LOGINDarius pov "She poisoned your sister to make her look weak." Kaelen threw the assassin into a chair harder this time. "To give Damon ammunition for his Council review. To prove Beatrice isn't fit to lead.""Where's Selene now?" I asked, anger burning in my chest."Fled." Kaelen spit the word, his jaw tight. "Took off the moment the assassin was caught. She's probably halfway to the Western Territories by now.""Send trackers." Theron ordered, his voice cold. "I want her found. I want her brought back here. And I want her to face justice for this.""Already done." Kaelen smiled. It was cold, showing no warmth. "Ghost is hunting, she won't get far."The assassin laughed, the sound echoing off the walls. "You think catching Selene will stop this? She's just one piece. The whole west is turning against you. Against her." She pointed at Beatrice with a shaking finger. "Your princess is a fraud and everyone will see it.""Get her out of here." Theron gestured to the guards waiting by the
Darius POVI was talking to Alpha Brennan when my instincts screamed. Something was wrong.I turned, scanned the crowd. Found Beatrice by the refreshment table, her green dress bright against the darker crowd. A server was handing her a goblet with a green label. The special vintage.But the server's movements were off, too careful. Their hands didn't shake like a nervous servant's should. And their scent, masked with something artificial."Excuse me." I cut off Brennan mid-sentence, already moving. Started pushing toward Beatrice through clusters of guests.She lifted the goblet to her lips, the crystal catching candlelight."No!" I shouted and broke into a run, shoving people aside. People turned, some stared as the server looked at me, eyes widening. And ran.I tackled him before he made it three steps and slammed him to the ground, marble cold and hard under my knees. The goblet flew from Beatrice's hand. Shattered on the floor, the pieces skittering."What are you doing?" Beatric
Beatrice pov "Promise?""I promise." He spun me again, my dress swirling around my legs. "I'm going to do a lot more than kiss you."Heat flooded through me, pooling low in my stomach. "Darius.""What?" His smile was wicked. "I'm just stating my intentions.""You're being impossible.""I'm being honest." He pulled me closer. Close enough that I could feel his heartbeat, fast and hard against my chest. "I've been thinking about tonight for weeks. About finally having you all to myself, no interruptions. No brothers. Just us.""Keep talking like that and I'll drag you out of here right now.""Don't tempt me." His hand slid lower on my back, fingers pressing into my gown. "I'm barely holding on as it is."The song ended, another began. Faster this time. Violins racing, drums pounding. Darius guided me through the steps. More confident now, my feet finding the rhythm. I was laughing and actually enjoying myself. The chandelier lights blurred as we spun."You're magnificent," he said, sli
Beatrice POV I stared at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman looking back. The gown was stunning, a deep emerald silk that hugged my curves before flowing to the floor. The fabric was cool against my skin, sliding up when I moved. Silver embroidery traced patterns along the bodice as my mother's moonstone necklace rested on my throat. The stone was warm, pulsing faintly against my collarbone like it had a heartbeat of its own. My hair was swept up. Corin had helped with small braids woven through loose curls that cascaded down my back. A few loose strands brushed my bare shoulders. I looked like a queen. "You're beautiful," Luna whispered in my mind. "Finally seeing what we've always known." "Stop." I touched the necklace, feeling the smooth surface under my fingertips. "You'll make me cry and ruin the makeup." A knock at the door interrupted me as Theron entered and stopped. "Beatrice." He stared. "You look exactly like Mother did at her ball." "Is that good?"
Silas Pov "Hidden in my room." Anna's shoulders slumped. "In a false bottom drawer, I haven't touched it since it arrived." "Get it," I told Darius. "Have healers analyze it, I want to know exactly what we're dealing with." Darius left as Kaelen stayed, watching Anna like a predator. "What happens to me now?" Anna asked quietly. "That depends." I pulled out a chair as I sat down. "On how much you're willing to help us." "Help you how?" "Selene thinks you're still loyal, that you'll go through with the plan." I leaned forward. "We're going to let her keep thinking that." "You want me to be a double agent?" Anna looked shocked. "She'll kill me if she finds out." "She'll kill you if you don't cooperate with us." Kaelen's voice was flat. "At least this way you have a chance." "And my sister?" "We'll get her out." I pulled out paper and pen. "But you need to give us everything, including contact, message. Every detail of Selene's network starting now." Anna hesitated then nod
Silas POVThe trap was simple, maybe too simple.I'd spread word through the staff that Mary had been found. That she was being held in the west dungeon. That she'd confessed everything.All lies but the traitor didn't know that. Now I waited in the shadows near the dungeon entrance. Kaelen was positioned on the roof while Darius was inside with three guards, Theron and Corin were with Beatrice in her room.If someone tried to silence Mary, we'd catch them. Two hours passed by but nothing.Then I heard soft footsteps. Like someone trying not to be noticed. I pressed back into the shadows as I watched. A figure in a cloak approached the dungeon door, looked around. Then knocked three times. Paused. Two more times.The signal from the letters. The door opened as Darius's voice called out. "Who's there?""I have a message for the prisoner," the cloaked figure said. A woman's voice, familiar but I couldn't place it."From who?""The kitchen mistress, she wants to know if Mary needs anyth







