She lifted Darling’s head off his chest so that they stared at each other. As it always did from years of his training it, his long hair fell over the left side of his face, hiding his scar from her view.

Even so, couldn’t she recognize the lips that had kissed and pleased her for countless hours?

Zarya, please help me. Please…

I love you so much.

How could she not see it in his eye?

But there was no love in her gaze. No recognition whatsoever. Only hatred and contempt.

She sneered at him. “Bastard royal scum. You’re all lying hypocrites. I hope all of you get what you deserve.” She spat in his face and released his head to fall forward again.

Darling swore his heart shattered. Surely that was the only thing that could explain the utter misery and agony he felt.

The total desolation. He’d been abandoned before in his life by people he loved, but never had it hurt as much as this did.

She can’t stand the sight of the real me… She wasn’t able to see past his birthright anymore than the others.

So much for all her brave assertions that his looks didn’t matter.

Why had he ever expected better from her? Even if everything had gone as planned, she would have never accepted Darling Cruel as the man she loved. He would have sickened her as much as he did his uncle and mother.

No matter how he mapped it, all roads led to her slapping his face and leaving him out in the cold.

He heard Maris’s bitter voice in his head. “Everyone lies. Everyone betrays, Darling. The world is eat up with selfishness and cruelty. You need to learn to accept it like the rest of us have.”

Zarya stepped back. “Clarion, report to my office.”

“What about our prisoner?”

“Take him to a holding cell. You and I need to talk. Now.”

Pip replaced Clarion who’d been holding Darling’s left arm. “You want us to wait for you?”

“Nah. Make sure His Highness”—Clarion sneered those words—“is well appointed. After I talk to Zarya, I’ll inform his uncle of our demands.”

“Will do.” Pip dragged Darling down the hallway Darling had walked a hundred times while joking with him, Clarion, and dozens of others who were here now.

None of them spoke up on his behalf. Not a one tried to help him or tell the others that what they were doing to him, a fellow human being, was wrong and beneath them.

A million regrets and condemnations tore through him. Never had he felt more betrayed by anyone.

Not until Pip chained him to the wall.

Pip raked a repugnant glare over Darling’s naked, exposed body that was covered with bruises, wounds, and scars. Some from his uncle’s hatred, the rest from his efforts to keep the Resistance safe and viable. “I never thought an aristo would look like you.” He pulled Darling’s shoulder away from the wall to examine the tattoo on his back. “You’re even marked. Anyone recognize this?”