arsely populated by a few high-ranking servants and officials, their faces a mixture of

ly the sharp-faced man, Silas, stan

flawless, mocking bow. He then moved

with iridescent greens and blacks, and it had a bright red comb that st

and professional, "this champion will stand in for

ath and poorly suppressed snic

was designed to shatter a bride's spirit,

the proud bird.

explosion. They expected screams, tears, p

estrained laugh, but a full-throated, hysterical roar of amusement that echoed off the stone wal

s's perfect smile faltered. This was

self and walked toward the rooster. She exami

rd. "What a fine coat of feathers. Much more v

llent taste. This substitute is, at the very least, far more c

ded with the force of a physical blow. The last of the snickers died in

ile froze

"I'm just wondering about the wedding night. Is the bridal chamber prepared fo

to comment on the rooster's potential performance, a cold, ras

is e

Damien Hawthorne emerged, maneuvering

nd the rumored disfigurement. The exposed right side was sculpted perfection, a strong ja

radiated an aura of absolute power that

seen him. She studied him, her

piercing shard of ice-

hand. A servant scurried fo

through the motions of a wedding. It was

er, Luna was escorte

arrived as instructed. The room

heavy wedding gown when the door

nts, including Celeste, wi

ied look. Luna gave her

eaving them alone. The a

pt over her. His first

, the first thing you w