*Ember*As I stared into the amber eyes of the strange man, I felt pinned by his gaze.“Thank you, but I’m not lost,” I lied, falling back on the manners that had carried me through my time in the court of the Silver Crescent and offering the stranger a bob of my head befitting for a female of my station.The man’s eyes widened slightly. “My mistake,” he apologized. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sawyer. Some call me the Rogue King, myself included.”Before I could pull away, he gracefully caught my hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing my knuckles gently before offering me a low bow.The action chilled my blood. That was the way a male would greet a queen or a princess; not even a Luna would be afforded that treatment. Was it possible that he recognized me as Ember Moonrise, Princess of the Silver Crescent?Feeling numb with fear, I willed my voice to remain steady as I answered, “It is a pleasure to meet you.”“Oh, the pleasure is all mine,” the man grinn
*Alec*The night was cool, but Ember was burning up in my arms. I couldn’t believe the state I had found her in and wondered just how many drinks she had consumed. At the moment, she was bellowing the out-of-tune chorus to a singularly filthy pub song, drawing curious glances from villagers as they passed us on their way to the carnival.“Where did you even learn that song?” I asked, hoping that my amusement wasn’t showing on my face.“Drunken parties at the castle,” she giggled, taking a momentary break from yelling profanities into the night. “I wasn’t allowed to go to most of them, but they weren’t exactly quiet!” She began to sing again, restarting at the beginning of the bawdy chorus.I rolled my eyes. “I bet you don’t even know what half of those words mean, Princess.”“I do!” she protested, squirming in my arms.“You don’t,” I goaded, enjoying how ridiculous and unguarded she was being. Plus, I was sure that she would remember none of this in the morning, so this mig
*Alec*Sawyer smiled, but there was nothing reassuring in his expression. “Who’s asking?” he repeated, staring down at the knife thoughtfully. “I guess you could say… just a curious rogue. I have no loyalty to the Silver Crescent and the so-called Alpha King, as I’m sure you already know.”“What about the Grims?” I asked, disdain dripping from my voice.“Lukas Grimwood is a coward and a fool,” Sawyer replied smoothly. “I have no reason to tie myself to his pack, especially now that I’ve seen how easily the Whitelarks were able to overpower the Alpha’s best entourage.”I nodded in agreement. I believed that he spoke the truth. An alliance with either pack would be of no use to somebody like the Rogue King, who preferred to lounge in and mooch off of the southern territories. However, he had still recognized Ember, which could put her in a dangerous position. “What do you want from the princess?” I asked.“Who says I want anything from her?” he shot back. “It’s not me that you
*Ember*I woke with a start.For a moment, I didn’t know where I was or how I had gotten there, but then I realized that I was in my room at the manor, wrapping tightly in a pile of blankets.My head was pounding, and my mouth felt dry and cottony. The morning sunlight, which I usually loved, stung my eyes and caused me to duck back under the covers for the tiny amount of respite they could afford me.Even though I felt terrible, there was something in my chest that felt loosened, as though I had shaken off the yoke of all of those years of being a docile, submissive princess for my father in the night.Groaning, I extricated myself from the covers and sat up, squinting against the light. I was still wearing the same clothes I had been in yesterday, though somebody had placed my boots neatly by the door. I glanced around the room for any other clues about what had happened the previous night, and then my eyes fell on the vanity.A single red rose was laid out on the center
*Alec*Watching Ember train was like seeing a fawn walk for the first time. I had only ever seen her in dresses and skirts, but now she was wearing plain trousers, a blouse, and a new set of leather protective gear. She seemed uncomfortable in the outfit, moving stiffly and hesitantly. I knew from experience that the leather would soften with time and use, and that practice was the only thing that would make her more comfortable with this new experience.I doubted that the princess had ever had an opportunity to train before. From the way the Alpha King had treated her at the Silver Crescent, I guessed that he wouldn’t have wanted his daughter to be able to fight back against him or any of the other males that would end up around her. He would have wanted to keep her docile and submissive, easy to control.The thought made me angry, and I growled into my coffee cup. I had decided to take breakfast in my office that morning so that I could observe Ember’s first training session. T
*Ember*It was dark when I woke up.I blinked, trying to understand how I had gotten into bed again. I knew that I had gotten up and had breakfast, and I remembered arguing with Bryan and Rhys about training. I had changed into those stiff leather garments and then met the two of them out in the back yard. It had been painfully obvious after one attempted punch that I had no idea what I was doing, and Rhys had told me to sit and watch.But then what happened? I remembered that strange numb feeling and the thrill of power rushing through my veins, and then there was nothing but an image of Bryan sobbing in pain and Rhys’s eyes, haunted by fear.How bad had I hurt him? I didn’t know how I had done it, but I was certain that whatever had happened had been my fault.What would Alec think? I groaned inwardly. I briefly recalled him carrying me upstairs, saying something to me, but I couldn’t remember what. And then he had been gone, and the maid who had helped me the first night i
*Ember*I stared deep into Alec’s eyes, and I knew that he was telling the truth. Relief and joy rushed through me. The man who had helped me and made me feel loved was here, standing in front of me, far more solid than the shadow he had been back at the castle. Everything he had said had made sense and fit with what I had known about the hooded stranger who had visited me all those weeks ago. I recalled the magnetic way we had been drawn together in the library, now sure that I hadn’t been misreading the situation.But then a trickle of anger soured my elated thoughts. I understood why he hadn’t been able to rescue me sooner, but why had he not just told me who he was when he ambushed the carriage? I would have gone with him willingly, enthusiastically. I would probably have even fought for him! Had he just planned to bed me and leave? Had he intended for me to never find out?As if reading my mind, Alec cast his eyes downward in shame. “I should have told you sooner, I know,” h
*Ember*The low rumble of his voice sent a shiver of desire through me. My core ached with need. The pleasure still hummed in my blood as Alec leaned over me. His grin was still his place. His purple gaze seemed to be glowing in his face. He trailed his lips against mine and skimmed his fingertips up the inside of my leg. It was almost ticklish, yet the sensation stroked the desire burning in me. I felt myself getting wetter, soaking the sheets beneath me with desire and anticipation. I panted with anticipation of when his hand would reach my core and what he would do to me.“I could taste you forever,” he whispered. “I could have you forever.”My eyes fluttered closed, imagining a hazy dreamscape made of just us and the endless pleasure we could have together. He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I dream about that too,” he said as his fingers fluttered where his tongue had been just moments before. I moaned, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and threading my hands