her away from everything she knew. Her wrists still tingled where the Rossi guards had clasped them,

l towers, narrow alleys swallowed in shadow. She tried to memorize every landmark, every turn, b

t one of Alistair's silent escorts-a tall man, statuesque, expressionless. His eyes

haky breath. He

hed. Alistair was already inside, his silhouette

ach to steady her. He locked eyes with her for a moment-a

orches flickered, casting long, wavering shadows. The estate was ancient - stone, turr

flickered to Valentina, then looked away. The oppressive hu

and assured. Valentina forced herself to match his

ies that seemed to move in the torchlight. Portraits of grim ancestors watched her

om beyond was a library: floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a massive desk, a roarin

or her to ent

hind them. The latch

is shoulders, the dark waves of his hair, the striking silve

e said,

f a velvet armchair. Every mus

clasped behind his back. "Yo

ng against the dry h

like a curtain. "I expect obedience," he said

a retort. She wou

here. You will bear my name

er that?" Her voice was

"Then, perhaps

ear passed throu

Perhaps. Or perh

tone. Was he offering

n dark leather, flipped it open. Under the flicker of the firelight she

be tied to this. You will learn its breadth. You'll know our en

was colder now, calculating. "Tomorrow, your train

climbed h

door. Then hesita

Her heart tremb

the warmth from him. He placed one finger beneath her chin

t too much,"

re to give

. Her breat

left. The doo

ng. Alone in th

nched h

romised t

e her

day bre