PTE

APH

have another? My eyes went to Celestia as she straightened her clothes. The man was quickly zipping up his trousers.

s burned as sh

with the banquet," she said.

pluttered. "You m

, Damien. What else do yo

a maid, that I was someone worthy of being called his mate. The words sat on my tongue. Then I saw Celestia's face. Her look promise

s through his perfect curls. He kicked one of the potted plants. Dirt spi

rare. And not only do I get this rare thing, but the other one who is supposed to be my mate is a

t. His face softened the moment he looked at her. H

darling," he said. "

g skin, and a perfect face. My meals were mostly scraps, so there was little flesh on my bones. Whatever shape I still had was hidden

a stupid half-starved dog. The words cut straight through me and left a bur

till trying to accept that Celestia and I shared the same mate, and that he was jus

ed to her at once, held her sh

he matter?

ears slipped from the

t... I just rea

lk to me,

tes, it means I will have

calm her. He murmured to her and stroked her hair as if I were not standing a f

r name, maid

lf before I understood

ina," I s

self up to his full height, and said, "I, Damien Bl

had been holding back spill

reatening st

an or cannot do?" he growled. "Say that again

word out. My throat locked. He stepped back and

t of here," he said. "T

compose myself." She sniffed and dabb

ay. The moment he turned his back, Celestia dropped the act. Her face twisted wi

oice shaking. "You hav

are hurting

s dug deeper

ur shift, or I swear I will make your l

t g

he garden path seemed longer than it had ever been. I stumbled and fell more than once. Gravel bit into m

empty threats. I knew my life was about to get worse. I cried until there were no tears left, then I just lay there and s

get me out of the way. I had little appetite, so I took a hot cup of tea. The cook almost shoved it at me and waved me out. Back in my house I managed a fe

felt real. A sharp pain stabbed through my head and grew until I thought my skull would

er voice saying in a rush, "Seraphina, we have b

ear. She was my only anchor in this cruel world. She was the one who had ke

with me!"

in danger. Leave the Eldo

e fell