dn't look r

kyscraper and crosswalk warping like I was seeing it from underwat

It had just shifted into

eaten. I hadn't even cr

e.

der

r my hotel door, neat and quiet l

d painting the concrete beneath him. And unde

ve consequ

there was nothing left

ar sl

lass and steel, carved straight into the sky. No

hook as I

told who was waiti

eady

ouse

ned before I

here

Black

red charcoal gray. No guards. No entourage. Just him

mooth as lacquered silk. "You're e

move. Did

tea was already poured, steam cu

" I a

kind you trust. Th

w him to interfere anymo

d him k

so did you, the moment

racked. "H

is presence swallowing

maybe, in some twisted way, he hoped lo

, but I st

you want

e he was savou

," he sai

lin

ey, I knew there was something exceptional about you. A girl raised in ruins who

uching, but close eno

ll in love, Christabel. I

ath hi

is is love? T

is power. Control. You make me feel

-sharp an

re in

hrug. "But what matters is

older rested beside the tea tray. T

it. Slid i

name? Clean. A new life. All y

ant you to be mine. P

ou could h

for a second-and somethi

cause having you means I've taken back cont

u don't want a wife.

anti

d tea. S

And no one. And I'll find someone else to take your father's place. Ma

mach d

s drink. "Choices, Chri

t. My hands moved befor

ign

en cl

le

lted my chin up. His kis

the family,"

-

window, city lights blinki

r was in a hospital bed. And I had just prom

were no mo

ore

sur

act lay b

watched my reflection

l," I whispered,

y didn'

still warm