ell quiet, broken only by the steady tap of his

l echoed in his ears

one broke. It was o

d turned. A guard opened the door wit

her in warm tones. She sat upright on a chaise,

k with careful precision-she looked like the very

She studied him, as she always did,

set his jacket over a c

book with delicate fingers. "Which m

. "Discipline

is." She shifted slightly, the movemen

o the sideboard, poured himself a measure of brandy

rpened. "What di

," he said flatly. "I

into a thin line. "

ad to

the floor, her gaze never leavi

. "That weakness

r voice was steady. "No.

nt his shoulders stiffened, the mask threatening to crack. He despis

Dante said at last, his

composed despite the tremor in h

flection of his own storm-grey eyes staring back at him. Bella shif

g outside again?" he asked

ith something that wasn't quite a s

scanned the corners of the room, the shad

at the walls?" She sighed, leaning back, eyes clouding with a mix of amusement and resigna

d. "She was the

ss. "You know how misogynistic Vittorio is. You remember how he was with our

flexed, his fist curling tigh

ed, her eyes unflinching on his. "And if

ave to be married, with a son, before I can claim the seat

he marble, the sound sharp in the hush of the room. "But still, you could have chosen differently.

cho. His voice was calm, but it carried the steel o

taunting Rose's hollow stomach. A tray was set down on the table. For two days she

the food might vanish if she slowed. Her throat burned as she gulped down the water, but she didn't care. By the

soap, and a fresh dress. They worked silently, washing away the grime of herim

ed finally, adjusting the collar o

he had no choice but to obey. If she refused, her father might pay for it, or w

stay here forever. One way or another, she would find h

ed with oil paintings of stern-faced men w

e a black shirt and trousers, the top buttons undone, casual in a way that unsettled h

e," he si

ked everything-the number of doors, the way the light pooled in certain corners, the men statio

d stone. She slowed a little, her eyes drawn to the grand counci

tching her hesitation,

ed doors, her curiosity tugging

her. The pause was heavier than any t

won

r throat and trailed after him as he le

e hers. He didn't stop, but she could feel his eyes on her as th

said simply. "You d

ression blank. "Be

opposite wing. He gestured briefly at another

ss that threshold unless you're summoned." His voice drop

lifted her chin. She wouldn't give hi

ere seemed lighter. A suite with a carved door stoo

just slightly, gentler than before. "She doesn

e's prompted to ask who Bella w

ite, across from Bella's. The door was w

Dante sa

ose's heart pick up. She fil

corridors intersected like the spokes of a wheel. He faced

e not yours to roam. You stay in your wing, an

e could stop herself. "You expect me to sit quie

just enough to freeze the smile on her lips. "You seem to f

ut forced herself to keep her chin lifted. "

ared, more shadow than smile. "Accep

she couldn't contain. "You can map out every wall

ession carved from stone. Then, slowly, he leaned cl

mured. "See w

with anger, but she forced herself no

m alone, fists clenched, vowing that one day she would