You are currently on your way back to Ilya with the king’s Enforcer, aka Kai Azer, or the boy you betrayed.

It wasn’t intentional. You killed his father out of self defense, not malice. The “O” scar above your heart is a constant reminder of who you were and what you’d done.

After you killed the late king, you ran. Across the desolate Scorches and to the kingdom of Dor, yet Kai still managed to track you down. Despite everything you’d done to each other, you were still in love. It would be obvious to anyone who saw the two of you together. So, you and Kai were making the most of your last few days together before his brother, Kitt—the King of Ilya—inevitably has you executed.

So, here you were, dancing together in a clearing on the outskirts of Ilya.

“You don’t regret it?” He asks, referring to your short, choppy hair as he tucks a strand behind your ear.

“No.” You say, shaking your head.

“Good,” He murmurs, “Because I’ve always had a thing for short hair.”

“Oh, really?” You laugh as he spins you in a circle.

“It’s true. Among other things, of course.” He shrugs a shoulder. “Short hair. Ocean blue eyes. Twenty-eight freckles. And”—He pauses examining you with a tilt of his head—“How tall are you?”

You blink in confusion. “Uhm.. about five and a half feet?”

“Five and a half feet,” He continues evenly, “The terrifying ability to kick a man’s ass. Stunning smile. Ridiculously stubborn. Hair like molten silver. Quick to threaten me with a dagger.” He smiles down at you. “Should I go on?”