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Curiosity is an addictive drug, my father used to tell me when I asked too s of my childhood about my inquisitive nature, but I found myself lured by my interest Still, I refused to look at Max when I finally whispered, "How do you deny your own brother?"

His expression darkened "I didn’t turna royal wasn’t good enough He was the one anted to change the world"

I looked at thethe back of Xander’s head and trying to iine how I’d missed the resemblance between him and Max, not just in looks--their eyes were varied shades of molten steel--but also in build and manner Even their voices were similar I’d been so consunized just how alike they really were

Max tried to bridge the distance as he reached for my hand I jerked it away; I wasn’t yet ready for him to touch me "Every lie I discover leads back to you" The words were true enough, but even I understood that I rong, that I could trust Max Angelina would have warned me if he was disloyal

He inhaled deeply, an impatient sound, and Zafir turned in his seat, his black brows raised as he checked on the well-being of his prince Max shook his head and waved his guard away

"Charlie, please I’ you to choose sides; it’s not randmother Let me stand beside you" His hands closed aroundme intently "Have some faith that I have your best interests inin e, just as he’d done before when he’d written a note and slipped it intohten

To the palace To the queen’s palace

I closed ainst the seat behind me

The palace was a place like no other We were on the estate grounds long before the buildings careen lawns looked like they’d been hand-shorn, every blade a sliver of perfection spread out before us in sweeping verdant waves

Glittering ponds were stocked with beautifully feathered waterfowl, beyond which forested lands stretched for as far as ined it would look very lanced at Max, nerves and anticipation ht, I needed his support

"You’ll be fine," he assured ht he Jre"

I took a breath as the vehicle passed through gates that stood open, awaiting our arrival Both sides of the stone-tiled driveere lined with es that obscured my peripheral view and forced all rounds that opened up before us