I never should have saved her.

Harlow is smart and fierce, and I should have known that she would cross me. Now I'm a prisoner under the castle--and once her father returns I'm as good as dead. I've heard tales of the king's ferocity, and I know he'll burn me alive with just his stare.

But before he can kill me, I make a proposal. If he lets me live, I'll pledge the vampires to fight in this war. The Teeth are dangerous, whatever plans they have are even more dangerous. King Rolfe needs me alive--whether he likes it or not.

He spares my life--but I'm still a prisoner. The only person who can get me out of here is Harlow, so I ask her to pardon me. Whether she likes it or not, she owes me. I saved her from the teeth, so she needs to save me from this cell. If she doesn't...I'll die.

And then I feel it...the affection she tries so hard to hide. There's still something here, a fire between us that just won't die. She should hate me from what I've done to her...but she doesn't. Because she still wants me.

And I deeply, painfully still want her.