The princess and the werewolf

ovement beneath her body. For a moment, her head throbbed, and every

ess... Prin

she saw was the anxious face of her head maid, eyes

the woman cried. "You

ull ache spread through her body. "Wha

y. "That wild horse nearly killed us all. We searched ever

urrowed. Lying

rearing violently. Her scream tearing throug

had ca

ot so

gi

riage back into the palace. The image of glowing golden eyes flashed in

see... anyone?" s

confused glances. "A

head quickly. "

. The marble-whatever it truly was-stirred restlessly, pulsing in a slow, st

chi

it

human eyes could not follow, the

moment her scream c

lling at him like a tightening cord around his chest.

etly, awe and disbelief mixing in

n the space where she had fallen moments earlier. If he had be

murmured at last. "Still

at belongs to you," th

ned beneath the cloak. "Ye

ing raised a hand, muttering a low incantation. The forest bent subtly around them,

uard asked. "She is unprotected

replied sharp

ffened. "But

is is not a simple extraction. The marble has been inside her for

rd fell

" the King continued, voice low

ght unsettled him more

Lyra could

ss. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the forest again. Felt the air

en tho

her like she was something

of warmth surged through her. The marble pulsed once, strong

she whispered in

ently, its flame stretching unnatura

the candle,

ever happe

side her responded instantly, spreading outward li

er hand back, b

gi

zation hi

g it. Something insi

alace grounds, the W

sponse to her fear. He pressed a hand to his chest i

ing to feel

d. "The bond is

rs ago, he had been weak, bleeding, hu

was circ

e yet," he said quietly. "And she

that be?" the

King replied. "And when she final

d. "Your Majesty..

nly way to reclaim what is mine is to bind her hear

man who had saved her life that day was now closer than ever-no longer jus