a Harri

his jaw clenched tight. We paused just outside the heavy mahogany doors of the formal dining room. The scent of

pen the doors, a venomous

concern. "Though I hear the boy spent his wedding night honoring a different kind of... as

his sides. Inside, Aunt Carol murmured something placating, but t

look and nodded toward the polis

ny table was polished like a black mirror, reflecting the cold light of the heavy crystal chand

pale with suppressed rage. Francesca sat to her r

s. He didn't bow. He didn't offer a morning greeting. Instead, he ripped the lid o

t thud, the stark crimson st

anded, a vindictive thrill lacing his tone. "Or did y

instantly. The color drained from her face, leaving her looking old and hollow. She

atriarch's face as she looked from the bloodied silk to me. In her eyes, I had

our eyes briefly met, a dangerous,

lves the moment the plates were cleared, unable to stomach their defeat. Kyle practica

Genevieve raised a h

only the two of us, my assistant Clara

rying a velvet cushion. Resting on it was a heavy ri

g. "You have the spine this family needs. It is time you take your rightful place. These

Clara draw a shar

d cage, a noose waiting to be tightened. To take those keys meant drowning in the

rt of my dress. I bowed my head, kee

a Gallo for only a day. I would not presume to take such a great responsibili

aporated. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating

f this castle?" she asked, her to

ily in the way that is most ap

ightly her knuckles turned white. The suspicion in her eyes was a living,