ed herself to be steady as she slid it onto Alaric's finger. The two rings felt less like sy

bride," Father Mille

ric looked down at Aracely, his gray eyes hol

squeezed her eyes sh

kiss-cold, brief, and utterly devoid of passion.

false smiles. Aracely took his arm, the fabric of his tuxedo stiff and unfamiliar under her f

of smiling strangers, their congratulations

ll side vestry to sign the official marriage license. For a few moments, it was just the two

r ear. His voice was a low, menacing whisper, his warm breath a shocki

Mrs. Roy," he murmured, the

, her knuckles white

on, your every action represents the Roy name." His gaze swept over her, cold

paused, letting the weight of the threat settle on her. "...the Evan

hreat. A hot surge of fu

e met his eyes. They were like chips of granite, cold and unyielding. He meant every word.

turned back to the document and signed her name. The

rtips brushing for a fraction of a sec

out of the vestry, their publ

d. In one smooth, practiced motion, Alaric's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her flush agai

at it was: the first t