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My heart hammered against my ribs as Prince Nikolai’s intense green eyes pinned me in place, the fierceness in his deep baritone raising goosebumps on my skin.

I gulped reflexively, my eyes darting around to find that most of the wounded infirmary was watching us out of the corners of their eyes. It was so quiet that I could hear the frantic wheeze of my inflated breathing, taking time to wipe the thin sheen of sweat that had broken out on my forehead.

Guilt stabbed at my chest as I watched the man cross his arms over his chest, trying to keep my eyes from straying down the...