wedding; he was planning a coronation. He wanted the entire city to witness the moment the Thorne heir was finall

blocking my view of the gardens. A team of three women-tailors and stylists with cold eyes and quick hands-moved around me like silent ghosts. They didn

her eyes look permanent startled. A yellow tape measure was draped around her neck like a snake. "The Don wants you

c of the dress was stunning, but it made my skin look pale, almost ghostly. The dark circles under my eyes were visible

ounding hollow in the large room. "Does every

't answer. They

seen before. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, with long, ink-black hair and eyes that looked like they were made

" the woma

pins and scurried out of the room, closing the d

ding dress to my chest, feeling exposed. "

e around the bed, her heels clicking rhythmically on the hardwood. "My father is the head of the Moretti family. Unt

ded. "I didn't ask for any of this, Bianca. If you want the dress and t

in front of me and reached out, her long red nails tracing the star-shaped birthmark on my neck

the throne. Kaelen is the most powerful enforcer of his generation. Whoever sits beside him will rule this city when Viktor finally di

the night your house burned. My father helped light those fires. He told me that the Thornes were weak because they let t

rrowing. "If my family was so weak, why are you so afraid of me? You're standing in this room, shaking with rage, because

face contorted in a mask of fury. I braced for the impact, but before her

ed instantly. The air felt heavy, like the moments before a lightning strike. He looked

ce wasn't loud, but it carried

bride-" Bianca started, her voice trembl

head taller than Bianca, and he used every inch of his size to pin her with his gaze. "If you ever come near her again, I won't care who your father

ted longing. She looked at me one last time-a look that promised thi

ut. He turned to me, his eyes searching my fa

low down. "She just told me that her father h

of the wedding dress on my shoulder. His touch was so different from the cold, clinical hands of t

eryone who touched your family is on my list, Ivy. Every single one. But for now

sses, a look of distaste crossing h

the corner that lacked the heavy lace of the others. "But they don't feel

ar it for the ending we're going to write together. When this is over, you won't be a Volkov or

ic together. I leaned my head against his chest, closing my eyes and listening to the steady, powe

gala. It's the last big event before the wedding. My father wants us to dance for the cameras. I want us to listen.

solve hardening. "And if

trike," Ka

t I didn't feel like a mannequin anymore. I looked at the white silk dress and realized it wasn't a wedd