lls, iron gates, and armed security lined the perimeter like a fortress. It wasn

legant black piece sent to her earlier by his assistant-tailored to perfection, yet it still felt like a costume. She kept her

before I pretend to be your

Keep your voice calm. If my mother

t's

"Don't act like this is harder than it is.

d. "Don't worry. I'

stepped out first, offering a hand she almost refused-almost. But she

deliers. Marble floors gleamed beneath her heels, and oil paint

lo

er name was warm, pleas

of refinement could teach. She wore deep emerald silk and pearls around her nec

kissing her cheek. "Thi

iled, and it

even lovelier t

tur

quickly the mask was returning to

rm with Elora's. "Come, let's sit for dinner. I've b

ut he only adjusted his cufflinks a

crystal chandelier glimmered above the long oak table, and three seats we

quet, but Elora barely touched it. She could fe

abbing her lips with a linen

t the company a few months ago. We cross

ed. "You noticed he

ng to play along. "He wasn't

arning glance, but

Celeste replied. "My husband never smiled at me until

beneath the joke, and Elora

htly. "But forgive me, Elora. Your name-it does

raised by my mother and stepfather.

"She's not here fo

le icy. "But if she's marrying into the Vale nam

der the table. "There's not much t

red on her for a bea

signaled for dessert, and the servers

leared, Celeste set down her

owly, "you never mentioned why

on didn't change.

er eyes. "Only that I've never known

lan. For the first t

ne an explanation

id. "But you do

lan's hand suddenly rested on h

dropped to thei

"You didn't choose her. S

ropped int

Elora up with him. "Thank you

Her voice followed th

now what kind of m

ed as Kaelan grippe

e silence between t

snapped. "W

"My mother is manip

ade you marry me. W

didn't

said sharply

ke steel. "You agreed to play a

stunned by the co

eed of doubt had a

aelan wanted to pretend this

this arrangeme

ne that twisted in her gut like ic

stroy th