Together, Prince Gregory and I walked into the royal coven council meeting, hand-in-hand, presenting what I hoped was a united front. I wanted King Draven to know I wasn't weak, that his son was now with me, that we'd fully welcomed him into the Pendragon Coven.

And sure enough, the moment we entered the cavernous room, King Draven's gaze zeroed in on our clasped hands, and he narrowed his eyes. I stood a little straighter, refusing to let him intimidate me. Just because he was ...