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"That sounds difficult," she hummed.

She had earned my trust. It was time for me to earn hers.

I took a deep breath, preparing to spill all my secrets. Then I stopped short. Shouldn’t I give her a little time first? For all I knew, she would run out of the room and tell the first person she met.

"I need to rest. Can we talk tonight just after sunfall, before the ball?"

She gave me a knowing glance. "You promise you won’t run away from this conversation?"

"I’ll be there."

To my astonishment, she placed a soft kiss atop my green, slimy head. "I’ll see you tonight, Forrest."

Just after sunfall, I washed and dressed quickly for the Full Moon Revel and then paced, waiting for Georgia’s arrival.

I had invited her to meet me in my rooms, disgusting though they were. What I needed to say was too dangerous to whisper on the terrace. It was time to tell Georgia what was really at stake here. It was time to be honest.

After all, more than one kingdom hung in the balance.

And maybe more than one heart too.

Harry had brought in some wine and food to nibble on. Though I could tell his teeth were on edge the entire time.

"What if she tells someone?" he asked.

"What if she doesn’t?" I replied. The smallest glimmer of hope had lodged itself in my chest, and I feared I would never be able to remove it.

Harry stared back at me in shock. "I’ve never seen you like this."

I met his gaze. "I’ve never seen anyone like her."

Harry clapped a hand on my shoulder. "I can see you’ve already lost your heart. Just be careful not to lose your head. She’s only just found out, and this secret could bury us all."

I ran a nervous hand through my still-damp hair. "I know. I dragged you into all of this, and for that, I’ll always be regretful. How is your iron heart, Harry?" I asked.

He gave a far away, almost wistful look. "Heavy, but it’s not your fault. It wasn’t even your bargain."

"Still, I should have said something else. Something more."

There was a knock on the door, and I looked pointedly at Harry.

He rolled his eyes. "Goodnight."

I opened the door, feeling nervous. I scarcely stopped myself from fiddling with my tunic sleeves like some sort of school boy. "Georgia," I said, gesturing for her to come inside.

I led her over to a small settee and side table with a cheese tray and two goblets of wine. I offered a glass to her.

She accepted it. "What’s this for?"

"You may want it," I warned.

At the solemnity of my tone, she took a large swig from her wine glass, to fortify her nerves I supposed.

"Okay, I’m ready," she said. "Tell me everything."

"Don’t you want a bite to eat first?" I asked.

She bit her lip. "Truthfully, I don’t think I could keep it down."