached amus

ince's new Mate caused the old one to faint

nted," he replied, his thumb

r's panicked, hate-filled gaze. She knew she'd been ou

ell done, my Mate," he whispered. His lips brushed my temple,

ose enough that my cheek grazed his jaw. "Careful, Your H

pulling me a little closer. "I d

ed to be a performance. Yet in that moment, with his mouth near my skin a