Time seemed to shatter either that, or it was my heartbeat that stuttered to a stop.
Alfonsina’s lips stretched into a sinister smile, her eyes gleaming with a twisted kind of anticipation. Across from her, Anselmo stared at me like prey, his tongue slowly curling along the edge of his fangs with grotesque delight.
Gosto tensed, fury rippling beneath his composed exterior as he straightened in his seat. His voice was tight with restraint, but the tremble betrayed his rising rage.
“King Gualtiero, you cannot be serious.”
Gualtiero’s gaze slid to me like a blade. “Oh, but I am.” His tone was silky and sharp. “If she wants to rise, she must pay the toll. Lucky for her…” He inhaled deeply, as if savoring my scent. “She’s quite the commodity.”
My eyes dropped to the raw, reddening bite mar
