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“Why are the bonds always broken?” she had to ask. “Why do they always end after thebattle?”
“It is just how it has always been,” Rafe said with a reassuring smile. “There is no reason to worry. Nothing can go wrong, not if you have Taveon’s power running through yourveins.”
Taveon’s eyes caught Bree’s across the table. A smile and a soft caress whispered through their bond. He sent soothing emotions toward her, assurances that everything was finally going to be okay. But behind it all, there was something more hidden in the depths of him. A hope that she would not pull away. A need for her to stay close. Her heart raced as they stared at each other silently, spoken words unnecessary because of all that passed betweenthem.
Bree’s cheeks flamed underneath his scrutiny. She knew he was searching her heart just as she searched his. But she wasn’t ready, not quite yet. So, she showed him just a mere part of her heart, the part that told him that she was not quite ready to let their bondgo.
Taveon smiled, feeling herthoughts.
“Okay,” she said out loud for the sake of the others. “We’ll keep the bond. Fornow.”
* * *
Bree donned her nicest dress,the silky violet ensemble she’d worn on her first day walking with the Prince through the castle halls. The lace bodice hugged her curves, and as she stared at herself in the mirror, she scarcely recognized the girl who looked back ather.
Her eyes were bright, and her shoulders were thrown back. She looked confident andstrong.
A knock sounded on the door, and Lady Ethne poked her head inside. Her eyes twinkled as she eyed Bree’s dress and the light makeup she’d applied to her face. Ethne had lent her some charcoal pieces and some light pink powder as blush. It was a lot different than the makeup Bree was used to in the human realm, but it woulddo.
“You look beautiful,” Ethne said. “And I am certain Taveon willagree.”
Bree couldn’t help but blush in response. She hoped he would think so, at least. They hadn’t spoken of their feelings, even though she knew he had an inkling of her affection toward him because of theirbond.
“Here,” Ethne said, holding up a folded piece of parchment. “I do not want to make you late in getting ready. I just came by because I have a note for you. It is quite puzzling, I’ll admit. This appeared on my dressing table earlier. I do not know who it isfrom.”
“Thanks.” Bree took the note and grinned. She knew exactly who this note was from. Another little message from Taveon, one signed with the letter T. She’d rolled her eyes and laughed at him when he’d done it before, but now...she found it kind ofendearing.
Ethne gave a nod. “I shall leave you to finish getting ready. See you at thecoronation.”
When the door clicked shut behind her, Bree greedily opened the note, her heart fluttering just a shade faster at the excitement of whatever message Taveon had for her this day. But the scrawling letters looked far different than the short and stubby handwriting of Prince Taveon. Her eyes skipped past the message to see who it wasfrom.
Fillan.
Her mouth went dry, and her blood began to roar in her ears. Yes, the assassin had helped her, but she still felt uneasy about his strange presence in herlife.
And the messageitself...
Her stomachdropped.
Have you puzzled out the truth of the Battle for the Crown? Here is a big hint. I took care of your opponents for you and started the rumor about your ferocity. You and Taveon have won the crown but only because ofme.
You owe me, Bree Paine. And I intend to collect on yourdebt.
* * *
