In the King's Power

Part 2Summer turns to fall. With Leo and Christophe back at school, Alyssa has to figure out ways to fill her time when she's not dealing with James. (Or worse, Endymion.) Every morning, James demands predictions, and nearly every night, he comes to her room for chess and conversation. He also starts having Alyssa accompany him at court functions, which gets people talking—who is this foreign girl, and why does the King spend so much time with her? The uncomfortable intimacy that develops teaches Alyssa just how cruel James can be—and if it weren't for Corbenic's excellent healers, she would have the scars to prove it. It also stokes the attraction that has been simmering away between the two of them.