The roses arrived at dawn.
Blood-red petals scattered across my pillow, their perfume cloying and sweet just like Lucian's smile when he leaned over me, his dark curls brushing my cheek.
"For my favorite little omega," he purred, tucking one behind my ear.
I should have known then.
Roses have thorns.
It was the way he watched me at dinner that night—his golden eyes tracking every bite I took, his fingers drumming restlessly against his goblet.
"Eat up, darling," Lucian murmured, pushing a plate of honeyed figs toward me. "You'll need your strength."
Kael grunted in approval. Riven said nothing, but his icy gaze lingered on Lucian's too-casual posture.
Only Jax seemed uneasy, his scarred nose wrinkling as he sniffed the air. "The hell's that smell?"
Lucian's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Just a new perfume."
I woke gasping, my veins on fire.
The room spun violently, shadows twisting into monstrous shapes. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, too fast, too wrong.
