LOGINHenry's POVThe auction master adjusted his spectacles and read the card in his hand with the careful theatricality of a man who knew exactly what he was selling."Lot number forty-seven, listed under the name Crimson. Female, early twenties, in excellent physical condition. Starting bid, five million dollars."Five million. For a human being locked in a glass cage with a blindfold over her eyes. I felt my wolf curl back against my spine in disgust, and I had to clench my jaw to keep the growl from reaching my throat. Around the room, buyers leaned forward in their seats. A few murmured to their companions. One man in the third row raised his paddle without hesitation."Five million from the gentleman in row three. Do I hear five and a half?"Another paddle, then another. The bids climbed in steady increments, each one landing in my chest with the dull weight of something obscene. These men were bidding on Beatrice the way they'd bid on a painting or a piece of land, and the casualnes
Henry's POVBy midnight, I knew something was wrong.Beatrice had a routine, even on bad days. Even after fights with Neah or encounters with Cedrick that left her shaken, she always came back to her quarters before the last lanterns were dimmed. Judy always checked on her, the guards always logged her passing through the east gate, and there was a rhythm to it all that was predictable enough that any break stood out immediately.Tonight there was no log and no sighting. Judy came to me at half past eleven with fear already settling into her face, and I told her to wait while I checked the usual places. I checked them all and found nothing. Her scent trail ended abruptly on the east wing path, cut off as if she'd simply stopped existing mid-step. I went to Cedrick's study, where I found him reading by lamplight. When I told him Beatrice hadn't returned, he didn't look up from the page. His face stayed exactly as it was, composed and disinterested, as though I were reporting a dela
Beatrice's POVMartin was waiting outside."I caught the end of your performance," he said. "Through the window. I hope you don't mind."I shook my head. I didn't have the energy to mind anything right now. My throat still held the ghost of Cedrick's grip, and my face felt tight where the tears had dried."You were wonderful," Martin said. Simple. No elaboration. He fell into step beside me as I walked, matching my pace without asking where I was going. After a moment, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small wooden box."For you," he said. "I saw it in the market last week and thought of you."I took it. The box was carved with a pattern of vines along the lid — not expensive, but careful. Handmade. Inside, resting on a fold of cloth, was a hair comb. Bone-white, shaped like a crescent moon, with tiny flowers etched along the spine."Martin, you don't have to keep —""I know I don't have to." He smiled. "I wanted to. That's all."I closed the box. Held it in both hands. The we
Beatrice's POV"Your brother deserved what he got," she said, turning back with that sharp little smile still on her face. "A rapist rotting in a cell. Fitting, really. The only surprise is they haven't executed him yet."I snapped.One second I was standing there with water in my hand, and the next I had Neah by the collar of her dress and was dragging her sideways across the rehearsal hall.She screamed. Clawed at my wrists. Her wolf surged, but mine was faster — angrier — and the growl that ripped through my chest made two nearby servants stumble back against the wall.I shoved her head under the nearest faucet and turned the water on.Cold. Full blast. It hit her face and she gasped, choking, her hands scrambling at the basin. I held her there, not long, a few seconds then pulled her up by the back of her neck.Water streamed down her face. Her hair was ruined and her makeup ran in dark lines down her cheeks. She stared at me with wide, furious eyes, too shocked to speak.I leane
Cedrick's POVShe was still asleep when I woke.Her back was turned to me, her breathing slow and even, one hand tucked beneath the pillow. The first light was coming through the window. In it, I could see the line of her shoulder, the curve of her neck, a strand of hair caught against her cheek.I didn't move. I lay there and watched her breathe, and my wolf lay quiet inside me. Last night had been different.I'd been gentle.I didn't know where it came from. When she'd kissed me back, something in me had loosened. Like a fist that had been clenched so long it forgot it could open. I'd touched her slowly. Paid attention to the sounds she made, adjusted when she tensed, stopped when she needed me to stop. And when it was over, she hadn't pulled away. She'd turned her face into my chest and fallen asleep with her fingers still resting against my collarbone.I hadn't sent her away.Every other time with every other woman, I'd ordered them out before the sweat dried. My bed was mine but
Neah's POVI went to check on the situation myself. That was what I told the guards, anyway. The truth was simpler, I needed to see what Cedrick would do with her. I pushed the door open and there it was.Cedrick was leaning over the bed, one hand behind Beatrice's head, his mouth pressed to hers.My chest caved in.My wolf snarled inside me. I wanted to scream, cross that room and rip her off the bed and claw her face until there was nothing left to kiss.I didn't.I composed myself and smoothed my expression. "Cedrick," I said.He pulled back and looked at me. His face gave nothing away."What are you planning to do with her?" I asked. "About the room.""I ordered an investigation.""An investigation." I let the word sit. "Cedrick, the evidence is obvious.What more do you need?"He didn't answer.I stepped closer. "Don't let a pretty face cloud your judgment. I've seen it before,women who use their looks to manipulate men into forgetting what they are. She's her brother's sister.
Elena’s povLydia didn't wait to be invited in.She stepped past Blake like he wasn't even there, her heels clicking against our hardwood floors. "I'm here in my capacity as Chief Warrior," she announced, smoothing her dress as she surveyed our living room. "A formal visit."Blake moved to block h







