The afternoon sun cast golden light across the palace gardens, warming the stone pathways that wound through beds of white roses and violet clematis. Prince Kane walked slowly along the cobbled path, his fingers interlaced with Princess Valerie's, their hands swinging gently between them like children at play. The air smelled of honeysuckle and fresh-cut grass, and somewhere in the distance, hammers rang against wood as workers constructed the dais for tomorrow's coronation.Valerie's emerald gown whispered against the stones with each step, the silk catching the light and shimmering like water. Her golden hair had been plaited with small white flowers, and when she turned to look at him, Kane felt his chest tighten with something he could only describe as contentment. She was beautiful, yes, but more than that,she was his future, his promise of normalcy in a life that had been anything but normal."Can you believe it?" Valerie said, squeezing his hand. "Tomorrow, you'll be crowne

Morgana continued, her voice smooth as silk. "Are you in, or are you out?"The silence that followed was excruciating. Morgana could hear the girl's rapid breathing, could almost hear the frantic racing of her thoughts. She was weighing her options, poor things. Trying to decide which fate was worse,doing what Morgana asked, or refusing and facing the consequences."My lady." Elara finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. She was shaking now, Morgana could see it in the trembling of her clasped hands. "Promise me. Promise me you won't go back on your word."Ah. There it was. The desperate hope that Morgana might actually honor their agreement.Morgana set down the letter opener and turned to face the girl fully. She arranged her features into an expression of solemn sincerity, the kind of look that had convinced countless people over the years that she was trustworthy, honorable, a woman of her word."I promise." Morgana said, meeting the maid's frightened eyes. "I won't g

Kane traced the edge of the frame with his thumb. He'd seen this painting before, but he never stopped studying it, searching for... what? Proof that she'd been a monster? Or proof that she hadn't been?His mother wore a dress of deep crimson that seemed to glow even in the painting. Her hair was black as midnight, falling in waves past her shoulders. Her skin had a slight olive tone, darker than most Valthornians. And her eyes,amber, like firelight, like honey held up to the sun. Those were the demon eyes everyone talked about.But when Kane looked at the painting, he didn't see a monster. He saw a woman smiling up at his father with such love that it made his chest ache. His father gazed back at her the same way, like she was his entire world.They'd been happy. Whatever else was true, that was real. Kane could see it in every brushstroke."Did you really kill him?" Kane whispered to the painting. "Did you use your demon blood to murder the man you loved?"The painted face stared

"What is it?" He asked, his voice rough. His eyes were kind even in his confusion, concerned rather than angry at being woken.Elara just stood there. Her mouth opened but nothing came out. She was shaking so badly now that she thought Kane must be able to see it.Kane's eyebrows pulled together. He stepped closer, out into the hallway, and before Elara could back away, he reached out and pressed his hand to her forehead.His palm was warm against her clammy skin."Oh." Kane said, his frown deepening. "Your body is so hot. Are you sick?"Elara flinched at his touch. Her whole body jerked like he'd burned her. The concern in his voice made everything worse. He was worried about ‘her’. About whether she was okay."I…I…" The words stuck in her throat. Her hand was still in her pocket, still gripping the knife. The metal was slick with her sweat now."Wait here." Kane said, already turning back toward his room. "Let me grab you some medicine. We keep willow bark tablets in the cabin

"Dear gods." Morgana breathed. She raised one hand to her throat in a gesture of dismay. "What happened here?"Kane was still crouched beside Elara's body. His hands were covered in blood up to his wrists. It had started to dry, turning sticky and dark. He looked up at Morgana, and for a moment relief flooded his face."Aunt Morgana." He said, his voice shaking. "Thank gods you're here. She came to my room. She had a knife. I didn't know what she wanted but she…" He gestured helplessly at Elara's body. "She tried to stab me. I just pushed her away. I swear I only pushed her and she…"The words were tumbling out too fast. Kane knew he sounded desperate but he couldn't stop. Couldn't slow down."She fell and the knife, it must have turned in her hand because when she hit the wall the blade…" His voice cracked. "I didn't mean for this to happen. You have to believe me. I would never…"Every eye in the hallway was on him. The servants. The guards. All of them staring.Silence fell