The Fourth Deadly Thorn
The Prince was hated by his family and all the Kingdom—a reminder of the death they had endured in war. He was as despised and cursed as ever a child was, even in a royal household that was already full of curses.
So, when the Queen threatened the Girl of Shadows—a curiosity that now occupied his every waking thought—there was no love in his heart to prevent him from doing a despicable thing to protect her.
He went to his mother and kissed her on the cheek.
The Queen fell down dead.
And the wicked Prince did not care.
But the Girl of Shadows, her heart still alive but brittle, made the mistake of offering it to the Prince. His fist around it was not gentle—he seized what he desired with a grip like death.
And the fragile heart shattered.