Vows in the shadow

from the mirror, her bre

e moment had already carved itself into her mind. Som

rn

oom, locked the door, an

apers surrounded him, old and yellowed, smelling of time and mildew. His shirt sleeves were ro

you s

" she said,

ething." It wa

. "There's a mirror r

t time, there was genuine surprise

I get the feeling it

oom has been sealed since your mother vanished.

a message on on

did it

aid... He will betray yo

ed between th

was flat. "Di

N

in front of him. "Y

ere letters, carefully preserved between the pa

aid, "and my father

le. My mother hated the Blackthornes. Sh

ing across his face. "They were in

ned to the

st Al

he blood between our families will always rot whatever it touches

lways -

d. Lysandra was h

he page to a

ling L

amilies. They speak of curses, of binding ceremonies buried b

ver

d up. "Did th

t the chance. The night your mother v

mind. Forbidden love. A secret engageme

d now... history i

eyes were dark, dista

the last letter

d out what hap

folder. "Then we go wher

frowned.

door. "The old chapel. Beneath the west wing.

ng with dread and something else -

ed the truth... she feared

Chapt