own, the silence of the Royal Wing became an unbearable pressure. I was accustomed to the rhythmic breathing of a hundred wolve

royal blue that somehow deepened the brown intensity of my eyes, but they felt like woven lead. The silver chain, the symbol of

ceiling. Below, the city of the Iron Citadel glittered, a terrifying sprawl

, I thought, pressing my forehead against the cool glass

iron and discipline that both reassured my primal wolf and screamed danger to my human mind. The Mate Bond, now officially acknowledged by the King's brut

ike a broken, expensive doll. They'd brushed my hair until my scalp was sore, massaged oil into the scars on my a

could host the entire Black Hills pack. A massive mahogany table was laden with food: r

tight knot of paranoia, but my body was weak. I sat at the head of

t. How do I kno

n. I cautiously broke off a tiny piece of bread, chewing it slowly, testing for any chemical bitterness. It

Esmeralda, and you can't eat a single

magnificent prison. I hated the King, but even more, I hated that he had stripped me of the quiet dignit

, heavy knock on the outer door. It wasn't the tentative

Chief of the Royal Guard. I am

y only momentary shield in the chaotic throne room. He was the most dangerous Lycan ou

urmured, my

t chamber. He was dressed in the dark, heavy uniform of the King's most trusted guard,

ay, bowed his head stiffly-a respectful gesture that fel

una's personal chambers," he stated, his voice a low, steady rumble, devoid of i

cold under my fingers. "You are my guard," I co

I'd faced all day. "My primary duty is to ensure the safety and survival of the True Luna, as comman

h in the canyons. He's tal

ers?" I asked, pushing the edge. "To see the gardens, perh

ectly impassive, but the answer was clea

g until the tactical deployment is finalized," he replied. "For your safety, Luna

I said, unable to stop the bitterness fr

loyalty is to the Crown, Luna. And currently, the Crown

nically my enemy, but he wasn't my friend, either. He was

sh room, the heavy curtains, the untouched food. "So this is it, then? This is the grand life o

still even, still professional. "Safety is a l

it. "Safety for the Kingdom, Commander. Not for the woma

t my back to him, deliberately exposing my vulnerability, seeing if he would fli

command you to leave this specific room,

ing for the technicali

ing. "As it is a command that does not compromise th

hadn't gained freedom; I had only

endless, cold lights of the Citadel. "Go stand

eated by his scent and the knowledge that he was just feet away, waiting. The gilded cage was set, and Commander Finn was its quiet, unmo