ria's

avender on the sheets, my body refused rest. My mind was loud...chaotic. That note r

as quiet, but it wasn't peaceful. It was the kind of quiet that screamed.

d it mean? Was it Scott? Or som

e. Down below, the garden was dimly lit by ancient lanterns moving in the wind. Shadows danced between th

ly crossed my chest. Suddenly, the door creake

done, shirt partly unbuttoned, and hai

e low. "I saw your lig

nto the room, cautious but serious. "Was

o tell him about the note. No

arriage. The way it happene

window, his eyes fixed on me like he wa

e, I didn't want it to happen this way eit

mouth twitched like he wanted

" he finally said. "From wh

to give. I walked over to him, my breath sh

efore meeting my look again. "

ou to be handled. I did it to save my

uin everything." I leaned in, barely

rom cold conflict to a heat that almost burned. He reach

for," he mumbled. "I know exactly w

rtbreaking. Like he was both eager for me and afraid of me at th

He pulled back, guilt in his eyes. "I shouldn't have..." "No," I stopped, fingers brushing his

do. But risk comes with a price. And you've already paid enough." "Sc

n he wa

collapsed back onto the bed. My heart was still raci

omething. Something th

ed ans

ate of food beside my bed: croissants

s and made my way down to the library. If

with old books and papers. A fireplace flickered low in

y journals, boxes of correspondence, u

teps echoed in the hallway. I turn

yes that missed nothing. "You must be Victoria,

s." Her tone made it clear she was testing me. "Do

her eyes. "Only when they're s

head. "Just that every bride who's come to this house has tried to uncover secrets. And none of them stayed long." "Brides? As in... more than one?

k a deep breath. "We need to talk." He closed the book, nodding for me to sit. "Ther

ard, eyes dark

d it to him. His jaw tightened as he

emony." Scott stood, pacing. "Da

nally: "There are people who don't want us together. Peopl

es. New threats. Some...

n your f

h caught. "You have to trust me," he said. "

eeping me in

Meet me on the east tower deck at

...................

art beating. When the clock hit twelve, I slipped from my

towers. I wrapped my shawl tighter. Scot

High-pitched. Terrified. E

ind someone standing at th

I knew those eyes. He stepped forward, a twisted smile

coat. A photo Of me. Taken from outside my old apartment. "I've been wat