The words hung in the air like a blade. Sharp. And piercing.
Luna's palms turned sweaty hearing this, her heart hammering wildly in her chest as her head snapped to look at the King, who had a cold expression on his face.
Luna's blood ran cold.The last time?Her heart continued to pound against her rib cage. She wanted to stand, to protest, to tell him that she hadn't sent Belle here, that she had never spoken of another man. But the look on the King's face told her it wouldn't matter. He had made his decision.
Aunt Marion's face drained of color, turning white as chalk. For fourteen years, she had shielded Luna from this fate. She had hidden her, protected her. Did this have to happen now? Was there really nothing they could do?
"No—" Aunt Marion whispered, the word barely audible, barely escaping her mouth. But Draven didn't even acknowledge her.
