ia'

d. The choice made by my parents was final. I was thrown into a frenzy of preparations before I could regai

he imposing door of St. Augustine's Cathedral that I

nd it was frigid. Every exquisite lace thread in my gown ser

y were flawless and immaculate. I looked around at the well-organized rows of guests. I glanced at the guests sea

ain compare

rious about th

magine marrying

look ahead. Beside me, my father wheeled, his fac

t likely didn't want me any more t

e show

ck S

red black suit emphasized his strong physique. His storm-gray eyes were harsh and far away, but his dark hair w

d, tight but cold. I swallowed the lump in

ion. It seemed like a mean joke. Derick's expression was emotionless as the s

xchange vows. Each remark was measured and free of a

you, Nadia Rivers, to be

t, and he said it as if he was c

ng across the room. With a practiced smile, my mother s

said smoothly. "That'

that I was being pushed into a life that I didn't choose.

rrick in the rear of a sleek black limousine. The stillnes

show that he was just as uneasy about this arrangement as I was.

He abruptly remarked, his voice

sed, and signed,

s me," he clarified. "We both know t

s were. My knuckles were white as I sat ba

ce, the city lights casting fleeting

loser, the sound of tall iron gates creaking open irritated me. With its tall spires

, unsettling shadows from the low illumination. Without saying a word

said flatly, pausing at the base of

d, signing

d of amusement. "On the opposite end. Don't worry, Nadia. I

issal wa

ood motionless. I was left alone in the emptiness until a doo

s hanging over the walls and ancient furniture that seemed to be watching

ed over and over. Every glance, every scathing rema

inding peace. I was startled by a gentle kno

tly from the other side. "There'

t of curiosity before makin

written in an unknown hand, it was plain and unmarked. I lifted it up w

scent of ink and aged parchmen

never st

rled and the walls closed in around me. The not

ets? Whos

start of something far darker