Sacrifice of the Heart

their glow reflecting off the polished marble floors. Music swelled through the air, a haunting melody of strings an

rned her face, but it did little to hide her tension. This masquerade ball was more than just a lavish event-it was a test. Tonight, the royal fami

Every step she took was deliberate, measured, as if one wrong move

e felt it.

ned around yet. It was as if her body reco

inc

r, sending a shiver down her spine. She t

r Mor

t silk covering half his face, but nothing could conceal those piercing s

moving her lips. No one could suspect that the ma

cess. You think I'd miss such an extravagant affair?" His gaze flickered down the length o

ll extending

dened, but his tone darken

. He wasn't just h

dropping to a hushed murmur only sh

ion swept over her. Not

face neutral despite the wa

man by the east balcony. Tall, dark clo

e urge to turn. "

His voice was a w

had come to finish what th

e for the watching crowd. "I suppo

ching touch. "No, Princess." His voice was like silk

, a slow smirk curved her lips.

h something unreadabl

masquerade ball had tu

me a battlefield of whi

ed even as her pulse pounded beneath the lace of her mask. She couldn't

ocked onto the cloaked figure by the east balcony. "He hasn't moved,"

r crystal goblet, feigning ease. "The

rous and knowing. "Careful, Princess.

he extended a hand towar

in sent an involuntary jolt through her, but she masked it wi

ted-a slow, se

but practiced. Vesper's hand settled against the small of her back, the p

ing against her ear, "if I wanted to kil

g his gaze with defiance. "And y

deepened.

her suddenly, sharply, just enough to turn her so she co

admiring the paintings

ribs as she saw the glint of som

inal turn, he guided her off the dance floor, his arm coiling around

d against her temple. "Slowly

nodded. She wasn't some help

plan?" she

d the arched corridor at the edge of the ballroom. "We split up. You t

e interrupted, gripping

in the depths of his stormy eyes. Then, just as q

vanished int

he deafening noise of the ballroom dimmed. The weight of her gown fel

anning the hall ahead.

periphery of her visio

s tensed.

st as the assassin's blade slashed through th

miss. T

back, her heart hammering. The assassin lunged again

sp

th itself-silent,

wisting it until the dagger clattered to the floor. The assassin growled, struggling, but Vesper was

orward. "Who sent you?" she demande

neath his hood. "You're

d, his voice turning l

say anything else, a sudden explosio

gi

a force unseen but unmistakably de

n-he was a

ve!" Vesp

world shatter