Natalia's eyes glinted. "We have the dogs. They haven't eaten since yesterday. They're starving. And they hate strangers. Let them loose. Let them chase these two until they're forced to jump off the cliff. Better to fling themselves into the sea than be torn apart."
Beatrice went pale, her voice cracking. "You're insane."
Natalia crouched low so she was eye-level with Beatrice. "No, darling. I'm bored."
Sofia's stomach knotted but her eyes stayed locked on Simon. "If you do this," she said, her voice low, steel under velvet, "Adam will destroy you. And my father—he'll burn your empire to the ground."
Simon chuckled, deep and dark. "Raymond already had his chance. He chose his empire. He didn't show." His gaze flicked to Sofia with mocking pity. "You're on your own."
He turned his head slightly, raising his hand. "Release the hounds."
