aps of her jumpsuit. The fabric felt soft and fit ju

e vanity. The bed behind her had a ske

oor o

. He paused and looked at her, his eyes scanning her jumps

shifted. "We le

im, crossing her

ev

eyebrow. "What

to her jumpsuit again. He nodded. "No need t

tightened. "

alked out, leaving the

– Entrance,

in the sun. Lena walked toward it, calm and

and slid into t

, and the door

. She knew tonight was part of the game. She would le

e of glass and gold, surrounded by desi

move. He just watched her. Lena stepped out,

vent – Aethe

e. The grand hall mixed modern luxury with old-world style

e entrance, her

always in control. He e

t before placing hers in his. It wa

ers followed them. "Who is she?" "Is s

lexei spoke. "Tonight, I

him. He didn't need to say much

ka is under m

n" was just another way of controlling her. Alexei

dn't show it. The room seemed to close

her face neutral, just like she had

o her, waiting

ped forward with confidence, and the cro

mall twitch of his fingers. He hadn't expected this

ew louder. She had claimed

"You should've asked me first," she whisper

used, the

ip on his hand. The crowd burst into app

Alexei's hand, her smile never faltering. As they stepped down from

arm ste

l," he

r free hand. She didn't open it or react, but

. Someone who wasn't