She was not meant to be noticed. A lady in waiting soft spoken, dutiful, invisible among silk and lace. Yet somehow, Aerion’s gaze found her every time she entered the room.

It began with glances. Then words. Then something wordless lingering too long when she handed him his cup, standing too close when she adjusted his cloak.

Tonight, she shouldn’t have been here. The princess slept, and the castle was silent. But the dragon prince waited in the candlelight, his hair unbound, his temper barely leashed.

“You shouldn’t have come,” she whispered, closing the door behind her.

Aerion’s smile was slow, dangerous. “And yet, you did.”