Orion stared at the girl lying lifeless inside the magic circle—her long white hair spread across the floor, the golden tips shimmering like dying stars.Why was his heart beating this fast?He didn’t love her. He couldn’t.She was nothing more than his destined bride... a sacrifice meant to save him from the tragic death foretold in the prophecy. So why did the thought of losing her feel like his world was being ripped apart?Memories crashed into him.The day his brother dared to torment her for seven long years, Orion had nearly killed him without hesitation. At the time, he convinced, himself it was anger... possession... pride.But was it something far more dangerous?Could this be love?“No...” Orion whispered, his voice trembling with denial.Love was a weakness.And Orion refused to be destroyed by something as fragile, and terrifying,as love.