s elbow. The grand hall glowed under the brilliance of ornate crystal chandeliers, their golden light reflecting against towering gla

replaced by murmurs. Curious eyes swive

not out of politeness but out of

ll was no ord

smantled adversaries with precision,

Seraphina sto

kepticism, silent evaluati

but she kept her d

dured judg

s nothi

there was a

just bein

under

t impressions weren't just cru

-

eclar

balancing a tray with two flutes of champagn

one and extended

d, his tone quiet, his brea

posture poised. A calculated expression settled over her features-one

room fel

-tailored ensemble strode onto the ra

the vast space. "Tonight, we gather to honor the engagement of Velmoria's most fo

esponded with

tra

h it, she

poken q

rmured

was

d she co

rtantly-what

his gaze locking onto he

llowing a subtle, knowing

djust. D

l shoulder, fingers resting against t

murmured, a hint of defiance

curved in the

sitation, he t

ed her lip

-

hat Stunne

sn't

sn't

te. Unyielding.

er waist, his touch featherlight against the exposed skin beneath t

nded first-him or her-**but for an i

e blurred i

s vanished

his re

t to be a m

ly staged

ious heart poun

ulled back, his face wa

e more, but beneath the applause, a

ured breath, willing

how her lips

oice nothing more than a

o adjust

g a smirk. "You'll learn I'm

ething shifted in his gaze

l-rehearsed role, he turned away, his e

was far

learn just how merciless

-

tors of H

ly choreographed dance of manipulation

n who defined success by the empires they built, women who w

dded when expected. Spoke onl

curiosity simmering ju

was

d she co

ong before she crumbled in

he spot

Ren

lue eyes, her very presence radi

he way her gaze lingered a

d lips curved in a near-imperce

h

eryone was

a composed sip, meeting Isla's steely stare

e game

most untouchable bachelor," Isla remarked, swirling her cham

owing smile. "Capture? That'

la's lips. "I suppose we'

t at all hung between them

m lightly against the curve of Seraphina'

to overlook," he said, hi

-not just at his words, but at t

-

et Re

night air brush against her skin, soothing and cool. She drew in a deep brea

and

ht," he murmured, coming to stan

e railing. "Your world feels like a m

lightly. "Not an ina

s face. "Isla Renwick. She was on

, though he held her g

d n

ath, his expression shadow

wned. "A remi

f deciding how muc

hers. "Of what happens to pe

ippled th

n unspoken warning, wrapped in th

wondered what she had tr

ad just become far more perilo

-