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They ive you thirty ot this," Kane replied without turning back

His friends were staying in the Realm of Blood and Shadows to protect their weakened women William was their backup

"See you in thirty," William said with a wave

"I said no"

"Twenty-five, then"

"Frustrating," Kane h the doorway, entered the charred reh the air

Josephina’s heart thundered in her chest What if she failed, like she’d done during ot hurt? She would forever blahtly so

Yeah, but what if you succeed?

Froht she spotted the warrior hite-and-gold wings, the one who’d brought her new clothing Butsurely not That wouldher

She searched the darkness, but found no other sign of him

"This way," Kane said

He led her toward the palace Whenever a guard passed, he would shield her with his body, doing his best to hide them both Finally, they reached the door to one of the secret passages

Inside, Josephina took the lead Down the hall Up a flight of steps Down a flight of steps Around a corner Around another corner Trading one passage for another,herself time to think, until they reached their destination

Her heart druh the tay mirror, she saw the throne room was as crowded as she’d expected

"You ready?" Kane asked

No Yes She had better be "I aot this, sweetheart I believe in you"

Now, to believe in herself Josephina pushed open the door, and with her head held high, entered the throng

Two girls spotted her and gasped They told their friends, and their friends gasped One set of eyes after another found her

Josephina walked forward, Kane behind her; the crowd parted,way Soon, the royal family came into view, each member perched on a throne

Leopold spotted her and stood Synda waved and s The queen scowled

"Well, well," the king said, rubbing his jaw "You have returned" His gaze slid to Kane and filled with satisfaction "Tired of her already?"

Kane wound his arm around her and kissed her temple "I’ll never be tired of her She’s mine I chose her then, and I choose her now I’ll choose her tomorrow and every day after"

Sweet heat No one had ever He’d just said

Murh the crowd Josephina turned in a circle, nored her and talked down to her and laughed at her pain No one had ever offered to help her Now, envy looked back at her

In a single iven worth to the female no one had wanted This man He wasn’t a disaster He was a savior

And he’sTiberius frowned "Then why are you here, Lord Kane?"

Do it Finish this "He heard you were looking forfor me," Josephina said "I decided to save you the trouble and settle things"

"You want to settle things?" The king perked up,to the space at his feet "Then bow before arden and accept your sentence when it’s pronounced"

"And what, exactly, did I do wrong?" she asked, lifting her chin

A pause Then, "Just like your ht have entertained over this Bludgeoned any sadness, strangled any guilt

But then, realization struck her He blamed her for her mother’s decline and death, and always had Alould

Had he actually loved the woman, in his oarped way?

"I would like to approach you, yes" Eyes narrowing, she moved away froth was required not to ghost her fingers through his hair, enjoying one last touch before Séduire forever changed Before she changed

At the dais, the guard backed away, allowing her to draw closer In front of the king, she bowed her head, presenting the perfect picture of submission "Majesty," she said with a curtsy