e mo

's been since I wa

since I was transformed, reformulated, and no longer the dam

no longer Aria Donovan, the unim

thing els

smartness of my features. My former dull eyes now carry something inc

grounding me. The gown boldly embraces my curves with ivory satin, whil

flows into a train that poo

ding

o be p

mness, anchoring myself to the realism of what I'm about to do. The woman in

and the memory st

f. Then, firm arms, lifting me, carrying me through the flames. A deep voice, on

n's home. He had rescued me

as an inconvenience, and for some reason, that made him act. He refined me, tore off t

om marrying a devil in disguise and getting my re

iviene's w

d to be the day

oor draws me out

le wrinkles from my robe. My pu

I say, my

s, and Damien

nute, he

ay it hugs my body. The contrast of ivory against my black hair, which

inding words he resol

ually, a si

is jaw stiffens. He lets out thro

wanted to say. But Damien do

rdens. "You're going

tare, determ

he crisp white shirt underneath unbuttoned just enough to hint at the rich skin beneath. He looks like power,

s low and calculated. "I don't think

dy," I oppose, walking c

, but I don't miss the

ns, but the steel beneath it stands. "This

n his chee

nt, he spe

h

making a mista

g him. "Then let me make it. Thi

ething incomprehensible

"You saved me before," I mutter, my tone barely above a

s, so soft I

ak eye cont

en us swells, charged with

h

nning a hand th

amn

omething else-something about

ize I'

he phrase strapped wi

t smile cur

, drinking at the sight of myself, a woman who is abou

me. I feel his g

s tone is gent

see his pa

fingers brushing, his w

goes down

ep, deliberate march toward the rui

ng outside. The black limou

ks shut; I breathe softly,

naware of wh

e, silent, tapping hi

m, my voice

o idea what's

lls off, a storm

m at it