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Soleil quickly pasted a smile on her face, not wanting anyone to think she was a shrew.

Ilie helped her out of the carriage. “Milady?”

“Y-yes?” she replied absently, her mind still focused on finding ways to make her hair look just a bit more presentable.

“They’re all here.”

“I know, you already told me that—-”

“I don’t just mean your student, milady.”

What?

Slowly, Soleil looked up...and did her best not to let her jaw drop open.

Curses. Double curses. Triple curses.

Why didn’t the blasted man tell her that when he saideveryone,he meantthemost important denizens in this side of the realm?

Her new student, Miss Zari Baltimore, was easy enough to recognize from the photos Soleil had seen of her. Petite, with an almost boyish figure, the girl had long, ash blonde hair and large gray eyes that were almost too bright to stare directly at.

A soul seer coming to her powers,Soleil thought.

Beside the girl was an enigmatic-looking gentleman, someone who seemed to be more at home in the darkness than anywhere else. Dressed entirely in black, the dark-haired Lord Alexandru Gheorgiu was almost too captivatingly handsome to be the kingdom’s most infamous hunter. The way his sleepy, green-eyed gaze surveyed his surroundings was languid and graceful, but Soleil wasn’t fooled. Those were the eyes of a killer, one who wouldn’t hesitate to crush anyone or anything that stood in his way.

Standing slightly apart from the couple were the two other men making up the Galere.

Lord Mihail, the Marquis of Sangre, bore a marked resemblance to his younger brother, Lord Alexandru, but his features weremore classically defined. He had a broader build as well, his bearing more stoic than predatory.

Lord Adrijan, the Marquis of Aquarius and the youngest of the Galere, had an air of tranquility about him, as was inherent of his kind. He had a boyish appeal about him, with his smiling good looks, so much so that Soleil had to remind herself this was also the man who could command the oceans and seas to his will. He was not one to be underestimated, and he would not have been made a part of the Galere if he were.

The two marquises had bowed at the sight of her, murmuring their greetings, but neither of them moved from their position, their stances alert and protective towards the couple between them—-

The Duke of Brimstone,Soleil thought uneasily. That long golden hair, the Viking-like bearing, and those strange eyes that seemed to alternate between shunning and reflecting all the colors of the rainbow – even if it had been her first time to see the duke, she would have still recognized him, with the kind of power emanating from him.

This was the man prophesied to bring about the world’s destruction if he did not find his heartkeeper in time—-

Soleil’s gaze moved to the petite, pretty brunette standing beside the duke.

So the rumors were real,Soleil thought.

Yes,Ilie answered in her mind, and his gaze became impassive. The rumors were indeed real. Georgina McCartney, a human, was the demon duke’s heartkeeper...and Ilie’s.

Chapter Four

“Although I am certain the information provided in our welcome kit is more than sufficient, I hope you don’t mind if we go over our kingdom’s history just a bit. Knowledge of the kingdom’s rules is essential for anyone either residing in or visiting Chalys.”

“I would love to hear more about the kingdom,” Zari admitted. “Everything still feels surreal, especially the way we’re supposed to dress.” She glanced down at her dress, which was more like a gown, with its yards of muslin and lace.

“I understand how overwhelming everything is,” Soleil said gently. “So please don’t hesitate to let me know of any concerns you may have.” Her dimples flashed. “But I can also promise you, once you’ve gotten used to the way we live, you may not want to leave our kingdom again.”

Alexandru quietly followed behind the two, content to study the older girl as she spoke of Chalys’ history to his pet. He called to his brother through their blood bond.What do you know of this woman besides being the heartkeeper of Lunare’s marquis?For better or for worse, Lady Soleil Orpheline would be the one personally in charge of Zari’s studies in the two years she would spend in ANEX – and away from him.

Mihail, who stood in a semi-circle with the rest of the Galere and George, answered,Not much, I’m afraid. She works with the Enforcers, and so most of the information about her is kept confidential.

“I can’t believe she’s really your heartkeeper, Ilie,” George marveled under her breath. “She seems too wholesome for you.” Beside her, the demon duke grinned while Adrijan politely pretended to cough.

“I honestly thought you’d end up with someone born outside Chalys, probably someone who doesn’t mind wearing leather and collars—-”