Captured By The Prince's Heart

lickered with golden flames, casting long

h the west wing, his steps f

illowed behind him

ut of his way, thei

stand still as statues, sh

l chamber, where his bold declaration s

make the gi

had fo

their mouths agape, as if they had just witness

ian's father, who sat reclined on his throne, his

?" the king a

ith the ha

ed. "She is no

g had c

. If she tames your mood, I'll allow it. Better her than the brats sent from neigh

aid nothing

ention of trea

would see

ce they arriv

to lay eyes on her and that she be given t

ould find he

the tall mahogany doors

, nervously twisting

inside?"

nodded

asn't asked for anything, but she... she sings.

ched into a faint

and fled down

breath, he op

d of lavender a

ace, and beside the open window stood

ple nightgown

d her bare feet pressed lightly aga

, but he knew s

well?" he asked, his

out at the stars. "I've ne

pped c

re clearer than i

ed then,

A flicker of fear still danced in them

sp

u wouldn't co

. But I never

hem. Then, hesitantly, she

istance between them shri

something in your eyes. Not weakness. Not help

s she swallowed. "

nten

though trying to understand w

long to trust easily. But, Zavi

to be a slave,

er fold of his cloak and drew out a sma

d to my mothe

de me believe we lost her to the war. I'm giving it to y

d at it,

I'm n

and, pressing the ne

s of the world. But here, in this k

etween them lik

her eyes, but she

l your pe

. They'll scoff.

closing her fingers

our fa

s jaw t

obedience. But I se

and unsure, like som

ank

Just promise you'll never loo

gh the window, rustlin

stance, the palace

she asked sudde

, startled. "If

no

air near her bed while she sat on its e

avy-it was thoughtful,

she said, after a whi

t react, did

ves. But the moment we opened our gates, they slaughtered the men, enslaved the women

d, his voice like ir

our blood. Not even the nobels

I don't even know

use I say so, but becau

r cheek. This time,

fire," she

ams. Of

t before her, taking

thing else. Let me teach yo

There was only the prince and the girl who had no

ame a

swiftly. "

e answered thr

messenger sent wor

rned back

no

s alr

the door, t

e here when

lse woul

ore with his eye

Go

n he wa

oom, moonlight still sp

n at the circl

d silver, and for the first time in a l

e someone wort

ked lik

e corridor, the door click

, but his heart was doing

d legions into battle without blinking-yet a single girl in a mo

g to make H

im like a drumbeat e

urt approved or when the nob

on

ew days, if h

the corridor, nodding at a waiting

messenger?"

Highness. He came from the east

oes, Zavian th

ike a storm near

el activity, per

ies couldn't wait

to this crisis q

low anything to

his fingers tightening briefl