Moonlit vow

omeone had reached in and torn her heart free, leaving a cold emptiness in its place. She'd known something was

eding to breathe. Her mind replayed Finn's indifference, his coldness, and the flicker of satisfac

eeting y

kened alcove, arms crossed as he watched her with that same knowing gaze. He was cloaked in sh

asked, her voice more accu

gh his eyes remained fixed on hers. "But I

mien radiated an aura of danger that made her want to step closer and run away al

yra. The way you stormed out of the ballroom. The way you're st

fought to hold herself together. "I don't know what you're imp

ckering with a dangerous glint. "You're the one who left your own

. She didn't need his pity, nor his keen insight into her crumbling world. "Is th

st mocking. "You think I

on't know what to think about you. You're a stranger, yet you act li

of something almost tender crossing his face

ftened, replaced by a deep, aching curiosi

lied, his voice low and almost reverent. "I've seen your kind before. The strong ones. The

oo close to home, stripping away her defenses. She had always fought, clawed her way through every challenge, ne

he shook her head. "You think you

t yet. But I know enough to see when someone's had their world turned up

trange thrill pulse through her. She'd been shattered, broken, but here he was

with the pieces?" she asked, her tone s

"Why not take back what was stolen from you? M

on of making Finn and Sienna feel even a fraction of the pain she felt now. But hearing it spoken aloud

body both darkness and allure. "And why d

Or maybe I think you're more interesting than most." He leaned closer, his voice droppi

shatter for a future that had never been real. The logical part of her screamed to walk away, to not trust this dark s

s gaze with renewed strength. "Wha

"I can give you a way to get under their skin, to make them regret

fury inside her, the need to see them pay, won out. She gav

show m

as though this was the point of no return. Once she took his hand, she'd be bound to whatever madness he was weaving-yet a wild, fierce

brimming with something raw. "Let's ma

forting, this closeness to someone who seemed immune to the polished facades that had surrounded her all her life. They made their way to the edge of the crowd, drawing c

clipped. His mask of charm was slipping, the cracks wi

expression faltered, recognition dawning. The Silverclaw family was shrouded in rumor, f

ed, forcing a tight smile

pleasure's mine." His voice was polite, but a subtle edge

pite herself, she reveled in Finn's discomfort. He had always been the one with co

chin. "We were just about to get some air," she said smoothly, her voice laced wit

. Don't let me keep you." His gaze flicked to Damien, lingering with t

" Damien replied, his

thing he never thought he'd have to fight for. Lyra's heart pounded, exhilarated and almost shocked at the sudden

r a canopy of trees whose branches cast shadowy patterns on the path. L

he murmured, though a small, de

" He leaned against a tree, crossing his arms as he studied her with those penetrating

on the edge, struggling to find her footing, but now she felt st

ing his gaze with newfound r

" He straightened, extending a hand once more, his expression soften

eling the fire in her, and for the first