Moments later,

Author

The garden was outside the ballroom. A maze of hedges and stone paths. Cold air. Moonlight that fell in pieces through the leaves. The kind of place where people went to make deals or break vows or end each other quietly.

Aria found the alcove first. She checked sightlines. One entrance. Two exits through the hedge if she needed them. She stood in shadow and waited. Her breath came slow. Controlled. Her wolf was pacing. Restless. It didn't like this place. It didn't like waiting.

It liked him.

She told it to be quiet.

He came five minutes later. He wasn't surprised to see her.

"Lady Nyx,"...