Everyone was already gathered, drinking and chatting. The moment I stepped inside the room, everyone went quiet, and all eyes came to me. My breath shuddered. I wanted to turn back and leave, but instead I swallowed and held my head high. Ronan gazed at me, and I shivered under his watch. They moved over me, but there was something different this time, not hunger but relief. Like he was still convincing himself I was standing in front of him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Luna Queen, Josephine Atwood," Gigi announced.

There was a proud smile on her lovely face. One by one, the important delegates introduced themselves to me. I...