ella
to warm the chill that ha
or, I saw a picture of serene nobility. A high-necked gown of forest green, my family's si
a perfe
Are you
doorway, a vision in virginal white. Her pale blonde hair was artfully tousl
her touch a repulsive brand against my s
to pray for Prince Hubert's safe return,"
his day for five years,
" I said, my smile as brittle a
with pity as it fell on Elfie. Then, her eyes met mine, and a familiar flicker of disapproval, o
t was followed by a cold wave of clarity. Their
ons and smelling of polished wood. The door close
lt, being an Omega. No one takes you seriously. My only hope is to accom
rface a tether to my resolve. I listened, nodding in all the r
ash of irritation crossed her face bef
as Croft has been asking about you. He seems quite taken. He c
ing her secret tryst with the man m
e Croft pack is so interested in me?" The double me
ering our lands. Through the window, I saw him. A flicker of movement.
n of a second and gave a sin
is
nd utterly devoid of warmth. Relief washed over me, so potent
sked, startled by my expressi
pleasant mask. "Nothing. I was just thinking what a be
denly looking uneasy. For the first time, she seemed to rea
l. We were here. The Moon Shrine, a simple, ancient altar
priceless necklace. Here, she would accuse me. And here, a pack of hired Ro
ng a slow, deep breath
or the ant
d, practically bounced out, her face alight with cruel
s from my skirt before descending wit
still, too still. But I could smell them. The faint, unwa
rs were
rong, and pulled me toward the altar. "Come, si
e, and I felt nothing. It was like wa
rough the canopy of leaves, dappling the gro
ise, Elfie? I thought, a sil
h step was deliberate, heavy with the weight of retribution
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