pte

iness Mak

aused before a large mahogany door, took a steadying breath, and pushed it open. The scent of old books, cigar smoke,

moment she stepped inside. His dark eyes narrowed,

arned to listen," he sneered,

sarcastic smirk. "You should be thankful my ears haven't gone deaf fro

nd hurled it toward her. Querencia's reflexes, sharpened by years of surviving this man's temp

ron bellowed, slamming his fist onto the desk. "Next t

ht of his red, furious face. "Careful, Baron. You'll give yourself high blood p

ured toward her with a smirk. "Marina, prepare the carriage and lay out the dress I'll wear for th

ed, bowing slightly before hu

a couldn't help but comment with a sigh,

Querencia replied w

cruelty and the life he'd stolen from her mother, Querencia couldn't muster even an ounce of respect for him. He was a man

rince tonight, Binibini?" Marina

ave a moment of my attention. That man's the reason for my inevitable death in this cur

thing. She'd learned it was wiser to stay

ration at

ate carriage, en route to the grand ball hosted at the royal palace. The cob

air thickened with the

the Baron's in

ron protects like some prized jewel? I heard he's

insufferable. Pr

bly cruel,

nto an amused, mocking smile. Part of her wanted to walk right into their little huddle, correct

scent of wine, perfume, and ambition. Nobles spun on the polished marble floors to the

l de Wolreign stood apart from the crowd, wine glass in hand, watching t

a's lips

oward him, an unfamiliar vo

a portly, middle-aged noble greeted

recognize him, nor did she care to. "The pleasure is mine,

slid to her shoulder in a gesture

ed. She straightened, her gaze sharpening like a blade. "It

rabbed his wrist, twisted it sharply, and h

d, drawing startled gla

look noble, but no amount of gold will hide yo

iped her palm as if to remove his lingering touch

tunned man clutched his h

fool, she

t the brief distraction had cost her - t

that dam

tion, only to overhear the

Grace. As

g a subordinate. His back was to her, but Querencia's heart leapt.

e greeted, offering a dazzling

her hand a little too low - dang

h

igher, internally cursing her nerves. If the Archduke were of a d

and forced hersel

he's

t features, and eyes like a storm about to break. Even standing

on, regaining her composur

aze pinned to her face. It felt like being weighed, mea

word, Castriel de

walked off, leaving her standing there, hand

t the

ed onto the spectacle she'd just made of herself. Th

her fists, her ex

he muttered under her breath, a sharp smile slicing across

laughed - a rich, defiant sound that made

aint smirk tugging at his lips. "Crazy woman," he

s just the opening act. And in her sto

this

Contin