Page 58

Lothian.

Polin.

Orean.

Kyen.

Fiel.

Jericho.

Fynn.

So many had died because of her choices. Or, as Domitius would say, so many had been sacrificed for a greater cause. Yet, was this crown worth this much death? This much regret?

And maybe it was because of the alcohol or the thoughts clouding her senses that she had not heard the footsteps snap against the floor down the hall. Or perhaps it was her desire for some sort of torment that she hadn’t noticed the shift in the air until his voice crept over her skin. Until it was too late to head in the other direction.

“What are you doing here, Princess?”

Sharp needles pricked the back of Kallie’s neck at the sound of Sebastian’s gravelly voice. The heat of the whiskey coating her throat and stomach did little to sedate the ice crawling over her skin.

She hadn’t seen Sebastian since they had arrived over a week ago. Apparently, hiding within the confinements of one’s castle was an inherited trait for the Dronias men.

Unfortunately for Kallie, Sebastian had come out of hiding.

“Sebastian,” Kallie said, his name harsh on her tongue. She turned around, her steps wavering slightly.

Sebastian stood only a few feet away, and the prince didn’t bother to disguise his gaze dipping down her body, lingering for far too long.

He arched a brow, silently repeating his questions.

Kallie’s fingers twitched at her side, and she willed her legs to remain steady. “I was on my way to see your brother.”

The corner of Sebastian’s lip twitched. “Was but not anymore?”

Kallie blinked, but she was too slow to cover up her hesitation. She tripped over her words. “Oh, I forgot something back in my room that I was going to give him.”

Sebastian stepped forward, and Kallie stepped back. She stumbled. Reaching out, she tried to catch herself on the wall, but Sebastian was quicker. He grabbed her waist, and her entire body turned frigid at the contact.

“Steady, Princess,” Sebastian whispered, leaning forward, his nostrils flaring. “Wouldn’t want my brother to see you stumbling, now would we?”

Sebastian tilted his head, his gaze dropping to her chest. Kallie’s jaw popped from the pressure of her teeth grinding against each other as he invaded her space. Panic rose in her throat. She tried to move back, but his grip remained firm on her arms, locking her in place.

She scrambled to reach for her gift, but it was a sluggish weight in the pit of her stomach. The whiskey weighing it down.

With a finger, he lifted her chin. Kallie tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened around her.

His gaze fell to her bosom, and the smirk he wore made Kallie’s skin itch. He released her chin and pulled out the flask that was peeking out of her corset.

Shit.

“A little early for a drink, don’t you think, Princess?”

Sebastian popped open the flask with one hand and sent the stopper bouncing across the floor. He poured the rest of the contents into his mouth. He pocketed the flask inside of his jacket. And his green gaze never left her face. His eyes darkened, a hunger simmering beneath them.

When he raised his hand, Kallie at last shook herself from her stupor.

She snatched his wrist, twisting it behind his back with a quick, smooth maneuver.