a P

ell chimed

ding up slowly. "I'm curious. What

on cue, and she dabbed at t

see," she sniffled softly. "My brother was his closest friend. He died savi

er orphaned life and Gideon

ealer's instincts read

r throat was entirely calm. When true grief strikes, the

y-sweet scent wafted from her clothes, maste

orpsebloom Pollen--a rare, lethal toxin known on

ed the conversation toward G

urmured, the faintest curl at the corner o

unforgiving climate of this castl

ic backstory, the veiled threats,

s viper playing house. She had murdered those women

rning fiercely proprietary. "He's just been through so much

ion that she was the mistress of this dom

sliver of my awakened draco

idn't reach my eyes. "You must have had you

t her skin. "But from now on, looking after the Lord is my responsibilit

of raw, ugly jealousy sparked in her wide blue eyes before she could

avy footsteps echoed on the stone path. Kael, Gide

ur confinement lifted. You are free to move about the ma

" I murmured, my smile sharpen

lefield had shifted to

claimed the seat at the far end of the table, directly opposite Gideon's

silently around us,

hared history with Gideon, picking up

brazenly dropping my title to put me in

d my mouth with my napkin and turned t

weight of a true sovereign. "I have a few questio

, surprised but respectf

ly, "who, besides the Lord and his lawful Lady, i

and paused

he high table are reserved exclusively for the Lord and his la

laws of our blood, how should the family of

'Lady Carlisle,' as a sign of absolute re

ntion to Audrey. "Miss Burns, you are sittin

hall went d

hrown a tantrum. But she was a far more

eyes instantly filled with tears that spilled over her thick lashes.

e bit hard on her trembling lower lip, looking the very picture of a terrified, fragil

r head bowed in deep submission. "Let me se

aming silver teapot, feigning such violent tremors in

tea splashed directly ov

on her hand instantly turned a violent, blist

ey cried softly, clutching

itiful smile my way. "It doesn't hurt... Please don't be

re room

rd gasped in horror, rushing

es pale with panic. As they carefully wrapped Audrey's blistered ha

door--every single one of them looked at m

sweet, grieving sister of a fallen hero, and I was the vicious

ftly into the steward's shoulder. Over the old

weeping victim vanished. Her lip

ainst me, walling herself behind their sympathy while leaving me complet

ntercepted me in

s. The terrified girl was gone, replaced by a

murmured, her voice s

e of the castle grounds. There is a cliff there with the most

uards. Just t

on to my own murde

amber eyes glowing in the dim light. Let th