ogether fragments of rumors she had overheard in the marketplace-about a prince visiting the outs

to meet his eyes for too long. Her dirty face and torn clothes made her acutely aware of the vast divi

adable in the dim light. "I'm not concerned with where you

's struggles, the threats they faced, the betrayal she was tangled in-it was too much. Too dangerous to share with someone like him. And yet, the

voice barely a whisper. "I

ed, but his piercing gaze re

if he was waiting for her to say more. She clenched her fists, the cool breez

a sharp voice cut through t

guards rounding the corner, their torches blazi

reached out, his hand catching her wrist before she could take another step. His grip wa

d quietly, his voice lea

She had no idea what was happening, but something about the pr

stopped abruptly when they sa

uards exclaimed, eyes wide wi

ize," Prince Lucas interrupted, his ton

s, clearly torn between their orders

he guards stammered, "we

retenses," Lucas cut in sharply. "This woman is unde

ore quickly nodding and retreating, disappear

ce more. Renee stared at Lucas, her mind rac

inally asked, her voice trem

ing but still unreadable. "Because I don't believe in judging

ife, she had been dismissed, overlooked, and judged for how she looked-dirty, poor, from the slums. But in tha

nything-but before she could, he turned

over his shoulder. "This

ng Renee standing alone beneath the stone bridge, h