Vows for vengeance

was to

around the worn strap of her purse. The gravel beneath her heels crunched with each cautious step,

reys, threatening rain, as though the h

e barely knew. Not out of love,

esper

en came the call. A calm voice offering a solution that made no sense. Marry Elias Blackt

ntil she saw the photos. L

re sh

eaked open, as if pulled by invisible hands. Her fingers tremb

stone arches, towering windows, and ivy clinging to its bones like secrets long b

ed with a nod, "Mr. Blac

ias was receiving

walk

the walls. A chandelier glittered like frost above her. Everything

n he ap

Blackt

oul-sharp and immaculate. His dark hair was combed back with precision, not a strand out of place. His face was

mile. He si

udying a

," he said. "

ade a difference

N

aze. Elias had the kind of presence that made s

steps. "You agree to the marriage. You agree to live here. No interference.

ed, the word hitting h

arns speed," h

sane," she

aid, "I'm

logy in his voic

her brother's face-the bruises, the plead

Of life. I'm not saying ano

red to the suited man who brought i

me room. Eyes a

d. "Don't hate me, Mira. Pl

he could stop them. She clutched the strap

o it,"

ment. Then, without so much as

ess this evening. Your room is upstairs, third door to the

way, leaving her standing in the

gger than her e

a balcony that opened to a view of a garden too pe

e h

had agreed to this-sold herself to a stranger to save her only fam

e door broke

s, and sharp eyes. "You must be the new M

et," Amira

Blackthorne's household arrangement

nked. "Ex

ile played at Lissa

k one for tomorrow. It's all very tasteful. Expe

out a breath of laughter.

s the first real thing you'

her. "Do you kno

nd I know Mr. Blackthorne isn't as heartless as he acts. But

, so

"Then maybe you're ex

ver the gardens. Somewhere in this mansion, Elias Blackthorne sl

o he truly was or

thing wa

, she wouldn't

w. Not