The villainess

ching the fabric of her gown. She could still feel the cold gaze of Kai Alexander on her, as if he had left a mark that seeped be

hadn't realized she'd been holding. It was supposed to be a place of

ending a hand to help her. She took it, her own hand trembling sl

but approving. "This alliance with the Alexanders will s

er victory, if it could be called one at all. Her father'

turned to Caroline with a sharp look. "You were almost insolent back there," she hissed, her e

ne replied, her voice a strained whispe

concern. "None of us expected this, Caroline. But we don't have the luxury of

t of her, deep down, recoiled at the thought. Adapt. Survive. It w

he household. Servants scurried through the halls, making arrangements for the full moon gathering where the engageme

front of mirrors as seamstresses pinned fabric around her, listened to her mother prattl

den, watching the sun set behind the trees. "Kai Alexander is one of the most

ked, unable to keep the edge of bitte

ourse you are. Power, wealth, influence-it's everything M

s face. She wondered if Cecilia would still feel the same way if she had

w him," Caroli

you'll have to learn. And quickly. Men l

ly concealed disdain in Kai's eyes, the way he had spoken to her as if

t refused to be snuffed out. She had spent her whole life being overlooked, underes

sformed, glowing with candlelight and adorned with garlands of flowers. Nobles from all across the te

was a deep blue, the color of midnight, designed to complement her pale skin and dark h

ed utterly at ease, a king among his subjects. His silver eyes flicked up to meet hers, and for a mo

rcase slowly. Her heart pounded with each step,

ring his hand. She took it, the warmth of his

s voice low and intimate. It should have b

d, her voice steady. "Y

e the flash of a blade. "Good. It'

, raising his glass to make the announcement. Th

of my daughter, Caroline Lockwood, to Kai Alexander,"

one knew what this alliance meant-power, the merging of two great families, and the cementing o

les. The gesture was deceptively gentle, but she could feel t

his breath hot against her skin.

a shiver ran down her spine. She could feel the iron bars

lse stirred. She wasn't sure what it was yet-rage,

had won, but he had no idea

iment. But Caroline stood at the edge of the room, watching the crowd with a detached calm. She

ke a shadow. "You look like you're ready

," she repl

inst her ear. "Run if you want. It wi

meeting his gaze head-on

ut there was no humor

, a small, dangerous smile of her own.