The Story She Became

ed the two maids helping me get ready. She picked up

ds caressing my face. "Remember what they gave you-always. Ri

would do w

d the strings of my corset tigh

could never find me. But the count's estate was on an isla

oin us for supper, so be on your best

s averted. One of them... Petra, I think... placed a sapphire pendant aro

ly dropped to their

e us, m

heir eyes, I regretted the misery I had

oice softer. They stood up, but didn't m

never been more beautiful," I added

ered me more clear

nd turned to leave-though I wasn't ex

oor, each step echoing louder than the last. I winced. The sound was too bold, too loud-I had to tiptoe. I needed to f

ner, something caught my eye

s and Rebekah, se

fr

dentical-two peas in a pod. The same dark curls, the

s. The eyes

e weight of a thousand secrets. The other... sha

ng. I knew which one I was mea

t you staring at it with such keen admira

ay, watching me with an amused e

g," he added, turnin

oll

r faces blank, their posture rigid. One of th

e he

estate. Celestara

er children, he was unaffectionate and distant-

tling on me with unreadable weight. Lisbeth sat bes

urt

the

done, boy," the Count said, patting Ce

iffe

eth. Her sm

rms strong and sure, like a man clinging to a miracle.

st enough to pat my hair with a

urmured, eyes glistening with somet

n

r the weight in his voice.

e was still missing? Why had

broke through the silenc

t's

om wen

l tangled in my hair. I closed my eyes,

ic to me. The warmth vanishe

ughter missing?" he roared, his v

h rose from her seat, her express

lord," she said, smoothing her go

voice cracked. "And you th

ing. His grief, raw and

, and dine-while she's freezing

d me thick with guilt I hadn'

rned sharp, a dag

she was disabled. You all m

eth, then at Cedr

aughter. And your sister. Shame on you

nd stormed out, the do

d look, shaking his head

t, her smile gone, replaced b

coul

t, I was angr

the dress to free my ankl