Two servants came at his command, gripping my arms tightly.
Shame and fury burned in me. “Let me go!” I cried.
But no one listened, Orion even stepped forward himself and reached to snatch the crown from my head. “Stop!”
At the sound of a familiar voice, I looked up
Before Orion could react, a figure stepped between us and seized his wrist, forcefully shoving him back.
Caught off
guard, Orion stumbled several steps and nearly fell.
The world spun around une, but then I felt Rowan’s arms catch and steady me
Orion pointed at Rowan, furious. “How dare you! Let go of my fiancée!”
Rowan stood tall, calm and composed. “With all due respect, Your Highness, Princess Claire and I are betrothed by royal decree. Are you planning to defy the king and steal his chosen son–in–law’s belde?”
Orion’s face twisted with rage “So this was your plan to win my favor calling in someone to stage a scene like this?
“Don’t think this will make me care about you!” he snarled. “This is your last chance–tell him yourself. Who is it you’re really marrying?”
reached out and tool Rowan’s roughi, calloused hand, raising it high for Orion to see. My lips curled into a mocking smile.
“As you can see.”
Torlon, I’ve told you more than once–the man I intend to marry is not you.”
Orion shook his head in disbelief, backing away as though the ground beneath him had given out. Had the servants not caught him, he might have fallen
“No.. impossible. You were going to marry me. Everyone knows you love me.”
His head buzzed with confusion, everything spinning.
Still unwilling to accept it, he shoved past the servants and lunged toward me.
But a thunderous voice from behind stopped him in his tracks.
“You disgrace! You were so determined to marry the Waverly girl, and now you’re making a scene in front of Claire? What are you playing at?
Orion turned and froze at the glimpse of deep violet fabric. His lips parted, but no words came.
When he finally spoke, it was through gritted teeth, finger jabbing at Rowan.
“Father, you said Claire’s husband would be heir to the throne. Rowan’s no royal–blooded prince! He can’t”
“What if I say he can?”
Chapter 5
Orion stood frozen in place, his face locked in a rigid expression that made him look lilor a clown.
‘Father… what do you mean by this?”
The lding ignored him completely. Instead, he looked at Rowan with warmth in his eyes and gestured to the
