ra's

pupils contr

him seeming to crackle with the heat of

e dripping with a scorn so profound it was al

done crying over him. But looking at his face-the man I had loved so desperately, the man I ha

a sudden, burning sti

dge of the vanity to keep from collapsing. "I just watched you hold her in the garden, Gideon. I watched you look a

en the House of Foley was begging to attach itself to the House of Carlisle, they didn't c

ugh the very last, pathetic remnants of my naive love. T

ow me whole suddenly stopped. It didn't fade; it froz

d slowly released my grip on the vanity. The

alm. "Our union was a transaction. A mistake. And to correct that mistake, I am invoking

sations ever could. He stalked forward, bracing his hands on the vanity on either side of me, trapping me in his shadow. "Who

perfume on his clothes washe

better than staying here and constantly smelli

indifference snapping back into place, though his voice was tight

rting

the cold armor of my rebirth, a dull ache throbbed in my chest. I hated it. I hated that after dying in a freezing

ought you were completely over him, but the ghost of your foolish

ion. When I spoke, a brittle laugh escaped my lips. "Ridiculous? Gid

dining hall. If you wish to maintain this facade of a peaceful marriage for a little while

f the room. For the first time, I had seized control. I could feel his complex, frustrate

s. Recipes I had painstakingly learned in my past life. Looking at the feast now, a wave of self-mockery washed over me. I had

he soft glow from the dragon crystal ca

ime he arrived, I was nea

icker of relief softening his features. He thou

"Aurora, I know you were upset. Let's not speak of the Rejection R

u misunderstand. I prepared this meal simply because I wished

I will be submitting the petition to the Elder Coun

ed by the thunderous gloom of an impend

tal goblet in his hand creaked under the pre

e. The Dragonless servants lining the walls trembled, s

essure. The display of dominance, meant to terr

ainst the tide of his rage. "Is it because you sti

deon. If you agree to the Rejection Ritual, you'll finally be free. You can openly and exclusively dote on your precious true love. You won't have to s

ger, aimed with precision at

shot to his feet, the screech of his chair agains

bit out from betw