TH

t the gathering below. The room glittered with jewels and silk

rogant smile on his handsome face. His cold gra

a lifetime of his abuse. My body remembered the pain even if this younge

girl," Matron Price hissed behind me. "Yo

e servants moving through the hal

er

s holding a tray of wine glasses. He

protect me. This life, I would not only keep her alive, I wo

get to

te, sharp movement. I stumbled f

y arm to steady me. "Clumsy gir

eak. "Matron Price, I think I've twisted my ankle. I

roblem at the Mating Ceremony wa

nally, she steered me into a small, nearby sitt

led out of the room, a cold smile to

at the door. "Please, could you find my perso

closing the door behind her. "My l

rtha, listen to me. I'm fine. This is part of a p

unwavering intensity in my eyes m

ple earring, one engraved with the Parrish family crest. It

mediately and go to the Parrish manor.

ollapsed just before the ceremony. She keeps calling your name, saying she has somethi

derstand why I would summon Alondra, of all peo

artha trailed off, knowing full wel

save me. Once you've delivered the message, return here through the serv

firm nod, tucking the earring safely away.

y and possessiveness were a gaping wound. She would never miss a chance

t, the sitting room door was

ing a cold fury. His large body b

harp and piercin

voice a low threat. "What

rrived. And I had to get