na's

marry. That might be true. Especially if that moment feels

ars, even though the estate radiated life. Not in the warm, welcoming sen

way was lined with marble statues of angels that looked more like fallen warriors, wings chipp

t unkindly, "but I think you'll need more than that." I shot him a glare and stepped out. Cold air

lack lined the entrance, their guns slung like accessories. A few of them n

fully process the scale of it, the main doors swung open, and a tall man in a velvet jacket stepped out. His hair

s if I were an employee arriving late to a meeting. "You'll be presented to your fiancé shortly," he continued. "I suggest you clean up." My voice was dry. "You haven't

ond, the frost biting at my ankles. A part of me wanted to scream. A

corner. It smelled of cigars, cologne, and blood. I was shown to a guest room on the second floor. "Guest" being generous-it was bigger than the enti

me to we

r fiancé formally," she said

a stra

be your

kin felt raw afterward, as if I could scrub off everything-fear, d

in waves down my back. The maid applied a touch of crimson lipst

n now, pouring light through stained glass. A fireplace burned low. Men

n he wa

D'A

ck, he looked like a prince from a dark fable-one written in blood instead of ink. His hair was raven-dark, his eyes the color of bur

, I stood taller. For a long moment, he didn't say a word. He ju

" he said in a voice made for threats and t

e of the guards coughed into his fist, clearly trying not to laugh. Nico's eyes narrowed ju

t teeth,"

look like

y mouth. "Say the word," he said, "and I'll do more than bite." My breath caught-

laughed-sharp and defiant. "Then you've picked the wrong bride." His eyes gleam

s throat behind us. "Enough," he said. "We're not h

d gave my father a n

clenched.

t party is in four days. Wedding, two weeks after that." I sta

ce of humor. "You're a blood

at delays anothe

a brow. "S

not y

wil

ked out like a storm that had passed through, leaving everything slightly off-balance. I di

rry. The man who hated my bloodline. The man who looked at m

n't sure which one