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Chapter 3 - DANGEROUS SACRIFICE

Gideon sliced his own palm with his silver dagger without flinching. Rich, golden-tinged Alpha blood pooled in his palm.

"What are you doing, sire?" Marcus gasped. "If you force your blood into her while she is this weak without completing the mate mark, your power could crush her soul!"

"She is my mate, Marcus. She will not die today," Gideon growled.

He leaned over Adelaide, gently pressing his bleeding palm against her cold, pale lips. "Drink, my little bird," he whispered, his harsh tone melting into absolute devotion. "Take my strength. Live for me. Live to fight them."

At first, Adelaide’s body rejected it, a shudder wracking her frame. But then, driven by pure instinct, her lips parted. She began to swallow the royal blood.

Instantly, a surge of raw, golden Alpha magic flared beneath her skin. The dark purple bruises across her delicate shoulder began to fade slightly. Her ragged breathing slowed, steadying into a deep, peaceful rhythm.

Gideon collapsed into the carved wooden chair beside the bed, holding her small, cold hand in his massive, warm grip. He didn't sleep. He didn't move. He sat there through the entire night, watching every rise and fall of her chest.

When dawn broke over the frosted glass windows, Adelaide’s eyes slowly fluttered open. The dark room was warm, filled with the crackle of the hearth and the comforting scent of cedar and pine.

She turned her head painfully and saw the Alpha King. The terrifying ruler of the North was asleep sitting up, his dark head resting near her hip, his large hand still tightly encasing hers.

Memories of the night before crashed back into her mind like a wave of ice water: Kael, the mace, the broken ribs, the horrifying poison vial... and Clara.

Adelaide gasped, pulling her hand away in panic.

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Gideon’s eyes snapped open instantly. He was on his feet in a second, his hands hovering over her, afraid to touch her and cause pain. "Adelaide. You’re awake. Don't move—your ribs—"

"My sister..." Adelaide wept, tears streaming down her pale cheeks as she tried to sit up, screaming in pain as her healing ribs protested. "Gideon... please... Bastion has Clara. He’s going to kill her!"

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