hovering over me, the engagement party loomed large and I couldn't get rid of the sense of approachi

turally. Heaven forbid I show up for my own engagement party sporting something I truly like. I moan

wn the hall burst through. My door opened to show my younger brother, Kael, h

hrowing himself into my bed with

"I'm sorry, squirt. Mom wants the party

and would be embarrassing. But that's dull, he g

ed hard. "Kael, it's just something grownup

ook that young children seem to possess. "Are you crying again?"

re stories close to a six-year-old's hearing range. "No, Kael." I forced

a dry voice from the doorway. Fa

. "Ava, keep it down," I hi

or behind her. "Please. He's too busy kissing up to th

y lap. "Ava, it's not quite that s

yeah, family alliances and all that bull, al

those words falling over me like a lead blanket. "In two d

own-up lecture. Looking up at me with those great br

arty preparation still ahead. Ava grinn

t the door, "The last one in

I laughed and sc

of the party organizers. For a little while, liberated from the weight of

idded to a halt. Standing next to the rosebushes, there was a man I

er Vin

eaching for her arm. "Th

looking at Kael, "Holy sh - shiitak

d marched straight up to Lysander

lled, his small face set in i

. Frozen in place, Father is in great

ael's level, his face blank. His voice

She's my sister. She is n

er Lysander's face. "I notice.

wide with amazement

hings." His eyes fixed on mine, and I shivered along my spi

rd-swallowing. "Mr. Vincenzó. We didn

, and please refer to me as Lysand

g on the temperature, made my gut turn over. I

broadly. Though he shared the same dark hair, his approachability surp

omething in his eyes hardened just sligh

ure to meet you, Kylie. Not mind the lovely demeanor

ittle disoriented. "N

arently bored with the adult conversation once more, K

uttered, grabbing at the getaway from

e as I turned to get out,

"I'm sorry about Kael and Ava,"

erstand you." His eyes locked with mine, as though he could see stra

d and left; Dorian trailed behind him

onscious of. Ava remarked, moving

ster?"

Though I was going to add "

d been seriously silent

h his arms. He said, "I don't lik

espects, Lysander Vincenzo was clearly terrify

excitement. I was tired but too hooked to sleep by eveningfall. Seeking som

g with Lysander. He was cold and frightening, obviously accustomed to having his own way

nce if he experienced fleeting humanity. It was still an arran

not sl

in. Rising from the darkness, hands lowered in apo

y heart still pounding. "Wh

me. "Same as you, I would gue

e only sound being the soft rustl

horrible as he seems,"

ith an arched eye

comes across as quite dreadful. N

g me this?" I enqui

sonally what well-planned marriages can accomplish for individuals. Ho

mps. "And you think understandi

t advocating that you adore him. Perhaps, though, try to look be

his position good. But I halted at something in his face

yself saying. "But I am un

s feet. "That is all someone

l causing me anxiety, the engagement celebration loomed large. But n

se. More significantly, though, who wou

ck to my room. The countdown until the engagement party k

omething frightening, something unknown, but if I

everything changed. I only hoped

***

ed almost black in the dim light of my bedroom, clung to my body like a second skin. It revealed

behind me. Trying in vain to make my dress lon

Mom, I look like I'm playing dress-up," immediate

I understand this is difficult. You must realize, though, that this is

y whiny voice. "I am just fifteen years old. Shou

sed this several times. The choice your father has made will bene

response and forced a smile more like

Remember to stand upright. You represent

verwhelmed. In less than an hour, I would be meeting my fut

on my door. "Come in," I said,

ad in and gasped at my appearance.

e a sob, I chuckled. "Yeah

legs and freckles at thirteen, and her sundress contrasted with my more

ad, unsure if

me smile despite the gloom. "You shouldn't h

ly at the door. "Don't let Mom or

What are they going to

More sternly than I intended, I s

"I apologize. I hate this

ed. "I understand. This is our l

usiasm in her eyes. "Just pack a bag and leave

fe of our own making. But soon, reality took over. "And then what?" I

e from her eyes. She whispe

Hey, it will be alright. I'm tough, re

idn't entirely agree with me. Hone

n the door. "Kylie," my father's voice

utfit. "Do I look okay?" Trying

. "Like a princess abou

curate that felt. "Well, let's

way. Each step felt like I was approaching my own disaster. The house suddenly felt

speaking. I briefly thought of running down the hall and out the front door, never

e more and op

. I quickly scanned the faces, recognizing most of them. Salvatore, my father, was standing near the fireplace holdin

in the corner, my fiancé. The wo

me middle-aged man with a potbelly and experiencing balding. But Lysander seemed

His hand dropped on my back and led me forward into the

stantly exhibiting, I forced a grin. "It's nice to meet

not clean up nicely?" He leaned forward, his breath burning right in my ear. "If I'd kn

thing. I stammered, pulling away from

serving the exchange while spotting an unbelievable facial expression

midated. If this was going to define

predator and pushed himself away from the wall where he had been leaning.

voice soft and deep. "It'

, swallowing hard. "Li

e were holding back a smile. "Lysander,

e weather, made my stomach churn. Nevertheless,

like he could see right through me. Then, without warning,

acing. It was true. At fifteen, I was g

diamond ring most likely worth more than most

ng. The room fell silent as everyone bor

ake the box. Our fingers brushed for a moment, and I f

hand impatiently. A moment later, I realized what he wan

ng onto my finger. I had expected them to be cold.

s thumb gliding over my knuckles i

expression, but his face rev

ance said, "Dinner is se

as we headed to the dining room. It felt like a

While the men around me casually discussed business transactions and territory dispu

n my room. As I lay on my bed still wearing the clothes that made

ly knocked on my door. "Come in," I said, h

around the door. Six years old, he remained inn

"Kylie?" he asked. "Are you

said, "I'm fine, buddy," patting the b

s stood out against my elegant gown. "Is it

atter to a six-year-old. "Sort of," I finally

g his arms around me in a tight hug. His voice muffled against my shoulder

son, I hugged him back. "Thanks, Kael," I whispered.

der, whatever the challenge, I would protect Kael and Ava from th

, I could figure out how