il

painted the kitchen in

muscle

stled to the lumpy sofa in the living room. The rest of the night wa

oan esca

heekbones. A hand came to his forehead

is eyes

sharp clarity of ice. His gaze met mine, and for a split second, there was

flinch. Then he scooted back, away from me, as if my pr

was a slap

desperate, possessive man from last night was

s jaw tightened. That was his tell. The tightening of that sharp, perfect jawli

voice came out quiet. No menti

emember." The voice was a dry, raspy whisper.

ng in the ai

r, incredulous laugh

aged animal, pacing the small confines of the

s shards of glass, fixed on me. "April,

ice. The same one he'd used when he first brought

ver my head, but we would have separate rooms. We would maintain a respectful

ourtship. It

t night..." The v

looking at me when he said it. They were fixed somewhere over my shoulder, on

he was swallowing not just whiskey, but some bitter truth he would never share. It erased the ra

t? A mistake the Moon Goddess made. A mistake the elders forced on you.

further, a muscle jumping beneath t

ks. No tears. Not in front of him. The chin lifted,

ady. "I understand, Mr. Blackwoo

rpose-a weapon, a way to wound

-annoyance, maybe even hurt-gone in an instant. He hated when I call

ng out his wallet. A sleek, black credit card was

lat. Emotionless. "B

ignited a fire in my chest. A payment. A bribe to fo

e, a symbol of th

now, shaking with anger. "I'll ge

of irritation crossed his face. This wasn't following hi

his wallet. His tone softened, but only

the city today. Tak

sing the door behind him. The click of the latch wasn't loud, bu

e fight drained away, leaving a

t a series of boundaries and tests. No warm

my hands. The smell of stale whiskey and cheap perfume still

dering breat

d not b

me to be independent? Then the most independent

rely on

heartstring tied to a moving target.

o freeze in his own ice castle. No more trying