andro'

ound the rose, I w

alentina touched the bloody petals, I kn

It was better than fear. Fear was usel

dangerous. And I

The estate stretched beneath me like a chessboard-guards at every post, doors locked with

kings ha

me. Valentina with my cousin Lorenzo snoop

Lorenzo had that effect. Like a pretty p

tovers," I said aloud, thoug

e glass with

e's

ice. But no

Hours

said that morning. "We intercepted a ca

n my desk, playing ba

man's

und it. She's beginni

n si

met mine. "Cou

The bride who vanished. The p

If it's her, I want her fou

elimi

until I know

ered the surveillance room. My cousin let her

I wat

women in this world played at se

et either. But she was no longer i

N

study creaked op

now measured, unyielding. She was

watching me

oat. No pleasantries

black silk and fire. H

tch ev

u see th

Ye

know who

orking

"That's not

in two strides, towering over

. "No. I remember.

he was. Wild and unpredic

ietly. "My world isn'

s already tryi

, voice low. "On

hen she dropped the p

Bound. Bleedi

she said. "

hoto, studied it.

e you going t

Find out who's thre

htened. "I'm

me. You wear my name. In this wo

I'm not a title.

. You're som

Wh

wild

s. "Why do I get the

ause

ss of water. She di

otection, you'll

if I d

he silen

leave but pau

said. "Tell your cousin

a brow.

d cold. "Or I'll remin

was left staring at t

tina w

amed, burned king

ed up t

And send someone to

s playing b

's in love w

nd

e closed door s

t I feel yet. But

e petal still on m

ke her from me... they