Sylvie’s POV:
I couldn’t tell him the truth. Of course not. He was the King's son.
“I… I was just…” Oh god, my mind was blank. His presence too overwhelming to think properly.
“Have you done this before?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous, his eyes narrowed, searching my face for any hint of deceit. “Sneaked out?”
I shook my head quickly, perhaps too quickly, but panic was overwhelming me in a way I hadn’t felt before. “No. No, this was the first time. I promise, Ash. I just… I just wanted to get some fresh air. The palace felt so suffocating.” I hoped the slight tremor in my voice sounded like genuine distress, not terror of being caught.
He didn't move, his gaze still fixed on me. “You could have told me,” he murmured, his voice softening just a fraction, the edge of his anger
