---- Then Lyla's voice chimed in. "You're all right. And have you forgotten? She's an outcast, removed from the Blood Moon Pack's registry. How could someone with that status ever truly become the King's mate?" Hearing this, the murderous aura around Kael thickened. Iheld him back. "You see? They don't take me seriously at all." "And that is why they deserve to die." "No," I shook my head. "That is our opportunity." Kael frowned. We left the banquet hall and returned to the King's royal tent. It was a mobile palace, breathtakingly luxurious. "sit," Kael said, gesturing to a plush chair. "Tell me your plan." Isat down, gathering my thoughts. ---- "The Bloodline Trial is in three days, correct?" "Yes," "T want to end them myself, at that ceremony." "T can do it for you," Kael offered. "You don't need to dirty your own hands." "No," I stood up. "I have to be the one." "Why?" "Because only then will they feel true despair." I walked to the window, looking out at the night sky. "Right now, they think I'm just a passing fancy. That when you're tired of me, I'll be cast aside again." "They are mistaken," Kael's voice held a dangerous edge. "I will never cast you aside." "I know," I said, turning back to him. "But they don't. " I walked back to his side. "Let them keep thinking that. In three days, when I appear on the trial ---- platform in my true role, they will finally understand what a terrible mistake they've made." Kael considered this for a moment. "What do you want to do?" "We proceed with the Bloodline Trial as planned. Under the pretense of discussing alliances, summon everyone who took part in tonight's humiliation to the trial grounds." "And then?" "And then," I promised, "I will show them the meaning of despair." Iclenched my fists, remembering the shame of being stomped into the ground, remembering their mocking faces. "I'm going to make them feel what it's like to be abandoned by the entire world." As I spoke, a flash of pure silver-the light of the moon itself-flared in my eyes. ---- Kael noticed it. "Your bloodline... has it awakened?" I didn't answer. I just looked down at my own hands. In three days, their world would end.