It was a gift bestowed upon his ancestors hundreds of years ago by the Faceless Goddess, or so the story goes. She offered it as a means to right the balance between humans and direwolves back when the wolves still hunted us like cattle.
King Cyril’s gaze sweeps down to the field, taking us in. For a moment, it settles on Anassa, then shifts to me, narrowing sharply.
With a start, I realize the other Rawbonds are bowing. Even the wolves have lowered their heads—all except Anassa, who stares up at the king with unblinking intensity.
Shit. I bow hurriedly.
Then the herald speaks again. “Presenting His Royal Highness Killian Valtiere, Crown Prince of Nocturna!”
Everyone straightens as one and a ripple of excited whispers starts up around me. The king’s heir, Prince Killian, is rarely seen in public. The little that I know about him, I’ve gleaned from rumors over the years: he’s in his late twenties, rumored to be extremely handsome, and is unwed.
“Here he comes,” breathes a woman to my left. Clearly, the Rawbonds around me are hoping that the prince will also pick a companion from among them.
“Whoa,” Izabel hisses behind me. “He’s actually here!”
“He’s gorgeous!” says yet another.
Irritated by their fawning admiration, I lift my gaze again to the royal procession. Another pair of guards. More servants. And finally, the prince, a tall masculine figure dressed simply in gold and white.
Wait.
I blink. Shake my head. Look again.
No.
A strange ringing fills my ears, deafening me to all but the raw thud of my heartbeat.
That handsome face, with its sharp jawline and knowing blue eyes. The sleek blonde hair. The broad shoulders.
My thoughts shudder and tumble, shattering into meaningless shards that cut me to the bone.
Itcan’tbe him.
But it is.
I would know that man at any distance, in any dress.
We shared promises. Secrets. Dreams I never believed I would get to live.
Crown Prince Killian descends to the balcony while I stand there frozen, my whole world crumbling around me. And then, seated at his father’s side, he lifts his head and looks right at me, dark blue eyes filled with regret.
My heart cracks.
Lee.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The arena tilts and spirals around me until I have to look away from the prince. Have to shut my eyes and focus on forcing my lungs to take even one damned breath.I’m sick, my heart pounding too fast.
Thoughts stream by, rapid-fire.
It’s not real, it’s not real.
I’m crazy like my mother. I’m hallucinating.
Lee would never do this to me.
But it’s no use. I know this isn’t madness. It’s no hallucination.
