My face and soul are a double-sided blade. A curse. Those who think I’m ugly don’t know I’m beautiful. And those who know I’m beautiful can’t see my ugly.
Except for Hayes. He sees both. He sees me.
We have no blood in common, no shared parentage, and we are completely different species, but from the moment I met her, she was my sister. Mine to care for, mine to love, and mine to protect. From all threats.
His smile is charming. He is charming. And apparently, he doesn’t want to punish me for initially declining his offer.
Taken at face value, it makes for a lovely portrait. But I know better. Prince Hayes is a Royal. More important, he’s a means to an end—a mark. And one of my most important rules: never call a mark by name.