Isabella’s POV 

The creaking of the bookshelf subsided, and beyond it…

A narrow, dimly lit hallway. Even from my seat, I could feel the cool air rushing past me.

King Victor rose smoothly from his chair, gesturing for me to follow. As was the case with most of his actions, under each seemingly innocent suggestion, an undercurrent of authority made it clear that it was not, in fact, a suggestion.

In other ...