With a strong beast, Marcus could defeat Felis — killing him once and for all. That's what his father said. Until now, he thought that he could take on Felis, but now… now he wasn't sure. Maybe it was time to pay attention to his father's words. Maybe it was time to marry Princess Morava.

He inhaled sharply and tipped his head up. The thought was appalling; it was like a jagged dagger slicing across his skin. Why couldn't he take to the idea of marriage?

He realized that it was going to be one of the days when he would stay in his bedchamber, inside the Blue Crystal, drowning...