Bloodhoundhearts

orridors bre

said. Torchlight flickered along marble walls as servants passed quietly, heads bowed,

st. Her steps were measured, calm on the surface, but her heart beat t

tching. Someon

rned a

y collide

enm

eath c

oyal attire. His expression was unreadable, his jaw tense, his eyes

point

he linens slipped slightly in her arms, and she ti

ur head,

ated, the

eyes

ir sh

t name. His gift stirred faintly, brushing against her presence, but what

no g

ye

you last nig

struck her

arters, my prince," she answ

ow fur

ertain?" h

fusion threading her voice.

retched be

slowly. "Then

se enough that she could feel the warmth o

ay," he said. "Near my cha

s eyes

That cannot be. I was

se. "I would never-never enter your chamb

so loudly she fear

arched h

breath. Her tr

bout her

ye

owly, "someone wearing y

ned the color

ce?" she rep

e looked like you. Spoke like you. Stood

e floor tilt b

don't know how-how that's possible, b

him. She searched his intentions without meaning to-and f

d to bel

ad already

ly, turning to a nearby guard.

odded and h

fear. Something was very wrong. She could feel

ater, Mar

ing nervously. She bowe

prin

"tell me-was Elenma in the

hesi

or a m

a not

eart

said finally. "When I woke in

fell lik

not true," she whispered. "I w

looked

murmured. "But

dark stirr

idden, her lips curved in the faintest smile. A whisper of suggestion

had ta

ed his eye

hem again, somet

he said

re she could stop herself. "Someone is lying. I do

e enough," h

rsh. N

fi

stop

them felt wider tha

one carefully controlled. "Until then, you

hest

rince," sh

urned and walked away be

atched

twisted

t she was not the threat here. But the palace did not r

bt was

nts' wing. Once inside the quiet of her small room, she

reath

yes b

g wrong," she whispe

er distress. Somewhere deep within her, s

at the edges

her eyes shut

ught. I don't un

alone in the corridor l

eel like a mist

ws, Ramela turne

crack ha

begun to

ts grip-drawing them all closer to the momen