ri

ircase, staring down at the sea of d

they ca

lebr

inked like a warning bell, e

od a man I didn't recognize

Pet

bric of his tailored suit. His hair was dark, cut close to his head, and when he lau

Calc

ger

or a heartbeat, our gazes

sp

da

mise

marble with every step. The room quieted. Not entirely - the murmurs simply dipped

s follo

Let

between clusters of guests, I c

l - didn't thin

ing. To

her. One way

a beast that needed breaking. It would make it

th Luca and two men I didn't know. Guards. W

ar

shoul

my eye and beck

ice smooth as silk. "C

is presence rolled over me - not clumsy or overbear

the effect

ing on your defin

jaw dusted with the faintest hint of stubble. His mouth w

s that stole the b

el-

l

rgiv

had seen blood spill

the back of it - a mocking parody of courtesy. His lips barely bru

ent thick, the syllables dragging slow

of everyone. His lips twitched - not quite a smile, more a

nces," I sa

sound that raised the hair

t only he would hear. "For

t the amusement didn't leave his

nge ac

hroat, pulling the room

ow din of conversation. "Tonight, we announce the joining

ser, the scent of ant

a heavy hand on my shoulder, "and Ivan Petrov will

se was pol

didn't smile. I

close enough that I could fee

s arm, an uns

ed at me to refuse. To set the whole damned vi

d before my eyes - wide

crook of Ivan's arm, t

for the

he shell of my ear. "Smile, printses

mil

hat promised broken bone

and before I could escape, Ivan

ck, firm and sure. His other hand caught mi

d for exactly

tly, forcing him to adjust o

ted. Eff

something dangerous

urmured, spinning me effortlessly

at him with dead eyes. "E

d low and dark, vibra

e a silken threat, "do you plan to k

head, cons

htly. "How annoying a

as razor-sh

- a laugh escaped,

ld narrowed to the hard plane of his chest

t so easy to get ri

I," I whis

nded. The

e two duellists stepping

lking off the dance flo

him the s

ross the hall before a fami

ss

eaking wine she wasn't supposed to have. She

ncing over her shoulder like she expec

y hands. She was still so young. Stil

said, keeping m

on't even

how this wor

. "I don't want

to hers. "I'm not goin

li

ray

use

from across the room, his gaze sharp as a blade. Luc

ade my father's mouth

ou

tened my

o

them

em all

ackled a lamb, he was about to

the tim

sure he b