Wingless;

afe

und. Will he accept me? I knew he loved me dearly, but he loved Mom more. What

nd echoed faintly inside, accompanied by shuffling footsteps. My heart raced as the lock c

who never made me feel like

," I said, wrapping my arms a

rs and sharp eyes, and he carried himself with the same confidence that must have defined his youth. Some people mistook him for my father, an

at independence, every inch of it the produc

r broke his promises. If Mom had already cornered him and he had promised to send me back, h

e with a man who was older than my grandfather. They described it as a bless

y?" Alistair asked, his voice thick

steadiness to soak into my bones. This

look younger than last time. Don't tell me you're see

y lady in my life is the one in my coffee mug." His mock sternness c

way as he leaned in. "Now, Mara. Why are you really here? My gut tells me this isn't a casua

"Fine. I'll tell you everything. But you have to

on't take sides. I accept

hat he was right. This was

ear me out before you ma

a single no

ranged my marriage to a stranger decades older than m

to them that marrying me off to the highest bidder is their best option?" My voice cracked, revealing the emotio

around me again,

er's hand; I always allowed her to choose. And yet she dares to bind her own daughter with ch

Don't I have the right to choose my own life? I just want the opportunity to cre

not want. Not while I am breathing. Do you hear me?" His voice was steel encased in velvet. "I'm gl

looked up at him. "You're not

t is your parents' foolishness. If anything, you were courageous. Besides..." His eyes sof

e than I can express. She had always been gentle, but she frequently sided with

spered. "I don't know w

, tomorrow I'm job hunting. If you decide to

court before that happened." He gave me a playful wink before sta

I taking?" I as

ule of her belongings. That left the kitchen-side guest room and the large one with the balcony, which I had secretly always admired. The thought of that ba

y room," he said kindly. "I'll have the maid fre

quickly. "I prefer

other worry struck. "Ali.

"I know how to handle Carin. She has forgotten that I raised he

in my chest. For the first time in ye

whispered, hugg

hild," he said wi

____

g glass door, which I had bee

ution. Wrapping a shawl around

nd it bit my skin

ling, closed my eyes, an

ent drew m

posture was heavy, and his shoulders were taut, as if he were carrying invis

y of city lights, pretending I hadn't noticed him. However

g, closed my eyes, and allowed th

_____