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I peer back at Rhett, searching his face for any hint of what’s going on. All I see is that cruel smile, promising consequences I don’t even want to imagine.

“No!” I shout, my voice finally breaking free, fueled by a surge of anger. “I didn’t steal anything! Mom, call Soren!” My declaration echoes in the sterile hospital room, bouncing off the walls and amplifying my panic. I turn to my mother, but her gaze is fixed on Rhett, terror etched into every line of her face.

My breath comes in short, sharp gasps as I struggle to make sense of the situation. I desperately try to come up with a plan. I need to get out of this situation, and the only person who can help me is Soren.

My gaze moves to Bianca, who laughs at my frantic expression. It’s only then that I notice her claws, glinting dangerously as she moves closer to my father, stopping at the base of his throat.

“Nobody will be calling anyone,” she purrs, her voice dripping with satisfaction. She digs one claw into the hollow of his throat, and my heart drops into my stomach. I take a step toward her without thinking.

“Try it, Aubrey,” Bianca taunts, turning her sharp gaze toward me. “He’ll be dead before you reach me.”

My feet freeze in place as fear grips me, knowing Rhett will intervene; I know I could kick Bianca’s ass into next week, Rhett not so much.

“You both need to leave before Soren gets here!” I snarl.

Rhett’s laughter cuts through my thoughts like a knife, a chilling sound that sends a shiver down my spine. I whirl to face him, my heart pounding so hard I fear it might burst from my chest.

“Oh, you haven’t heard?” Rhett asks, his voice laced with mock surprise. His eyes glitter with malicious glee as he leans in closer, invading my personal space.

“There’s a bounty on your head,” he continues, his voice dripping with disdain. “The only way you’re not going to be sentenced to death for betraying the king is if you mark me… and I mark you.”

My mind struggles to make sense of that. A bounty? On my head?

“Excuse me?” I spit at him; and my gaze darts to my mother, who whimpers at his confirmation.

“The council put a bounty out for you,” she sobs, and I can only stare at her in disbelief. Soren wouldn’t. He couldn’t possibly have betrayed me like this.

“No,” I whisper, shaking my head in denial. “Soren wouldn’t do this.”

“He already has,” Rhett sneers, his lips curling into a cruel smirk. “And now it’s time for you to pay the price.”

My heart sinks even farther. Tears build up behind my eyes as anger boils within me. How could they all just betray me like this?

Before I can fully process these emotions, Rhett moves forward again, pressing dangerously close as he whispers into my ear.

“But there is a way out for you, and I can’t just let them kill my mate. Not when I’m not done with her yet.”

Horror drowns out all other thoughts and senses. I stare at Rhett, disbelief coursing through my veins mingled with anger and fear. This can’t be happening. It has to be some kind of sick joke. Just another fucked up game Rhett has decided to torment me with.

“You’re lying!” I protest, my voice wavering despite my attempt to sound confident. “Soren loves me! He would never…” My statement trails off as Soren’s face flashes in my mind; his kind eyes, his gentle smile. He wouldn’t let this happen. He couldn’t. Max would never forgive him.

Rhett only smirks, “Oh, but he would. He did. What did you think would happen once he learned you betrayed him?”

My hands clench into fists as I struggle to control my rising panic. It can’t be true. It can’t be. The look on Rhett’s face tells me otherwise. He’s reveling in my pain, enjoying every second of it. “She really thought he could still love her after what she did?” Bianca cackles like it is the most absurd thing she has ever heard.

She shifts on the edge of my father’s bed, drawing my attention. Her lips curl into a smirk, her eyes glinting. She leans forward, her voice dripping with false sympathy.

“Love has nothing to do with it, darling,” she purrs, each word a dagger to my heart. “You’ve committed treason just by lying to the King.” I look frantically between Rhett and Bianca, searching for any sign this is all an elaborate prank, their expressions remain cold and unyielding.

Rhett’s smirk only widens, amusement in his eyes. “You’re right,” he says, drawing out each word as if savoring it. “Soren wouldn’t allow it. But…he might not have a choice.”

My heart drops into my stomach at his ominous confession, and a sense of dread washes over me. What could he possibly mean? Has Soren been overthrown? Is he being held captive?

Before I can voice any of these fears, Bianca speaks up again, her tone mocking. “Oh darling, you really are clueless, aren’t you? Your precious Soren has no say in this matter.” She leans back in her seat, crossing one leg over the other nonchalantly. “You see, your little rebellion has caused quite a stir in the kingdom. The council has deemed you a threat to their power and stability.”

Bile rises in my throat. The room spins around me. It feels like I’m living through some nightmare I can’t wake up from.

“No.” The word barely escapes my lips as tears well up in my eyes.