er, Derek anno

one was dismissive. "A distant relativ

selecting a dress that cost more th

ere I was watching the way the

g that, are you?" she asked, gesturin

comfo

e saccharine. "My fiancé, Charles, will be there. His fami

nterest in y

etness gone. "Because he's m

atus, her wealth, h

ng on her arrogance. "Your time is shorter th

ed her hair a

h of bodies, noise,

ly, as planned. "This is

were a stark contrast to their glittering attire. I

was tall, with an arrogant tilt to his chin and eyes that scanned the ro

"Charles, this is Elara. Ela

. "Charmed." His eyes lingered for a mo

uttered to me under his breath

s town, the young woman who waits for you there, the gambling debts you hide from

om smug to pale in an i

you talking abou

hed, looked confused. "

umor. She' s just making things up." He laughed, a forced

woman dripping with jewels, laughed. "

cking, her

r was thick with a stale, sickly s

. And the pills from Dr. Alistair, the ones for your 'nerves,' they are not helping your liver. The pain in your

Her face turned ashen. She

crowd gr

. "That's enough. Yo

y sheen of his aura felt like

way. "I am merely

as not to be like