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“I don’t need to. I have others do it for me,” I retort, grinning wider. She scoffs, rolling her fiery purple eyes.

“Close your eyes,” I command, and she does—surprisingly. I circle behind her, placing a hand on her upper back, and she flinches. “I won’t hurt you,” I say, my voice gentler. Then, I slide my right arm under her arm, setting my hand on her stomach. She goes stiff. With her being so reckless, I am surprised she hasn’t struck me yet. “Try not to enjoy the feeling of my hands on you too much,” I add, my tone teasing.

“You are a royal pain in my a?—”

“Shh—feel that anger. It’s between my hands settled in your core. Feel for your magic and grab it.” She raises her hands out, palms up. A moment later, a flame flickers to life, hovering over both her hands. It’s small, but it’s there. I pull my hands away and move to face her. Her grin is wide and genuine. There is a twinkle in her lavender eyes, like the stars during twilight. It’s almost enchanting—mesmerizing even.

“I’m doing it!” she exclaims, her voice bright with excitement. The joy is infectious.

“You are,” I say, nodding. I catch myself smiling at her amusement. Then, I quickly wipe it away, irritation flaring at my vulnerability. I can’t afford to feel this way. I will just have to change that. Anger simmers at my own reaction.

“How did you know that would work?” she asks.

“Feeling for my magic in anger worked for me too. I won’t always be around to baby you. You have to learn to summon it without emotions. But now that you know what it feels like, it will be easier.” I keep my tone cold, no longer playful.

Her smile fades, and the flame dies. Frustration returns, shadowing her face. “Go. Go join the others,” I instruct, nodding toward Kylo and the magic wielders. She walks off without a backward glance.

Deciding I’ve had enough of the prisoners for one day, I head into the palace to find my father and discuss the takeovers.

Heat from my fire magic blazes against my face, causing sweat to bead on my brow. I put every ounce of strength and energy into training, pouring myself into mastering my magic—myfire magic.

Captain Kylo’s approach is surprisingly kind and thorough. I didn’t expect that. Maybe not everyone employed by the royals is as evil as they are. But then again, Prince Lukene wasn’t exactly cruel to me either. The memory of his hands on my body keeps pulling at my thoughts. They felt warm and powerful through my clothes, like a little sinful delight best enjoyed in privacy.

Lukene’s eyes were playful and flirtatious. Those formidable emerald eyes—ugh. He clearly enjoys toying with me. I won’t give in. I’ll fight with him every step of the way—for any and everything. I can’t believe I told him I wanted to stab him. What came over me? He just brings that out of me with that stupid dimple on his right cheek.

“Are you paying attention, prisoner?” Kylo asks. His voice cuts through my thoughts, and I look at him with guilty eyes. The prince was on my mind again. “I didn’t catch your name earlier. What is it?” he asks, his tone surprisingly polite.

Gods and goddesses, he really does have a kind soul. “Reign. Sorry. I’m just excited I actually have fire magic,” I say, my voice brimming with excitement. I honestly thought I was a Nomatrab.

His assessing gaze softens, and the smile he plasters on his face seems genuine. “It’s pretty neat, isn’t it?” He opens his hand, and a ball of fire forms hovering above his palm. I can feel the heat radiating off it, kissing my face.

I know my eyes must be wide and full of amusement because I have never seen something like this in my entire life. I hope one day I can do this. It’s as if he can read my mind.

“You will be able to do this one day,” he says, grinning from ear to ear. “We will teach you.”

He sayswe, and I assume he means himself and Prince Lukene. The Prince is infuriating yet alluring. I find I like his attention—I think… but I also want to stab him.

It is confusing. He is kind, but also cold. It’s probably the typical royal mind games they play on people, and here I am, almost falling for it. Well, I won’t. I refuse to fall for his games.

He would probably bed me, then slit my throat and not think twice about it. I have heard the stories of the infamous ‘Dark Prince.’ No royals can truly be trusted.

But I did trust him at that moment, when he touched my back and stomach. I don’t know how I knew, but I did. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.

It doesn’t matter. He will meet the same fate as the other royals

“All right!” Kylo calls out. “Rest up tonight. We’ll train again tomorrow.”

We line up and leave the training room. I follow Larah and Elm, laughing at something Larah says about one of the guards. Before we part ways to our respective hallways, Elm braids his fingers then kisses them, and Larah and I do the same in return.

I head to my room, eager to digest the day. As soon as I’m inside, the guard locks the door. I walk to the bathroom, wondering if I can manage to sit in the bath. It’s the same as before—I can step in but can’t sit.

I wash up and slip into a black nightgown, then lay in bed, exhausted yet restless. I toss and turn, feeling hot and sore.

Getting up, I open the window. The cool wind is refreshing as it softly tosses around loose strands of my hair. From the weather outside, it seems summer is at an end and fall is approaching. I drink in the fresh air. I don’t think I will ever take it for granted again—not after being locked up in the Hollows for years.

I take in the view before me. The sun begins to sink lower in the sky, casting hues of golden orange, reds, and purples across the sprawling kingdom. My eyes scan the surroundings, taking in the grandeur and the grim disparity that lay before me.

Directly below, the palace grounds stretch out with perfectly manicured gardens. Beyond that are massive, luxurious mansions, boasting of wealth. Gardens continue around the cobblestone walkways, which go around the homes and streets. The wealth and beauty fade as I look further and further from the palace. Houses become smaller, dimmer. Gardens turn to weeds, while cobblestone pathways turn to dirt.