miss me

art lurched. I turned, trembling, to find Kai standing t

smirk as he stepped closer, eac

y cheek. His fingers were cool at first, then warmed against my skin,

pered, but my

round my waist, pulling me flush against his tall fra

ts, twisting my body into a betrayer. My breath hitch

ds crumbled

his lips brushing against the

e heat pooling in my chest. I hated myself for responding to h

thought he would take me-Kai pulled away. His hand li

th unreadable intent. "When I touch you, i

flickering across my fac

how desperate he is to keep you to himself." He chuckled, the sound smooth but edge

ned. "Al

em. My voice trembled, but the question clawed its wa

amused sound that echoed in the room. He l

voring the words. "No, Mira. Y

or a moment. Four? My heart thudded painfully against

e. That bond-it's suppose

e, bound by what cannot be denied." His eyes flicked over me, sharp and

esence offended him. His gaze swept down the plain go

th an air of arrogance. "You will have new dresses, jewel

y chest. "Do you think a gown will make me... want yo

d's question. "When you stand adorned

ound of the door clicking shut behin

ched me, and shame burned hot in my veins. I had nearly surrendere

you forgotten? You are here for h

knuckles whitened. I must break this bond, I told myself. It is th

gain, and this ti

erfection. Her gown shimmered in the light, jeweled embroidery catchi

oldly, her tone drippi

"I..." My throat tightened. "I was sent

curl of her lip. "So you are the one.

ed. "Yes," I whi

or. "Listen to me carefully," she said, her voice low, venomou

ed. "I have n

ection, a little power, can change their fate. But you are nothing more than a womb

aller, weaker. "I don't want to take anything from

er perfume suffocating, her whisper sharp. "One

room without another word, leaving

trembling. My chest ached, tor

nd, strange and terrifying. Was that their tradition, to share one w

el the thought, the

laden with gowns, silks, and sparkling jewels. Witho

Their hands were rough, insistent, strippi

g bath. The water steamed, perfumed with oils, but the way they handled

as if I were an object, a vessel to be cleansed. I c

I had ever seen. Jewels were fastened around my neck, my wri

The Black King requires your prese

hudded pai

sed the open doorway. He paused, his

face strikingly similar to Kai's and Rowan's. His features

en it

searing, unbreakable t

ught. My hea

too