a's

, the dining hall smelled of roa

ach turn. Eating whatever the

of the table, his gol

mien, their faces unreadable, but Rowan-seat

late away. "I'

fingers on the ta

I met his ga

impending storm, the tensi

haled deeply. "Refusing to eat doesn't pro

t? So I can be your obedient little breeder? S

feast, the brilliant chand

expect me to play hou

in his hand and smirked. "Not

ur grand table and dressing me in fine clothes

is expression unmoving. "Whether y

ched. "You wil

floor as he stood. In an instant, h

sealed your fate. There is

y and pushed back my chair

len

d glances, their smirks vanishing. But Rowan-he remain

ing more than a tool to you, then end it now. Because

en eyes unreadable. Then, withou

No

as he turned back

I rep

oftly. "She's got

"She'll brea

look. "Care to

before he could respond,

ainfully, but firm enough

Touch me again, and I'll

Rowan's chest. "You're p

, my voice stead

r a long moment befo

strode out of the dining hall, but I refus

nted sub

would

ly silent. Each step echoed against the stone walls, my pulse

r-and nearly coll

Just wha

golden hair cascading in perfect w

ing out of dinner like a spoiled chi

"Do you actually wa

ed-just for a sec

ing my head. "Watching your kings entert

ardened. "You thi

k you're

re nothing. A tool. A means to an end. And when they're done

ering my voice. "Then

ody st

. Rowan's temper snapping. Lucian watching me like a puzzl

"He wants to save

with fury. "You think

realize how much

r lips. "You're go

ed. "Get

past her, but I felt the weigh

er stew in h

wasn't

ouldn't l

Perso

rridors, Serene stormed into the s

ave given Mir

n had no idea who s

he came face-to-face with a shadow

through my gras

ckled. "Your ho

ts. "They're turning aga

r smile curled t

me we remind them wh

uickened. "What a

re whispered against

ll h

inhaled

pau

irk to be precise. One could mi

nnounced and turned around, disap