A prince at the door. A secret in his throat. A woman he loves and has never deserved. When the Crown Prince arrives at Rookvane Manor, Sebastian must host a man who outranks him in every measure that matters—including, perhaps, in Kathryn's regard. The Prince is charming. Attentive. Curious about her in ways Sebastian cannot afford to misread. And he has the power to change Volmasque Kingdom in ways Sebastian can only dream of. But the Prince is not the worst threat under Sebastian's roof. That honour belongs to the secret Sebastian has carried for five years—the one Kathryn does not remember. His deepest, darkest secret. The one that could cost him everything. This New Year's Eve is the seventh day of Christmas. They are halfway through the bargain. And Sebastian Vale is running out of nights to keep lying.