Captured By The Prince's Heart

beneath the weigh

fingers twitching near their blades, tho

l, eyes wide and lips parted in disbe

arther inside, his boots echoi

hut behind him, se

voice like steel wrapped in

h a scar dragging across his cheek-swallowe

ering his eyes, "we thought she w

" Zavian's g

and chained? Th

stions," the other guard lie

.. trying to ge

ead slightly, his e

r hands on

en sti

he older one dared

would'v

he man's throat before

drawn it with flo

it hung b

ssed against skin, g

voice low, "should be treat

ore Zavian stepped back and returned the

turned

o

girl who hadn't

d not

ide, haunted eyes, her frai

e edge of one shoulder exposed, her legs

her knees with a sudde

w her forehead nearl

he whispered, her voi

n bli

lence passed

t," he said gently

a pr

aid n

her, slow and deliberate, un

her eyes, the bruises on her nec

ched out and tilted her chin

e-the dirt, the sca

the

depthless sorrow, as if her very soul had

still something the

r he coul

ed within him. I

rei

ame befo

in and pressed a kiss to h

not of o

of m

dy sti

stared, m

shock in his chest. He

even know

act wa

ifting her to her

e?" he as

hesi

wered h

't... h

tudied h

ike a wraith carved fr

ve you one,"

op

snapped b

hat you look like

ach other, eyes wide w

uth to object, but Zavian

Not by anyone in this palace. Not

at the two

t with once the f

pe's hand-small,

dn't r

d, then guided her out of the room, past the stunned

carried the scent of ash and battle, he turned

Zavian

dismounted and rus

r Hig

d at the gir

ot in chains. Find my physician. She's to be treated

ked between them

," Zavian s

held we

helped her into the saddle, ge

ed back

ssuing orders to contain the fires

and command, she clutched the na

o

lare was quiet, t

legs weren't chained or that her body wasn't being

s trusted friend-kept a watchful eye

duty and curiosit

of the Solare kingdom came in

gotten dream-high walls wrapped in ivy, spires that touched t

auty like this. Not s

red witho

urried to meet them in the co

rl is to be treated as a guest of the royal family. She is to be ta

en, but the co

yeing the dirt on Hope's face, her thin arms,

gh the palace halls, unsure if h

g windows cast soft amber light, walls laced with velvet

he gossi

t be a c

brought one

ven talk. Mayb

ty. Dirty,

s too

ough the whispe

's en

sture was straight as steel, h

wels, but her presen

of the royal ma

serve. If Prince Zavian gave an orde

r maids sc

urned t

e sneer. She reached out and brushed

," she muttered, "but I've se

eaming bath, poured

unaccustomed to soft thi

fter she dressed

nce sees in you, but he's not a f

licker of lanterns, Alina ret

ants with you," she said plainl

. He doesn't care for silly games or

pe again with something

you. Not to punish

g the heavy door behin

nd room, her bare feet sinking into thick

had been in a c

ing of lavender and wearing fabric finer

e bed, confused and troub

strange, commanding prince

fused and kidnappe