ommanded, his voice

"Her Majesty requests that her former mai

throne, where a pot of black Baccara roses stood. He reached out, his fingers brushing again

his own blood, mingling with the sweet scent of the rose. A smirk played on his lips. Th

to kill her," he said smoothly. "An

bowed befo

ed with delivering Cassie's request approach

ed the king's words. "His Majesty said that the mai

nd hurried off to

*

e at the door. Cassie answered, and th

inform you that your maidservant attempted

whispered, her mind refusing to accept the words. Then, loude

f up from the bed too quickly only to co

ie raised a trembling hand. "Don't!" she

efore bowing and quie

tening with grief and frustration. Tears streamed down her chee

lip hard enough to draw blood, but she didn't care. Instead, she lay there, defeated,

rred vision, her

out as a soft whisper, u

mson stain on her lips. A primal hunger stirred

he asked, his voi

her head, una

e cold floor and placed her back onto the bed. As he did, the scent of her blood filled h

tural shift in his eyes-the way they flickered

he whispere

t? Why do you look so scared?" His voice was smoot

d hard. "Nothin

kened slightly. "Why

g. "I'm tired of everything..." she

the room, his presence both imposing

her eyes at hi

lt of his head. "Why were you lying on the fl

g her lips with the back of her hand. When she saw the

ill staring at her his gaze s

ll standing ther

t a rich, hearty laugh, the sound

go?" Kael asked, his voice

d silent, refu

. "Who brought me here? The last thing I remember

you want to ask one

apped, frustration

ied with calm certainty, "I brought you here.

ce trembled, her breath hitching. Her lashes fluttered as if bli

ruth," Kael

cing. "But why?" she whispered, d

know," he admitted. "Bu

side her bed and sat dow

elf and forget about the past,"

met his gaze. "Kael... why

at his lips. "Do I ir

ust that you'

nting with amusement. "Oh?

urned serious. "And you should keep your distance. I'm marrie

elong glance before

he mused, his voice holding somet

w that I mean what I said," she s

s time his tone chilly. He took a gla

g Kael around would only add salt to the injury. What if Kael is the king's relative? sh

visit. Since she assumed he was old, perhap

the very least, she should know who the king-