He remained focused on the book in his lap. "You know there's nothing I can do once your father's had decided anything."

I loomed over the king's advisor, praying he would take pity on me. Dunston was my only hope to talk some sense into my father. "Then get him to change his mind."

"Even if I could, I'm not sure I want to." Lord Dunston raised his gaze from the book and reached toward his gla.s.s to sip the thick, red liquid. He swallowed, then resumed pretending not to care that my life, as I knew it, would end in six months.

"I order you to try anyway." I lifted my chin, hoping he'd see how futile it was to fight me.

"You do?" His English accent thickened. "Shall I tell His Majesty King Lefevre that your wishes now overrule his?"

I groaned, knowing I was screwed. "Please, Dunston, I'm begging you to help me." I dropped to my knees in front of him, hoping he'd finally make eye contact with me and see how badly I needed his cooperation. "I can't marry some girl just because he tells me to."

"And why is that? Is he no longer your king and father?" A smile played at the corner of his mouth.

"You're messing with me," I said through my tight jaw. "You can't expect me to go along with Dad's antiquated thinking."

Dunston growled. "Our sovereign must be obeyed. I don't make the laws, but my sworn duty is to enforce them."

"You can't possibly think a forced marriage is good for anyone. Why won't you help me?" I peered into Dunston's mug and my mouth watered at the tangy metallic scent wafting from it. I hadn't fed in several days - not since my father had laid down the law and threatened to cut me off from my inheritance. I'd totally lost my appet.i.te. The contents of the mug, however, was bringing it back. "You're his most trusted advisor. He'll listen to you."

He dropped the book in his lap and his eyes shot to mine. "Has it occurred to you that maybe this will be good for you? Remy, it's time you moved on."

My stomach tightened. So that's what this was about. Dunston didn't support my dream to find the girl I really wanted, the girl I couldn't purge from my mind, even years later. I had to make him understand it wasn't as simple as finding someone to replace her. "I'm not ready to move on. If you were me, could you let the love of your life go?"

"Actually, yes. Realities change as one matures. Inevitably, you'll find that how you thought you felt back then isn't at all how you feel now. You're chasing a fantasy, Remy. I would think that when a girl nearly kills you, then maybe that girl isn't the right one."

I straightened my spine and thrust my shoulders back. "She bit me. I would've turned into a werewolf."

His jaw ticked as he exhaled. "You know d.a.m.n well you were too sickly to survive the transformation. If I hadn't come along-"

"I know what I feel." My hands fisted at my side.

"You barely knew her." He flipped the page of his book, but I could tell he wasn't really reading.

I had his attention, but not in a good way. h.e.l.l, I'd take what I could get.

"For three summers I was with her when you guys were wondering where I'd gone. I know her. And I'm not moving on until I see for myself if she still feels the same or not." My lungs filled deeply and I continued. "Dunston, I love her."

He stood and slammed the book on the end table, jostling his mug of blood. "No, you don't. You have a duty to your country and your king before all else. I won't risk losing you to some little werewolf girl who can't control herself!"

His face flushed. I was dangerously close to really p.i.s.sing him off. At that moment, I didn't care. I just wanted to be out from under my dad's latest order, anyway I could accomplish it.

I took a step back and angled my head. "Oh, I get it. You're old-school - still prejudiced against werewolves."

He scoffed and his gaze faltered. "I am not. I simply prefer not to put my king's son in danger." Dunston leaned down to lift the mug of blood.

"The damage is already done. She did what she did and couldn't help it. But you gave me your blood and saved me. We're no longer at war with werewolves - not here anyway." I took a few steps forward to close the distance between us. "I get that some people can't let go of ancient prejudices, but we live on Ile de la Paix. Island of Peace, right? We're neutral here. No werewolf would attack me knowing I'm a vampire, especially with me being the king's son."

He threw his shoulders back and looked me square in the eye. "You would do well to remember that there are those who would take pleasure in the fall of a warlock king, especially one so beloved and respected by his people. I hate to think what the terrorists would make of this country if they gained power. What would happen to our people? To us?" Dunston shook his head. "They may never have tried to take over had you not been turned and upset the natural order of things."

"Wait." I held up a hand. "Someone tried to take over?"

"Yes. As a human, you would've been physically weak and eventually die. But as a vampire, you have eternity." He waved a hand over the length of me. "Now you're a threat to them. You're no longer easy to kill and you have all your father's resources - his money, his allies. Their dreams of taking control have been squashed."

"Who? We have no enemies."

Dunston sighed and reached for his mug again. "You're naive. We're on an island conveniently situated between Europe and America. We have peace, prosperity and our people are productive. We're a wealthy country without debt, but we're still small enough to be conquered. We've done our best to leave you out of island politics, but you're a legal adult now. I see no reason to continue sheltering you from the truth."

"Fine. Whatever," I said. "I'll help Dad out and do anything I can to keep our island safe."

"There's more." The look in Dunston's eyes made my shoulders bunch up.

"What is it?" I asked.

"We've received threats. As near as we can tell, it's originating from a werewolf faction in Rome. But someone on the island is doing the dirty work. This is why your father is determined to see you settled. People love a wedding. It will create loyalty, a united front. And having eligible prospects brought here, especially from Rome, gives His Majesty the opportunity to mingle with foreign dignitaries and create more allies."

c.r.a.p. My happiness was being sold out for the good of my country. "In this day and age, no one gets married at nineteen. No one's going to buy that. There has to be another way."

"When you find another way, let us know." His lips thinned into a straight line.

"I'll make you a deal: you help me locate Cinderella and I'll behave like a perfect gentleman at the ball." Geez, I wished I knew her real name. Her pretend-name only made her appear more like the fantasy Dunston had accused her of being. "I'll put on a good show and make it easier for my dad to mingle with anyone he needs to. And I won't burn any bridges."

Dunston's exhale proved I was wearing him down. "I'll see what I can do."

Chapter Six.

Cydney Just minutes until the end of my last cla.s.s and I couldn't bear one more second. I needed some air. I needed to run. Every nerve ending, every muscle and every cell in my body commanded me to morph.

When I felt the little tremble that told me the wolf was near, I focused on Jack. Not the moment I'd bitten him, but the way he'd look at me those days right before the kiss. Just the image of him slowed my breathing and my shimmering limbs steadied.

I missed him. I missed our hikes, our talks and the way I'd felt when we were together.

At last, the bell rang. I bolted from the room and tore out of the school. I wasn't taking any chances. Skidding to a stop outside the building by the curb, I scanned the area for my aunt's Audi. I breathed deeply and fast, like I'd run miles, instead of less than a block. But I wasn't winded. Just afraid of losing control.

"Hey." Winnie sidled up beside me. "So did the rest of your first day improve?"

"It could've been better." Her presence calmed me instantly. If only I could put Winnie in a bottle and take her to every cla.s.s. Well, I could put her in a container - parts of her anyway. But that would be gross.

"Why don't I call Mom and tell her we'll walk home? We could stop at Pierre's," Winnie suggested.

Like I needed to get amped up on coffee.

"Yes!" Beatrice beamed. "Perfect. Because I just learned that the new guy is going to Pierre's. He's way hot."

Where had she come from? Normally, I could sense people from a block away. Not so much today. I needed to get it together.

"Who?" I asked as Winnie's fingers danced across the keyboard of her phone. Texting her mom, I a.s.sumed.

"Over there near the stairs." Beatrice's eyes darted toward a group of guys. "Dark green shirt, blond hair."

My gaze followed hers. Oh. Him. "Uh..."

"What?" Beatrice looked irate. "Are you going to tell me he's not human?"

I scrunched up my face. "Let's just say I hope you like guys who howl at the moon."

"No, I don't," she hissed. Then she backpedaled. "I mean, you're okay. But I don't want to date one. Hey, I've seen what your room looks like in the mornings."

Winnie raised a brow at her sister.

"Oh, c'mon. Could you really date a guy who gets that hairy? I bet they shed too, which means I could never wear black. Either that or I'd go broke buying lint removers." Beatrice gave me an apologetic look. "Sorry."

I didn't think I could feel any uglier, but Beatrice managed to take me to depths I never thought possible. No normal guy would ever want me. Not when he discovered the real me.

Beatrice groaned. "Cydney, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."

I knew she didn't. Even so, it still hurt. "What can I say?" I forced my mouth into a smile. "It's the truth."

"Mom just texted me back. She was almost here, but she'll go ahead and take Gavin home. She says to call her when we're ready for a ride from Pierre's." Winnie studied me a moment. "C'mon. It'll take your mind off things."

Maybe if I did this for them, they wouldn't hara.s.s me about the ball. Thin hope. But it was hope nonetheless. The cafe would be a nice distraction, better than spending the afternoon in my bas.e.m.e.nt doing homework. "Sure," I answered.

Four blocks later, the three of us stood outside of Pierre's. The building and everything in it sparkled like new, unlike the worn and mismatched furniture I used to sit on when my mom brought me there for hot chocolate. The iron chairs weren't as inviting, but the place looked spotless.

"Did they always have these tables outside?" I asked. "I don't remember this many TVs."

"The new owners just finished remodeling it," Beatrice chirped. "It's nice, isn't it?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

"They have live music Friday nights. Girls' night is Tuesday. We get one free coffee." Winnie dragged me into the dimly lit cafe.

My wolf eyes quickly acclimated to the lack of light, but Beatrice and Winnie stumbled and clung to me for balance before their eyes adjusted.

I inhaled, taking in the scent of coffee and spices - among other things. No wonder the place was kept so dark. A lot of the occupants were supernaturals who could see perfectly, regardless of light. About half of them were humans. Some of those humans could've been witches, but I couldn't tell them apart.

Beatrice ordered our drinks at the counter, while Winnie and I wove between the tables to claim the only vacant one.

"Well? Any vampires?" she asked once we'd settled in our seats.

"What's this obsession with vamps, Winnie?"

"I don't know." She averted her eyes and tapped a fingernail on the wood surface of the table.

I narrowed my eyes. "Winnie?"

"The prince is a vampire and he's so hot." She blew out a breath. "I'm a girl and this is what normal girls do - obsess on s.e.xy vampires. Well, any hot guy, actually."

"The prince is a vampire?" I tilted my head. "But the king is a warlock."

"Yeah, his son was born human. A sick human."

"Sick? What was wrong with him?" I asked.

"Not sure. Problem with his heart or something. The king's advisor is a vampire and he practically raised the prince himself, so we can guess who turned him."

"You guys get the dish on everyone." Cringing at the idea of more blood suckers being created, I took the offered cup from Beatrice. "Thanks."

"Unlike you, we leave the house now and then." Winnie snorted.

Beatrice sat, holding her mug in both hands. "Point out the humans, Cyd."

"The blond girl." I flicked a thumb to my side, then scanned the place again. "That big guy over there and the group in the corner."

Beatrice blew out a breath. "And the rest?"

I jerked a thumb toward the other side of the room. "Werewolves over there. Hey, what made you decide against ever dating one? Besides the hair thing, did something happen?"

"No." But she looked everywhere, except at me. "Okay, it's not just the fur. I haven't met many werewolves aside from you, but the ones I knew about had bad tempers."

Winnie's mouth dropped open. "Bea!"

I appreciated Winnie coming to my defense, but Beatrice spoke the truth. Werewolf hormones could get volatile. Not like I could jump all over her for voicing her thoughts, especially since I'd asked.

"You're not that way, Cyd. But it seems like the other werewolves are p.i.s.sy all the time." Beatrice gave me an apologetic look.

I spied that hot werewolf boy from school coming through the front door of the cafe. He seemed okay as far as I could tell. Not that I'd spoken to him personally, since I'd avoided making any new friends all day. I'd listened in on conversations though. I'd already pegged Wolf Boy as pretty decent.

"Yeah, but some of them are cool. And they mature faster than humans, so they have nice muscles." I grinned.

Beatrice giggled. "True."

"You'll never know unless you give him a chance," Winnie said.

"Wolf Boy spotted you, Bea," I said. If he was interested in her, which seemed likely by the way he was gawking, I didn't want her to miss an opportunity. Maybe she'd hook up with him and want to skip the ball. That thought fueled my hope. "Bathroom, Winnie? I, uh... need to fix my lipstick. Bea, you stay here and save our table."

"What?" Beatrice's eyes widened. "You don't wear lipstick," she mumbled.

I spun and high-tailed it toward the cafe restrooms. "Five bucks says he approaches her in less than sixty seconds," I threw over my shoulder to Winnie.

Wolf Boy was already sitting across from Beatrice, holding her undivided attention. I paused with my hand on the bathroom door as Beatrice's face lit up. Her smile reminded me how I'd felt with Jack three summers ago.

I knew I'd loved him. I also knew I'd probably never feel that same way about anyone else ever again.