ra'

chambers," Th

sured tone, "And you will remain here

landed l

ay animal he had dragged home? After everything I had already survived - the r

o

rius's rejected toy, as everyone's underdog. That version of me died in the Shado

tter in my veins, s

left without another word. The door closed behind him

wash and change despite the pain in my leg. While she worked, my mind raced. I remembered the beast tearing the rogues apart, the beast shi

ked... different. Healthier. My skin had a faint

les. The maid set the dinner tray beside the bed and left. I stared at t

the tra

the meal, but I

aid tried speaking but

ly raised. The maid bowed slightly and left with the tray of food. I instantly felt sorry for snapp

the door o

stepped

as now dry and his expression darker. The ma

bed, arms crossed. "The maid

was low

chin. "Why

d flatly. "The beast brought you back.

"You saved my life, but that does

smoke, raw power. The new bond tugged at my chest like an invisible

ate

emembered the warmth

mply. "And you will remain here un

od leg over the edge of the bed and stood, gripping the bedpost for ba

ur prisoner,

irst time I saw a flicker of someth

voice low. "If you want to starve yourself, be my guest. But until you are completely healed

sounded ridiculous coming from a king. But

s ser

s, and I feel heat low in my belly. He notices my reaction and his eyes darken for h

e, I reach out instinctively to stop him, fingers brus

his, a tiny spark of soft w

But it lit up the space betwee

ing f

re the light had touched him. The spark f

yes lifted s

" he asked, voice

no a

had come

up, I felt something ancient and f