I closed my eyes, but it didn’t stop my heart and soul from recognizing the truth of his words. He loved me. I was his—
A rush of cold rage came from nowhere, throbbing deep within me and stoking my hunger. The pang was so intense it sent a wave of dizziness through me, filling my ears with a low buzz. Fearing I might actually pass out or vomit, I closed my eyes.
“Penellaphe.”
Air leaked out of my lungs at that cold voice threaded with scorn. My fingers brushed the slightly indented, uneven skin of my left cheek.
Such a shame.
Bile crept up my throat as I opened my eyes. My heart immediately sped up as I saw the man. It was like something had unlocked the part of my mind that held unwanted memories, because I recognized the pale, ivory skin, the fair hair, and the black, bottomless eyes. I remembered everything abouthim.
The Duke of Masadonia.
Duke Teerman.
THE PRIMAL
No.
No, this couldn’t be real.
I couldn’t breathe as I closed my eyes again, giving my head a quick, frantic shake. He was dead. I could see him clearly, his broken body strung up and impaled to the wall by his favorite cane.
A low, flat chuckle snapped my eyes open. His bloodless lips curled into a smirk as those soulless eyes swept over me. Revulsion crawled across my skin like a thousand spiders.
A hint of too-sharp canines dragged across his lower lip. “I’ve always preferred you in white.”
Glancing down at myself, my entire being turned cold. The sleeping gown was white. But that didn’t make sense. It had been blue, hadn’t it?
“Though I think we can agree that you’re no longer as pristine and untouched as the color of the Chosen suggests,” he remarked. “Then again, when were you ever truly…untouched?”
Pressure clamped down on my chest as I realized the walls were no longer gold and cream but had darkened to mahogany paneling. I could feeltheirstares, the pestilence oftheiroverly friendly hands, and the cold, smooth surface of the cane against my skin.
His head tilted, sending a lock of pale hair across his forehead. “You have been very, very ill-behaved, Penellaphe. You know what that means.”
Of course, I did.
Punishment.
Lessonsthat may not have scarred my skin buthadstained my soul, leaving me with the sticky residue of shame that choked me and held me frozen.
“Now, be a good girl.” Teerman reached for me.
I stared at the hand missing a finger, adorned with a golden swirl.
Neither of those two things made sense. Teerman had no such imprint. I glanced up, and my lips parted. The Duke was no longer there.
Hestood only a handful of feet from me. Gone was the pallid skin, replaced by warm, golden-bronze flesh.
I stumbled back and bumped into a chair. Another spasm ran through me as I noticed cream-and-gold walls. Weren’t they just…? I pressed the heel of my hand against my forehead. A whirlwind of confusion engulfed me, leaving my thoughts tangled as I saw the golden trim and sandstone walls.
I…I didn’t understand.
“Everything will be okay.” Concern filled every striking line of his features. I couldn’t keep looking at him, seeing that in his face. It hurt. “I’m going to help you,” he assured.
Don’t trust his words, instinct warned.Look at him. Really look at him.
I did, and horror seized me because, despite how genuine his worry had sounded seconds ago, Teerman stood at the foot of the settee.
