VOWS TO THE DEVIL

maps and documents. He looked up when she e

happ

e walked to his desk and placed her

she said. "It was him.

er. "What are yo

about-" She stopped herself. She couldn't tell him about the H

what?" Kae

But you have to believe m

. His eyes searched her face, loo

," he said slowly. "He is t

ra said. "Betrayal hurts most wh

eyes. Recognition. Pain. He

he said quietly, "I cannot

his chambers. Interrogate

opped in front of her. His eyes were confli

?" he asked. "What co

d her mout

urst open. A guard stood in the thresh

a Commander. He's gone. His chamber

e guard's hand. His eyes scanned

ed. "No, that's

etter from his

ear

a son. But some ambitions are larger than love. The Heart of the

She will be the key to unlocking the Devil Wolf's full stren

her to me. Or I will burn

dr

ter slipped from her finger

rkness of the nigh

hen a

anot

marching on

*

s kept s

gh the night. Lyra stood frozen in Kael's study, the

whispered. "H

wall and strapped it to his hip, his movements sharp a

he demanded

bling at the southern ridge. The Commander-" The guar

dge. The Blood Wolves. The most br

hered an army. He had

His eyes burned with

ock the door. Do not op

not h

If Aldric gets his hands on you, he will use you. Do you

instinct screamed at her t

f inside he

fraid. Not for

ee days. That's

tightened. "But I will not surrend

l never surrender you. He had said she was no

s said some

command

a f

*

of Black Hol

Guards barked orders. Somewhere in the distance, she heard the

rt pounding. She needed to think. To p

inside her

I can feel it breaking. The more

er chest. "I don't underst

t to protect you. Let me out

. "I won't become a monster.

t they fear. You ju

door shut and locked it. Her hands were sha

the window. Pale face. Dark eyes

e surface, som

ing an

hing

*

ame with

g. The horns had stopped. The army had settled at

her chambers. The guards at

, the Al

to see h

ed by generals and strategists. Maps covered the table. Mar

ntered. His eyes were exh

uldn't b

Lyra said. "You look l

aven

nerals stepped back, startled b

e the lett

d the folded parchment from h

Surrender her, or Aldric would

se," she said slowly.

ha

No title. No demands for your throne. He doesn't want yo

aying the political alliance

ld take me. He knew what I was." She swall

red behind her. Ka

know about th

pressing against her ribs. It wa

w: not here. Not with

t," she said carefully. "An

ment. Then he nodded. "We'll d

aw the calculation in his eyes. He had

y or a

*

his study

lded in her lap. The fire crackled in

a glass of wine. He

ing," he said. "

ing. But I know this: I have no wolf. Tha

s narrowed

." She pressed her hand to her chest. "I carry something inside me. The H

s glass. His fac

eal-can it

pounded. "I

re ly

on't know if it ca

hought. The wolf has been

front of her. His hands gripped her arms, not ro

ver you're afraid of-I will not let him take you. Do you unders

Why? Why do you care? Y

moment. Then he spoke, hi

't expect." He touched her face, his fingers brushing her cheek. "I felt you. In

ssed against the seal,

The bond. The fated bond. He know

ning amber eyes. And for the first time,

Hope.

ered. "I don't understand

ehead touched hers. His bre

id. "Whatever comes. Whatever Aldri

lf lean into him, let herself feel

lf screame

about the bond. He knows everyt

yes snap

racing. "He's not waiting," she said.

d. "What d

e's comin

or bur

ace white, his uniform tor

here. The army-they're attacking. Th

n instant. He grabbed his

the door. Don't o

ae

me you will listen. I will not lose you.

and fast and despera

her heart pounding, her lips bu

. War cries echoed through the n

chest, the

protect him. Let me fight. Let m

ars, trying to block out the so

n she h

ce. Shouti

e

t terrified servants, past armed g

l she reache

he sa

rimson Ridge warriors. Aldric stood ov

ning to her. His smile was wide. Fa

t pounded. The wolf su

adier than she expected. "I'm the one you

He pressed the blade harder against Kael's throat. A line

ure in her chest built and built u

he first time i

her wol

he whispered.

e let