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“I wasn’t sure if you were coming back,” he said. “I figured you had a lot to occupy you in the human world.”

I smiled back. “Yup. But I have a lot to occupy me here too.”

“So I see.” Dorian traced my cheek and then touched the edge of my crown. “Jeans and emeralds. Quite the fashion statement.”

“Story of my life,” I said. “I don’t think I can give up either world. And I can’t give you up either.”

“Well, of course not,” he scoffed, as though I had just said the most absurd thing in the world. “Who could?”

I silenced any more witty Dorian quips with another kiss. His court sighed happily, as though it were the best thing they’d ever seen. It was certainly one of the best things I’d experienced in a while. My life was split by two worlds, but he kept me whole. Lost in his arms and his kiss, I could see a whole glorious future with him. The secret of Isaac and Ivy burned within me, and I regretted that dishonesty. At the same time, now that I was with him again, I had serious doubts about whether I’d actually be able to keep the truth from him. Dorian was kind of irresistible.

Whatever decisions I made, however, would be because I chose them. I chose to be with him. I chose to be an Arizona shaman. I chose to be Queen of Rowan and Thorn. My future was mine.

And not some prophecy’s.

ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.

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Copyright © 2012 by Richelle Mead

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-4201-2788-1