A MAYN
son, and our chambers were a flurry of activity for Rowena's final dress fitting and styling trial. The air was thick with the scent of hairspray, expensive perfume, and raw ambition. Every
l hiss, "is Prince Sebastian Carlisle." My daughter is my greate
ond hairpin into her curls to test the look. "Princess Bea
ls around her slender neck, my touch a silent command. "You are beautiful, my dear. Far more beautiful than that newly minted 'Baroness.
g with the dream of a crown. M
y husband, Theodore, stood by the window, his back to me. He was polishing an
a, his first wife and my older sister, had been dead for ne
rn around. "Show some respect,
oving to be just as troublesome." I brought up Seraphina's sudden ennoblement, and he finally turn
e warned. "The King has shown her
existence is an insult to us! Her aunt stole you from me once,
ry. Don't let your jealousy consume you." He turned and left the roo
PHIN
ne Coast, when Clara entered, her arms caref
or you!" she chirped. "F
ed. Gifts had been arriving all day,
f pure snow, except for a brilliant crest of sapphire-blue feathers on its head. It tilted its head,
outhern jungles. They were impossibly rare, obscenely expensive. And I had on
It had to be him. No on
ip. This wasn't a gift of wealth; it was a message. I know you. I am everywhere. A chill of being watched crept
p it, Clara. I
red again, this time holding a single,
incess Beatrice's upcoming birthday gala. As a newl
line was scrawled in a different, wilder ink. A
ard to seein
led my invitation. What was his role in this palace? The q
IAN
rd Seraphina's suite. My Beta, Owen Hayes, stood silently behind me. He was a quiet,
have been delivered," Owen reported. "Baroness
to get used to my presence in her life, whether in the shadows
ot let Seraphina's triumph go unchallenged. The
d be ready
ard estate's preparations. And ensure the guest list for the gala
ing sharp and predatory. I was going to
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