my very first clue that every

impossibly deep, soft enough

arved with stylized dragons whose trailing tai

dles that burned with a soft, heatless flame, casting long, calm shadows acros

ead. I didn't even

ht me one rule above all others: when you wake up in an unfamiliar room, you pretend

ick mental

from the violent drop through reality. My clothes were still on; my worn leather ja

ex

gh up the wall. At least thirty feet off the floor. No le

thick iron bands. Outside those doors, heavy footsteps echoed against stone at pr

of nervousness; they w

d-leafed cage designed to keep a prisoner co

, calculated voice sai

ver the edge of the high mattress. My boots hi

l, dressed in a simple grey dress with white cuffs and an apron,

e shape of a coiled serpent and a tall

a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You ha

my hand resting flat against my thigh, re

owntown: never accept a glass

Lady. Where am I?

posture was relaxed, a warmth that felt like invisibility; the kind of posture wo

y, folding her hands over her apron. "I am Mirelle. I have been as

dull concussion throbbed behind my eyes. "You mean the room full

said gently. "It is not every day a human falls through the veil directl

white hair hung loose around my shoulders. The look was calm, but

he asked casually. "Your mother... did

er died three years ago. What does

bow. "It is only that rare features often carry history in the Beast Realm. Di

binet," I snapped, setting my feet firmly on the floor. "Did she wear

eyes flickering with a faint, i

cold," I said, watching her face closely. "The damn thing flared with hea

n remained placid, a mask of domestic concern. "An heirloom, no doubt. The h

ing dangerously before settling back into place. "I care about getting back to my life. I have a district attor

r world, Zenaida," Mirelle said quietly. "And returning

y n

r, conspiratorial tone. "A world bound by ancient blood and separated from yours by collapsing borders.

rk council chamber came rushing back. The heat of his chest

nto a monster

rrected gently. "Or he was,

r the edge of the

dark, decaying magic was bound to the King. It eats away at his humanity, day by day, year by year

eginning to hammer against my ribs. "I don't belong here. I don

room. "Skin to skin. In front of the Crown Council, his dragon claimed you as his mate. A human

her words cutting through the

you as an anomaly. A poison sent by whoever cursed him ten years a

nt dry. "A v

he mate bond takes full hold and binds the K

d over my skin. "Purge

answer, but before a single

hrown open with