d barel

been stone. The weight of everything that had happened-the auction, Ammar's cruel display of power

d that in this cursed place, arriv

gnore

llowed by the sound of

unreadable. "You don't have the luxury

move. "And

could react. In an instant, she was at the b

ut Celeste's grip was like iron. "You don't w

wrenching her arm fre

lothes folded neatly on a chair. "Ch

ld only bring more pain. With gritted teeth, she grabbed the

orn, though simple-a dark dress that fit snugly,

meone in the prince's f

d. "I'm not i

k but said nothing as she led

ith ancient paintings and tall, arched windows that let in no sunl

her surroundings before she wa

nate table, his piercing gaze

he or

y, she approached the seat

almost dizzying. Fruits she had never seen before, roasted meats, golden

from a crystal decanter. "Eat

er arms. "I'm

brow. "You w

d silent, h

ying her. "Do you know

using to look away. "B

hose you, not just because I could, but because

th the table. "I don't care what you

ing the liquid in hi

nt in his eyes that sent

d. "You might as well eat.

r w

his drink before setting

uickened. "Tra

ened. "To lear

she abruptly stood. "I know my place, a

mmar was no l

r, his cool breath against her ear. "You

r throat, not tight enough to chok

he co

e pressed her back into the chair. She tri

ith mocking amusement. "You will learn, little one.

im, hatred burni

said n

in Sub

leste led Zita to an undergro

egant weapon racks. The space was eerily silent exc

d. "What is

ng ground,"

r w

could answer,

t the untouchable ruler he was. His golden eyes fl

rules of this world," he s

ned. "And i

ed slightly. "The

impossibly fast, closing the di

ch before he gripped her wri

. Weak. Your kind exists at our mercy. And yet..." His fingers

re def

breath

bey," Ammar continued, "or

d, but she refus

g to you," she said

her defiance only en

see how lon