ed the table again. "Enough!

his robe glinting in the candlelight. He paus

"It's my fault for not guiding her better," Adrian continued, bow

ng into my heart. I opened my

ue. This mistake disappoints me deeply." She waved a hand. "No death penalty for

forward, pleading, but two matron

la

my mouth. The second was worse, my vision blurring, e

g from my lips, staining my dress. His fingers twitched, like he might

himpered. "I shouldn't

hers gently. "Don't be afraid. I'v

t me barely conscious.

ures in blood as penance. In the flickering candlelight, I knelt on a mat, my t

ing no one would ever harm me. And today, covering Sylvi

, smearing t

side me, blowing on a bowl of medicine. "You awake?

me back. This wasn't my Adrian anym

ith Sylvia?" I ras

from the feast. Nothing cheers her up. except she

n my chest. "You want me to dance? Lo

Manor's lady. Your duty is to obey your mate." He

wounds tearing open as I struggled. "A