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He speaks softly, calhtened ofNot hts, not even this ability that is the root of all h, for now, at least My feet

Like the wretched coward that I ah theht of a thousand cameras presses down on me I don’t have much time until Lucas or, worse, the Sentinels, find me I just need to breathe I just need to see the sky aboveon the balcony a full ten seconds before I realize it’s raining, washing one, replaced by fierce, ugly tears that track down my face Thunder rumbles somewhere far off and the air is warone The heat has broken and su on, nohand closes around my arm, I almost scream Two Sentinels stand over me, their eyes dark behind theirrowls, but it doesn’t sound respectful at all

"Let ulp down air like I’ive me a few minutes, please--"

But I’m not their master They don’t answer to me No one does

"You heard my bride," another voice says His words are firo"

When the prince steps out onto the balcony, I can’t help but feel a rush of relief The Sentinels straighten at his presence, both inclining their heads in his direction The one holding me speaks up "We must keep the Lady Titanos to her schedule," he says, but he loosens his grip "It’s orders, sir"

"Then you have new orders," Maven replies, his voice like ice "I will accompany Mareena back to her lessons"

"Very well, sir," the Sentinels say in unison, unable to refuse a prince

When they stoh out loud I didn’t realize it before, but , and I have to clenchif not polite and pretends not to notice

"We have working showers inside, you know"

My hands wipe atbehind only an ely runny nose and some black makeup Thankfully, er stuff than I a ht," he says,to hide er "I understand, you know"

Do you, Prince? Do you understand what it’s like to be taken away fro else? To lie every minute of every day for the rest of your life? To know there’s soth to deal with his knowing s about s"

His expression sours at rimace "You think I don’t kno difficult it is to be here? With these people?" He casts a glance over his shoulder like he’s worried so except the rain and thunder "I can’t say what I want, do what I want--with my mother around I can barely even think what I want And my brother--!"

"What about your brother?"

The words stick in his mouth He doesn’t want to say the, he’s talented, he’s powerful--and I’m his shadow The shadow of the flame"

Slowly, he exhales, and I realize the air around us is strangely hot "Sorry," he adds, taking a step away, letting the air cool Before my eyes, he melts back into the Silver prince more suited to banquets and dress uniforms "I shouldn’t have said that"