WINTER

“Leave.”

With that single command from the King, Eira and the seamstress bowed deeply before slipping out of the chamber.

I stood frozen as Valtor began to cross the room, his gaze dark with a need that made my pulse falter. In the next heartbeat, he was in front of me.

Before I could even draw breath, his lips claimed mine possessively. His hands slid around my corseted waist, fingers pressing into my sides as he pulled me flush against him.

The kiss deepened, his ...