Velvet chains of winter

dn't care a

es. Elara understood this now as she stood beside Kael in the private elevator of B

necessary,"

d down at h

s, buzzing with controlled activity. Assistants moved quickly, voices low

felt like steppin

point," Kael said qu

ded. "I

didn't t

steps when a sharp voi

Black

d, followed by two more reporters wh

said calmly, "

la

es er

involved in the V

ming a personal

gs intervened in a pr

a fr

s cameras turned toward her, cu

nt of her, blocking every

nt," he s

swiftly, but the

hed his office, Elara

his would happen

was set har

urpris

ought me," sh

use hiding you would onl

hind them, sealing

breath shallow. "I do

of her, lowering himself to he

d quietly. "I won't le

o ruin you," sh

d out before fea

ned. "You're not

spond, Rowan burst

e said grimly. "Blogs first

ession tight. "Compe

ibel?" K

"She gave an anon

stomach

did sh

able. That Mr. Blackwood manipulated a vulnerab

ashed into

went

lie," Elar

w," Ka

se doesn't," Eli

sharply. "Sh

dded. "W

es trembling. "T

immediat

I ha

. "This was inevitable. Marib

on chimed on

ced at

expressio

eaving,"

" Elara

d. "Before this t

then, Elara could feel eyes on her-imagined or re

s barely closed before

ugh the speaker. "Press, rivals, an

e call and tu

this," he said. "B

hard. "So what

hesit

since she'd met him, unce

know," he

d her more tha

he balcony, city lights glittering

own

light. It won'

gers tr

Kael watch

had seen

d never uns

.