Bound By Bloodlines

the thoughts of everything that had transpired between her and Dorian the night before. The knocking h

ime louder, and she groaned, p

ervant's voice ca

tered, her voice grogg

d. They quietly went about helping her get ready for the day, assisting her with bathing and dressing, without even letting her re

one of them finally broke the silence. "You'll

argument, and the mess of emotions she couldn't quite process. But there was no avoiding it. This w

moment she stepped inside, the rich aroma of food filled the air. The table was laden with an overwhelmin

n the food in front of him. He didn't acknowledge her arrival, and Irwi

n to the other side of the room. The young woman serving Dorian was being far from subtle. She leaned over the table, her low cut dress revealing much of h

't seems to mind. In fact, he was watching the servant with a faint, amused smile on his

ers," Dorian murmured to

went. Irwin felt bile rise in her throat. She gripped her fork tightly, forcing herself to focus on the

ence, glanced at her once with a dismissi

anted to say something, to call him out for his behavior, but s

, Dorian finally stood, pushing

look at her as he spoke. "Feel free to entertain yourself in my Ma

usiness to a

e food she wasn't even hungry for. Dorian didn't wait for her answer. He turned

er food, trying to make sense of everything a

she didn't belong, surrounded by people who looked down on her, and boun

ing hall. She wandered aimlessly through the palace for a while, trying to take Dorian's ad

ups of servants and guards, all of whom either whispe

e to a courtyard didn't bother lowe

en the chance to come take a look yesterday" one

n't it? A hybrid, of all things. He's the alph

held high. She has heard more than this...She refused to let their w

her chambers, she overheard another conversati

g," one whispered harshly. "That hybrid gi

ly," the other added with a sneer. "

d under her breath. "As if

hroughout the day. She sat on the edge of her bed, trying to drown out the noise in her head. But

Unworthy.

e couldn't let this get to her. She had to be s

of the palace. Maybe if she kept herself busy, she could

ing about it seemed different ,quiet, more secluded. Curiosity got the better of he

ard something that made her pause. At first, she thought she imagin

an