Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

“You hated me then, before I even had a chance to win you over. So yes, Adriana, I think we need to discuss that night. Because in my version, I wanted a much different outcome for our story. I wanted to give you my royal mark.” A royal mark was no small thing. Princes rarely gave them to anyone, they were a show of high honor, of rank. They were similar to tattoos but very small and easily hidden. A royal mark allowed the prince to sense the whereabouts of the one he’d marked, but it also allowed the one marked to summon the prince at will. Other rumors suggested it also granted someone immortality after a small ceremony or spell was cast. That part was even more rare, so I wasn’t sure how true it was. How could Axton honestly believe that was how strongly he felt when his recollection was entirely false? “I—” Frustration built in my chest as I inched closer, as if proximity to the prince would spark a memory. “That’s not how that night went. You and I—you and I did go to the garden. You told me everything a young, hopeful romantic could ever want to hear. Made all sorts of declarations and promises. You charmed me so thoroughly we made love right there and everything was incredible. Up until you left me directly after to sleep with the viscountess. The same one who’d been calling me a social climber all evening and attempted to have me tossed from the ball for being common scum. I was mortified. You discarded me like I meant nothing.” I exhaled, my breath hitching slight...