CASSANDRA.


    | stood there in shock for a moment.pletely taken aback by Ronald’s sudden disy of sorcery. The rose was incredibly


    beautiful and its petals were the most perfect shade of pink I’d ever seen, but | was so surprised by its sudden blooming that |


    didn’t know how to react.


    The crowd around us suddenly erupted intoughter and apuse. Heat spread to my cheeks as | jumped, startled by the


    sudden raucous, and as | nced around the banquet hall. | realized that every set of eyes was on me.


    My hands began to shake as the court members of Yurene began toment on the show of magic. | heard a few utter


    compliments while others mentioned the gesture was romantic


    | held the rose in my hand tentatively and tried to examine it closely. It looked so real, and yet. | had doubts in my mind.


    How could Ronald use sorcery: Raven had mentioned that he was Kaleb’s younger cousin. So, how could he be a sorcerer?


    Amidst the murmurs and chatter around me, | heard Raven grumbling behind me.


    “He’s so pretentious, the dark-haired beauty remarked, her deep red lips a thin, pursed line as her bluish-green eyes remained


    locked on Ronald. “Can you believe this?”


    | wanted to talk to her about this, ask questions, and demand an exnation. However, as | prepared to turn around to face her,


    Ronald spoke up.


    “If you do not wish to dance, Miss Cassandra, perhaps you would apany me on a walk outside!” he suggested in an


    effortlessly charming voice. “I have something else yo show you.


    The moment the idea left his lips, he turned to look at Kaleb, as if he sought approval for spending time with me.


    | nced at the king of Yurene, and when | did, | met his gaze, but his navy blue eyes were difficult to read. He said nothing. but |


    assumed by his expression that he had granted me some sort of silent permission. | hated the feeling that | could do nothing


    without the Northern king’s approval, but | knew very well that | was a hostage, not a guest.


    | turned back to Ronald and gave him a polite nod. His lips curled into a contented smile, and then he held out his arm to me. |


    epted it and after | took a short breath, the tall man escorted me out of the crowded ballroom.


    | had no idea what he was about to show me, but at the very least, | was relieved to be away from the Yurenian dancers and


    their lustful gazes.


    Ronald led me outside, and much to my surprise, he led me down a different route than I’d taken when I''d arrived earlier at the


    banquet hall. | shivered a little as the night breeze danced around me and silently cursed at Kaleb for sending me such a


    revealing dress.


    Soon, we found ourselves in front of a greenhouse. It wasn’t arge space by any means, but it was still a nier one nheless.


    | had never expected a greenhouse in this bleak fortress


    Pale blue moonlight glinted off of the thick ss walls, but it wasn’t bright enough to illuminate the space. Darkness cloaked the


    interior until suddenly, Ronald flicked his wrist, and somehow conjured light.


    The moment the greenhouse was lit, | noticed the expanse of lush, fragrant flowers around us. | nced around, impressed by at


    all | supposed no one would dislike flowers. Personally, | found them lovely and soothing, though to be honest, | didn’t fam y


    them partu rly.


    | had heard from my father that my toother used to love flowers, which was why we had a rtivelyrge garden in the hour of


    Fein. Roses of all colors and varienes, violets, lilies, we had them all. ording to Father, Mother had been good at


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    nurturing them.


    1, however, had no talent for keeping nts alive, though Ector was rather gifted. He loved being in the dirt. tending to the


    flowers, carefully preening them with an expert Touch While 1 had desired to be a warrior. Ector had always carried a dream to


    be a gardener


    But it was an impossible dream for a high-rank werewolf. Our social standing wouldn''t allow for Ector to pursue his wants. so he


    never told our father.


    As | thought of my dear, kind brother, my heart ached a bit. If only he could see these beautiful, exotic blooms now.


    “| love flowers, Ronald remarked, interrupting the heavy silence. His soft blue eyes twinkled in the light in his hands and he


    smiled at me warmly “I love nting. It’s the only honest thing in the world, you know?”


    | followed him wordlessly through the greenhouse as he spoke. Many of the flowers around us were only half-blossomed. but


    they were still beautiful.


    “Flowers never lie, Ronald remarked strangely. They will only blossom under proper care, die if not treated wisely.”


    Before | could speak, the king’s cousin turned to face me.


    “| heard from Kaleb that you’re from Wega,” he remarked in his heavily ented voice. “It must be quite warm in the South


    now.”


    | nodded. “Yes,”


    As the thought of my homnd reached me, | felt a wave of sadness run through me. Wega. What was happening there now?


    Was Becky okay? Marley? How was the cureing along?


    And Asher.. my sweet Asher.


    How was he?


    Had he received my note? Was he looking for me?


    My brain began to spin out as | considered these possibilities. As much as | was epting of my circumstances, all | wanted was


    to be back home with my beloved. Instead, | was in this foreignnd, cornered by a man | didn’t know who clearly had something


    on his mind.


    | fought the urge to sigh and forced the lump in my throat down


    Ronald didn’t seem to notice my mncholic disposition and smiled again. “Why did Kaleb bring you here, Cass andra?”


    So, that was the reason he wanted to walk with me.


    He sought intel about the new guest in the castle.


    | began to stroll through the greenhouse and observed some of the flowers. | took a moment to use over what to say and then


    spoke.


    “| would think your cousin would have told you why I’m here. | remarked vaguely as | stared at a pale purple flower.


    The king’s cousin chuckled. “Yes, Kaleb did say something, but my cousin’s exnation was vague. As your answers are, Ma


    Cas sandra So, | gured | would just ask you myself


    He took a stepertoser to me, and the moment he did, the scent of its cologne reached my nose. Just like the flowers, there


    acarthuness to his sent,n there was something, elevated about it something unique that | couldn’t ce.


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    The Northern royal’s handsome but strange face studied me with an amused expression. His soft blue eyes trailed over me with


    an eagerness that sent a chill through me, and as he awaited my answer. | knew there was something more here. something he


    wasn’t saying. | knew he wanted to know more about me.


    | just didn’t know if | could trust him with the truth.


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