oth dismissed and marked at once. She forced herself to breathe, though every br

words echoed in her mind: "Tonight...

displayed only when he allowed? The rumors had been so numerous, so thick with dread, tha

ll pounding, her thoughts racing with everything sh

, her expression concerned. "Are you all right

"I don't know. I've never felt..." She struggled for words, her

re so many rumors about the king. And I know he's...

's eyes. But how could she cling to hope when Damon had

ved it herself. "But whatever kindness he may have

gently. "I know you're afraid, Carolin

, tied to a man who seemed as ruthless as he was powerful. "What if... what if I try to

ine, don't even think about it. He'd find you. He

r he wouldn't take kindly to disobedience. But a part of her still clung to the idea of e

ump. Caroline's heart lurched as the door swung open, and a tall, stern-faced

aroline," he announced, his tone formal

. She followed the guard down winding corridors, each step heightening her sense of foreboding. Eventually

houetted against the dim light of the moon. He didn't turn when she enter

ly said, his voice

him to speak. When he finally turned to face her, his eyes were darker t

egan, his tone cold but controlled. "I assume your f

ng to provoke him-at least, she didn't think so. But Damon was watching he

tly, carefully choosing her words. "I only.

each step deliberate. "What I expect is loyalty," he said, his voice a low murmur that seemed to

presence overwhelming. She had never felt so trapp

voice faltered as he reached out, his

gh his gaze remained fierce. "Do you understand the importance of what's

spite the fear twisting inside her. "Yo

hat held no warmth. "No, you don't. But y

hat she wanted to escape more than anything. But as his hand lingered near her face, his touch both

nued, his voice as smooth as silk. "I ca

s words, to focus on the steady rise and fall of

testing that, Caroline. I don't tolerate defiance. You'll find

ve him the satisfaction of seeing her fear. "I'll remember that, Your Majesty," she re

ck, his intense gaze never wavering. "Goo

his eyes on her as she turned to leave, his presence lingering even after she stepped out

power he held over her. She knew that any attempt to flee wou

waiting, her eyes searching C

ely containing her curio

r shoulders tense. "To remind me," she

s hand. "Caroline, maybe... maybe it's best if you try to ma

ice barely a whisper. "I can't just accep

n her eyes. "Just... be careful," she said

oughts of escape, of freedom. She knew it was a risk, but s

st night of freedom. And if there was any way to slip away from this lif