a

d in my ears. It was as if someone yanked out the world from

uld hear. But instead, all I felt was cold r

replied, clasping his hands behind

orr

was having tro

l him that I wasn’t Sveta, that he could marry me and gain nothing. I could already picture his eyes growing dar

elf smiling through the pain and spittin

t a reality. All I had to do was tell him the truth about what h

force the wor

rd, but I didn

want to get out

” I finally said, my voice shakin

before a short laugh escaped

I asked in

ad, Sveta,” he said in a flat tone, with no warmth or emotion attach

callous way that Gavril would have told Sveta had she been standing here in my place. She might not have cared a

softly, my heart goin

ed against the wall. His hand reached out and I waited for him to hi

nt of his cologne overwhelming my s

s eyes, the flecks of gold there that were just as hard as the res

the runway and not a cruel master intent on

lenge him instead of remaining silent. “A meek girl who

and his fingers tightened on my

re mere inches from mine. “That was exa

way each Russian word dripped off his tongue like a teasing caress. There was an air of danger in his

ps starting to part, and I imagined him pushing me against the wall, his rough hands tearing at my clothes as punishment for not being afraid of him. His thumb brushed against

chin and stepped back, straig

bout you, Sveta. But it will do you no good to fight me. I

hough I was fully clothed. The smirk on his lips curled up even further, and I clench

” he finally said. “I d

jumped to my throat. Take my

hy

n that outfit. Vera has gone to the trouble of procuring a team of seamstresses to make adjustments on

e really had thoug

” he finished, voice thick and

on my body. Especially not one that was bought and paid for by the m

Naomi Spencer, who was used to being push

ns. I wasn’t going t

N

disappeared from his e

s now just to spite him. My heart was nearly beating out o

aid

he going to hit me? Shoot me?

lav’s daughter would have the

e didn’t know that. “Yo

do not agree to pick out a fucking dress and play the role of blushing bride, I will give you to my guards. You p

didn’t show it outwardly. “I will

grating, almost bor

to his coat. I watched as he pulled out a shiny,

d now he had no choice but to kill me since I was

d my soul a home wherever he thought was appropriate. I whispered my apologies to Ilsa, knowing she would be confused as t

nife in the air. Instead, he spun it in h

veta. Vera will be a witness, so that my guards will not exact vengeance upon you should

hat had she seen in her lifetime? Was she used to this horrible person and what he did to people? I had the sneakin

ould get my freedom by just killing him. It would be my

f people would likely cheer me on for doing so. He must have ruined a lot of people

thought it would be. My palms were sweaty as I gripped

sh

all I w

be the r

throw the knife on the floor. My heart thundered against my rib cage. With each boom-d

had the wrong woman. But he w

hest, the knife primed and ready