Release Day and Giveaway! THE QUEEN’S CROWN by Jennifer Anne Davis (League of Rulers #1)

“I really don’t feel like dancing right now.” Sabine needed to be alone to think over everything the man from Avoni had just said.

“Neither do I.” He clasped his hands behind his back and headed toward the balcony. He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, the invitation clear.

Being away from the dancing couples sounded like a good idea, so she followed him. No one else was on the balcony. She rested her arms on the railing and looked out over the dark valley below, trying to calm her rattled nerves.

“Interesting outfit,” Axel said as he mirrored her position beside her. His mask was a deep purple, matching his pants and shirt.

“Weren’t you supposed to be an eagle?” she asked.

“I changed my mind.”

“What are you?”

He shrugged. “Nothing.”

She could almost hear the unspoken words: because that’s what I am. She shivered. Nothing about tonight was going the way she thought it would.

“Since I planned this event,” he continued, “I didn’t have time to have an extravagant mask made.”

“I thought Rainer planned this?”

“He told me to arrange a masquerade, so I did.” He turned, looking at her. “Does it matter who planned it?”

She shook her head. Gazing back out at the night, she couldn’t help but wonder why Axel was out here with her instead of inside dancing.

“Sometimes I want to fall into the silence of the night,” he whispered.

Surprised by the admission, Sabine twisted to face him. “Why is that?”

“The silence demands nothing but silence in return.”

Though it might be quiet at night, that was when most dark deeds were done. That was when Sabine planned on breaking into the Avoni’s rooms and snooping around. Night provided cover for things that shouldn’t happen. The daylight exposed them.

The corners of his lips rose. “Of course, there are plenty of other things I enjoy doing in the night.”