#Chapter 8: For a Lie

  Maeve POV   Prince Xaden’s hand tightened over mine. The expression he wore on his face as he stared at me was indiscernible and it frightened me to not be able to know what he was thinking. Father had always been susceptible to Sarah’s lies, swayed by her innocent facade—even when we were children, she had him wrapped around her little finger and I would face the brunt of his wrath for the most ridiculous of reasons. I wanted to believe that Prince Xaden was different. From what I’d seen, he was tender, fair, yet ruthless when the situation called for it. He held our baby’s future and mine in his hands. If he chose to take her words at face value… I didn’t know what I’d do. After what seemed like a long, agonizing silence, he spoke. “Lady Sarah,” he finally said, his tone signifying an air of resolution, and I waited with bated breath. “Out of respect for Alpha Burton and his many years of loyal service to the kingdom, I’ll give you one chance to recant that preposterous lit