Twenty OneI sat curled up on the window seat in my chambers, gazing outside but not really seeing anything. I had told Aramatha I needed to prepare myself to meet my parents since she said announced that they were here at the castle. I didn't want to face them even though I knew it was inevitable. So I waited in my room while the other ladies spoke to their parents one by one, hoping I'll be the last one. As I stared at the backyard, My mind was lost in painful memories of my step mother treating me like the worst thing to ever exist. How she had turned my father who had loved me so much against me. I smiled bitterly, my mind flashing back to that awful day when I was fourteen.I had been sitting on the front steps, chatting with the neighbor boy Jake about a school project we were partnering on. It was all perfectly innocent. But then my stepmother had stormed outside."Freya! What do you think you're doing?" she screeched, grabbing my arm and wrenching me to my feet. "Throwing yo

Twenty three We started at each other quietly, the air cracking with so much tension that I could taste it. His face stopped just inches off mine. I could feel his minty breath on my face and this filled my belly with way too much excitement than it should have. Then suddenly, as if we both woke up from our drunken state, we pulled away at the same time. I tried to clear my throat, hoping my disappointment did not show on my face. The air between us crackled with tension as Rafe's piercing blue eyes bore into mine, his jaw clenched tight. My breath caught in my throat. He was so close I could feel the heat radiating off his muscular form. Part of me wanted to close the distance between us, to press my lips against his and finally give in to the desire that had been building since the moment we met. But I couldn't. Not when the other girls in the palace would gladly take my place. Girls who were vying to be his breeder so they could be his chosen Luna and queen. I didn't thi

Twenty Five*Freya*The ball was about to begin. I sighed as my maids hurried back and forth around me. Anxiety rose up within me as they pushed me to the front of my large mirror. I stared at my reflection. The whalebone corset clinched tighter around my ribcage as Grace laced up the back. I sipped in a shallow breath, steadying myself against the bedpost. The silk of my ballgown flowed like liquid moonlight, cascading in shimmering waves to the floor. Silver thread glimmered in beautiful floral patterns across the bodice. "You look like a vision, my lady," My other maid, Clara said as she pinned my dark curls into an elegant bun. I gazed at my reflection in the full length mirror, marveling at the mesmerizing beauty of the dress. And yet, as exquisite as it was, each shallow breath reminded me of how impossibly tight it was. And I was supposed to be in this cage all night? Beauty is pain, Grace would say. Flo packed up my gowns so I could fit my feet into the pretty pink heels

Twenty seven *Freya* I woke up feeling so much pains all over my body. Every single part of my body hurt so bad. My mind tried to recall what had transpired last night at the ball but it was blank. I couldnt think past the blinding pain on my side. I was shot last night? Oh my God… the memories flooded back. The elegant ballroom, filled with swirling dancers and dazzling chandeliers, now seemed like a distant dream. The sound of gunshots echoing through the air, the panicked screams of the guests, and the feeling of a searing pain in my side were all too real. Addy's worried face swam into focus as I tried to sit up against the plush pillows. "Hey, hey, you're banged up pretty bad, don't try to strain yourself right now, sweetheart" The sharp pain shot through me like a bolt of lightning, causing me to gasp and fall back onto the bed. Addy's eyes were filled with concern as she gently pushed me back down."How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice soft and soothing. "Thank God

Twenty nine *Rafe*I was busy examining the budget reports for the palace repairs and renovations when the doors to my office flew open with a bang. Freya stormed in, her face flushed with rage. My eyes widened in shock as I noticed the way she held her side where the bullet had pierced her flesh just hours ago."What the hell are you doing?" I demanded, leaping up from my chair. The papers scattered as my hands slammed on the desk. "You're supposed to be resting!"She opened her mouth to retort but swayed unsteadily on her feet. fuck! In two long strides I was at her side, scooping her up into my arms before she could crumple to the floor. Her warm breath tickled my neck as I carried her to my desk and set her down gently on the polished mahogany surface. I planted my hands on either side of her hips, caging her in. She glowered up at me defiantly even as she struggled to catch her breath, no doubt from the exertion of marching down here while still recovering. The urge to shake so