all stretched, thick and h

stillness, a smug certainty in his eyes. He thought he had won, that my desperate p

hant, her lips curved

eyes, a picture of

ful gaze. My heart hammered against my ribs, b

likely to pronounce my gambit a failure

will

head t

ard from the edge of the room, w

known for his quiet power, his formidable intellect, and, most importantly, his unw

r calm and composed, a stark contrast

me, his gaze dir

his voice even, carrying no hint of doubt.

n the room

in "Damian's" eyes, so quick I might have missed it if I hadn't been watch

if she' d swallow

urt nod. "Kincaid. An unexpected choice, but... acceptab

, it w

y in the Hawthorne estate' s rarely used chapel. It was a stark, emo

omising respect and partners

epted us. His face was a mask of sorrowful concern, bu

hat you're doing, this is a grave decision." It wa

linching. "I always know

ly at my use of his real name, a sli

: he was accelerating his retirement and formally naming "Dam

aster than in my first life. Julian wa

ust become far