an's

The morning sun had barely cleared the eastern towers, yet the palace was already awake. Servants moved betwee

thing fel

ng to my chambers. The faint white spark that had jumped from

garden path that wound

Wasn't she supp

ought her. The silver thread caught the light. Her long dark hair moved with the breeze. Kylan pointed at a flow

table. Too comfortabl

bloom. Elara smiled up at him, her hand

it ha

e. She stumbled forward with a small ga

a split second they stood frozen like that - his arm around her, her hands on his chest, their

are hot in my chest. W

ank. Unconcerned. A king did not show weakness over a girl he had not yet decided to keep.

for too long, the beast growled a

ow." I instructed

ounded at

nt

his usual easy smile in place. He car

s returned from the northern ridg

lm and even. "I saw you

took her for a short walk after she finish

slowly, keeping my tone neu

th Dana. Dana was... less welcoming. She told Elara she asked too many questions a

seem to have a lot of time on your han

ed to make her feel welcome, my king. She is still

you for the diplomacy visit to the northern pa

Though I believe my place is here serving you and ensurin

eath a mask of boredom. "Fine. Stay. But keep you

wed. "Un

l

the path, one hand resting on the stone wall for balance.

de me stirred

e mate bond. And maybe I never will. Lo

hands on her waist, their eyes locked - made some

at the Moon Goddess

ith a