y
op the relentless wondering: what had he offered my father in exchange for me? I had tried to catch the
ad barked a price so steep the man's face drained of color until he looked like a ghost. For
red, pulling a strand of hair into pl
flicker of something...pity, perhaps, shone in her eyes. A
heavy ocean. A thick gold necklace weighed down my throat, and m
pe warmed my blood. Soon, I would be away from this house
d open, and my f
s scanning me with the chilling admi
eve you are fi
ted a tremor of genuine emotion in his voice.
m watching. So behave. No talking.
rtured withered instantly. I forced my lips to curve upward, burying t
leave hi
ll, the air seemed to vanish as th
he's bea
oddes
ue. The Princess of Moo
inhabited since birth. I remembered the night I had pressed a knife to my own cheek, desper
use of your beauty." I had dropped the
d the altar felt like a step toward a door that was finally unlocking.
inst my ribs, a franti
anding before h
listening with fake, practiced tears.
ever seen. His eyes were the color of cold steel, and his jet-
about how men marry for love, and how they cherished beautiful wives. Perhaps, in the Blackth
ke her as your wife, Alpha
id, his voice a de
ou take him as your hu
to break the rule yet. My eyes instinctively sought my fa
is expression a thi
obe
k is now the husband to Princess Lyr
y the Moon; what she has
inside one; usually, I was just the ornament sitting on a stool at my father's par
felt the words bubbling up in my throat. I opened
" Draven said, his voice cuttin
be qu
ad. Was this just a different cell in the same prison? I tried to tel
ed, my voice ra
eyes flashing with shock
u ta
, ready to explain. But his next wo
ve bought you," he spat, his face contorte
door and stormed out. I fo
get puffy, you lose your value. I put on t
it was my father who climbed
told you, your beauty is the only thing k
rest back. Then, with terrifying speed, his face softened. He re
n you are quiet, Lyra. Do
lowly, my t
ay quiet." He steppe
had vanished, replaced by a satisfied, chilling s
y say," he murmured. "But you'll lo
n auction. I felt the weight of his gaze, but my heart felt hollow.
ing more than a cruel delusion. I
ng to the Moon that felt very far away, wo
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