"Good morning, Hera," Ambrose says as I enter the dining room. He's sitting at his usual head table, looking over papers in front of plates of food. I sit beside him and help myself to breakfast. "Morning," I say. "I need to go the town today." He glances up. "Alright." "Alright? That's it?" I didn't expect a fight but am surprised by his trust in me. He shrugs, returning to his reading. "You don't think I'll try to escape? Make a run for it and never return?" I ask. I hadn't been planning on it, but the thought had crossed my mind once or twice. It would be easy to grab Althea and escape to the docks, leave town, and disappear."I think you're intrigued enough to stay," he says nonchalantly. Intrigued? I guess that was a good way to put it. That or I'm truly stupid. I scoff but don't say anything. I finish my breakfast in silence and stand. "I'll be off then," I tell him. "Do you need anything else?" he asks. "I'd like my daggers back, please." I watch him as
I'd never been to a hearing before, especially not at court. I usually stay away from politics. But I couldn't help the curiosity and excitement of seeing the king work. The great hall is filled with nobles and commoners alike. I know the basics of how this works: people bring their concerns or complaints to the king–he does what he can to help. I find a spot along the wall where I can see the throne but I'm tucked aside from the crowd. The room is packed and I'm content staying out of the way. There's a bang that silences everyone in an instant. "The king!" I hear someone announce. Ambrose strides in, looking regal as ever. He wears a long, red cloak and his crown sits tilted on his head. He has a serious expression on his face, but as he scans the room and catches my eye, he winks at me. I smile to myself. That man knows he's hot, and the confidence was doing something to me. Sebastian follows his brother, wearing similarly royal robes, but nothing as extravagant as
A knock at the door wakes me from a deep sleep. I shoot up and curse. Who was knocking at this hour? I throw on a long robe and walk over to the door, flinging it open. Prince Sebastian stands, in all his refreshed sexy glory, waiting. He smiles instantly, not missing a beat, as he averts his eyes. I'm all too aware of how much my robe doesn't cover. "I was wondering if I could escort you to breakfast," he says quietly. "I, uh," I'm too flustered to think. "Isn't it too early?"He looks at me. "It's already 9 a.m., my lady. I can come back later if you prefer?""No, no, give me a minute," I shut the door again and take a breath. It takes me a moment to dress on my own since there isn't time to summon my maid without keeping the prince waiting. I throw on a simple gown and lace my corset the best I can on my own. I brush my hair quickly, toss my head upside down and shake it. "That'll do," I say with a shrug as I stand upright again. When I open the door again, Sebasti
I spend the day in the garden, soaking up the sunlight and memorizing the list. Ambrose has laid out the names perfectly with their titles next to each name. His 'pack' and the nobles overlap, many of them supposed shifters. There are only a few nobles living at the palace that are human but they seem to be traveling through and not in the king's close circle. The ball tonight was specifically for them, and although the list didn't feel long, I knew there were at least 50 names on it. The ball would be small…intimate. It would make it easier to talk to people. Although, I had no doubt I was going to stand out like a sore thumb. Might as well embrace it. The gown I choose is blood red, making my hair and skin pop. I leave my hair down, cascading down my back in loose waves. As I make my way toward the king's study, I push down any creeping nervousness trying to break to the surface. I find him inside at his desk, the crown atop his head sitting at a tilt. He is dressed in royal
Before I can respond, he stands and announces, "Let's dance!" There is clapping at his proclamation as everyone stands and makes their way to the ballroom. Ambrose offers his hand and I take it. "I'll have the first," he says and I don't argue. We are the first on the floor, taking up the waltz as others file in. "Do you ever get used to people watching you?" I ask him. I can feel his hand at my waist, burning through my corset to my core. "Focus on me, Hera," he says, and I do. I focus on his steps, guiding me around the dance floor. I focus on my hand in his and the way he watches me like he's breathing in my every movement with bated breath. I don't understand why I'm feeling this way…this pull toward him is becoming difficult to ignore. The man I was ready to murder for money is now the man I'm working hard to protect. I'd kill for him just to let him keep looking at me like that. I forget we aren't the only ones in the room as I dive deeper into his gaze. I don't r
I collapse onto my bed with a thud. For the first time in a while, I feel in over my head. The palace life was proving harder to navigate than I expected. Not to mention, I had both the king and prince determined to make me sweat three times a day. I miss Althea. What I need is someone to talk about everything with. Someone to process what was going on since I was struggling to stay focused. The threat of failure looms over my head making it difficult to fall asleep. Until then, I hadn't considered what happens if I fail to discover whose behind Ambrose's attempted assassination. If they succeed with a second try, what happens to me? Saving the king isn't just about him, it's my survival too. I had to fight for Althea. It's always been the two of us against the world. I don't want to think what'd happen to her if I wasn't around.I sit up with a frustrated huff. I walk over to my desk, pulling a quill and paper out. I begin to write: Thea, I have a request to ask. I've bee
I wake up having barely slept. Once my reality sank in, my mind couldn't stop spinning. Ambrose was right, I had a million questions, and I couldn't wait to ask them. I shoot out of bed, the maid already in my room and drawing a bath. I hop in quickly, scrubbing the night from my skin. I let her dress me and tie up my hair before I head toward the breakfast hall. I can't help my excitement. I feel like an idiot for not believing him but he's something incredible I've never seen before. It's hard to believe that the rumors are true, but people don't know the half of it. Ambrose is sitting in his usual spot, eating his breakfast absently as I come in. "Morning," I say, taking my seat beside him. He grins at me. "You're feeling better?" "So is your thing," I say gesturing to him. "Is it like a full moon thing? You can only shift under the full moon?" Ambrose laughs and the sound lifts my heart higher. "No. I can shift whenever I choose. The need to shift is stronger with the
We slow our horses to a trot as Ambrose leads us into the woods and down into the valley. There is a lake in the center where the land dips. I follow him to the lakeside where he dismounts. "I've never been here," I say. Although, I wasn't one for sightseeing. "Secret spot," he tells me. He walks over and helps me down. I land in front of him, his hands on my waist. Somehow, I'm even more attracted to him now. Maybe it was seeing him shirtless last night. He packs quite the appeal. I clear my throat, breaking the trance. He steps back with a smirk. He retrieves blankets from his saddlebag and lays them out by the water. I sit beside him, soaking in the view. "You're so unaffected by this threat," I say, staring out into the vast, open space ahead. "Is it because you're a shifter? You aren't afraid?" Ambrose shrugs. "We've fought humans in the past and won. Whoever is behind this plot isn't smart enough to send a shifter assassin, which makes me think they don't know the t