Vivienne and Lydia scattered from Princess Madeleine, and I saw them whispering to the other nobles. No doubt they were inviting the nobles into Madeleine's game of mystery. I wish I could take that back. But Princess Madeleine kept taking my arm and pretending to be an old friend. She rattled off innocuous things to me along the way. Her dog, for example, was so bloated from eating too much meat that she beat the slave girl who cared for it. Then there's her recent acquisition of new jewelry and fancy clothes. Before I knew it, she was leading me down the long corridor until I was outside a closed room, where Princess Madeleine glanced at the guards standing outside, who immediately opened the door. Madeline took my hand and went into the room, which was already lighted with candles. Camryn Court is so large that I did not have time to know every room in the castle. The room was smaller than the hall in which the ball had been held, but the furnishings were still sumptuous, with s

"Your Highness, Princess Madeleine, it seems that the country girl doesn't care about you at all!" Lydia was fanning the flames. Princess Madeleine stared at me for a long moment with those cold eyes, and the scene fell silent. William looked on in silence, the corners of his mouth twitching carelessly. "Listen girl!" Princess Madeleine's tone hardened, "Even though you are Leon's destined mate, you are not yet married to him. Every man standing here is of a higher birth, and of a higher rank, than you. Thou art as low as a slave in my eyes! Now, do as I bid you! I don't think you will forget what I have just said so quickly!" I clenched my fists and fought back my anger. The eyes were fixed upon Princess Madeleine. She has so flagrantly disgraced my self-respect that I cannot bear it! Shirley, my wolf, was agitated; she could feel my anger plainly, but she was telling me to be calm! "How dare you look Her Royal Highness in the eye!" Lydia called out to me. "Those who disregard H

"I'm sorry!" I was lying on the bed facing Leon, and his sculpted profile was stunningly perfect! I stared at his face in fascination, blinking. Now that Leon was by my side, all uneasy fears were gone. He alone can give me the greatest comfort! "You don't have to apologize for that! It's not your fault!" Leon brushed my bangs behind my ear with his fingers, then his fingertips continued down my neck to the collarbone on my chest. Tension shot through my lower abdomen as if an electric current were running up the soles of my feet. I swallowed in silence, fighting the urge to continue the conversation. "Isn't every royal like Princess Madeleine?" "Something like that, but she's a freak!" Leon said casually. "Freak? But I think she's more of a monster!" When I think of what Princess Madeleine has done to-night, I see her as a woman in a mood, cruel and violent. Despite her striking features, she could not hide her serpentine heart. And then there were Vivian and Lydia, who were a

Before dawn I was wide awake. Now I wake up almost in sync with Leon when I open my eyes. I saw that he was already standing in front of the mirror, dressing alone. Through the refracted angle of the mirror Leon saw me staring at him from my bed. "Actually, you could use a little more sleep. After all, you were so tired last night!" Leon said with a wicked grin. "I just want to see you go!" I whispered, feeling so empty and lonely inside every time he was gone. There was no family or friends in the strange court. I'm so lonely! "Can I have my mother in court with me?" I asked cautiously. Leon dressed and went to the bedside, his voice tinged with pity as he brushed my cheek with the gentle palm of his hand. "Why not?" Leon said, "Based on the fact that we are getting married, I would also like to speak with your parents in person about having a wedding, and today I will have the Court Master send word to your parents that I am sure you will not have to see them for several days!

"Kneel down!" One of the guards pushed me unceremoniously to the cold floor. King Nick was sitting high on his throne with his golden crown, his hands resting on the arms of his chair, and his right palm supporting his head. Only his eyes were closed, as if he were asleep or deep in thought. "Your Majesty, the prisoner has been brought in!" said the guard. "I'm not a prisoner!" I pleaded loudly. "quiet!" " cried King Nick suddenly, his hollow, dark eyes fixed upon me. Then he waved his hand wide, motioning the guards to step back. "Your Majesty, what is my crime?" " I asked, looking up. "What crime have you committed?" King Nick stroked his chin in mock thought. "Let me see what I can find against you. Adultery? Disrespect to the king? How about a conspiracy?" "Those are false accusations you just made!" I immediately tightened my grip on the hem, "Because I didn't commit a crime!" "Whether you commit a crime or not is up to me!" King Nick smiled contemptuously, "I could hav