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Not to mention the danger it posed for my family if we presented ourselves at the castle.

Nicholas couldn’t trust his guardsmen, and if whoever was behind the abductions recognized Melody and that she’d somehow managed to escape…

No, it was too risky. It didn’t matter that my body sang at the thought of seeing him. I’d much rather live with this endless pit in my stomach by staying away than walk into unknown enemy territory.

The last thing we needed was more eyes on us. The only reason I’d been able to find out as much as I had was by keeping my identity a secret. Stepping into the public eye for the entire kingdom to gossip about—that would risk everything.

Melody stood, patiently waiting for a perfectly concocted plan to magically fall out of my mouth.

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly, gripping the handle still, feeling a breeze waft in.

Her lips twisted, and her gaze jumped around the room, trying to figure out how we go forward. Her eyes caught on shadowed movement through the stain glass at the front door. Just when I thought my life couldn’t get any worse, I peered to my left to find Caine standing a foot away on the front stoop on the other side of the open door.

“Congratulations are in order,” he crooned, leaning lazily against the doorframe.

“For?” I asked.

“Making it to the final round.” He barged inside, shoving the door open all the way and knocking me off balance.

My fists curled at my sides, but I had to remember the role I played with him. Submissive.

“And you too, Miss Melody.” He tipped his hat toward her, the sight making my stomach churn.

She curtsied demurely. “Very kind of you, Mr. Caine. Shall I fetch you a drink?” She only knew a little about how awful this man was based on some of my chores at the tavern, but she hid it with such poise. Angering him only worsened my treatment, so she slipped into a carefully curated role around him as I did.

“If you please, dearest.” He dared to step forward, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss upon it. How she didn’t wince, I couldn’t fathom. Her sweet smile never slipped, embodying every part of a gracious hostess.

“Right away.” Her eyes slid to me for a split second, a silent way to say she’d return promptly.

One second, he fixed his predatory gaze on Melody’s curvy figure as she walked off, and the next, his hand was wrapped around my throat, my skull aching from where it’d just slammed against the solid wooden door too quickly for me to stop.

“Listen here, you little bitch. You and your sister will be going to that dinner, and you will do whatever it takes to secure either of your places on that throne.” Hot breath and spittle smothered my face as he hissed the whispered threat.

Realizing he was cutting off my access to air, I started to struggle.

“Oh, is that surprise in your eyes, little Ellanor? It’s a good fucking thing I was on the other side of that door to hear your ridiculously stupid plans to refuse your invitation. Well, let me make this real simple for you. I want you to think of that beautiful sister of yours.

“Now, imagine her lifeless, blue-tinged body in a hole, six feet in the ground, with nothing but dirt and worms for eternal company. Then, imagine you right alongside her. That’s what will happen if you don’t get me access to that fucking treasury and pay off your debts. Which are triple now, by the way, for your insolence,” he snarled. “Do I make myself clear?”

Darkness encroached around the edges of my vision, my lungs burning and desperate and building with pressure. My fingers desperately clawed at his firm set grip. Help, I needed help. I tried to kick, but from the ride back to Highcrest, my muscles still remained weak and strained. The fury in his eyes razed my skin, and when I thought that might be the last thing I would ever see, he squeezed harder for a split second before releasing me.

Immediately, I crashed onto the floor on my knees, one hand catching my fall while the other tried to support my chest as I choked on the air my body gasped violently to get.

“Nora?!” Melody returned, forgetting the glass in her hand. Before it shattered on the floor, she already lunged for my side. “What happened?!” she yelled, looking at Caine for an explanation.

The front door remained open, and Caine briefly glanced outside after Melody’s shout could no doubt be heard by people passing on the street. “I think our dear Nora got a little too excited. She was telling me all about your invitations to the castle, and how grateful she is for the opportunity.” His soft smile delivered a chilling message.

I barely heard Melody order him to leave over the cacophony of coughs that clawed their way out of my throat. After the door shut behind Caine with a harsh slam, Melody returned to my side, throwing her arms around me, helping me sit upright.

“KENZIE! GET A GLASS OF WATER, NOW,” she shouted into the house.

Eucinda’s cane clicked against the wood as she approached. “What on Myelle is going—”

“Watch the glass, mother,” Melody interrupted without turning around. “That horrible man is never allowed in this house again.” A rage like I’d never heard from my serene sister consumed the room. Stealing a glance at Eucinda through my tear-filled eyes confirmed she was just as surprised by her daughter.

“Here’s the water,” Kenzie announced as she rounded the corner.

“Mind the glass, dear,” Eucinda warned.