XI
I had to escape Adrien Markov’s estate. There were so many questions that remained unanswered in both Valford as well as Anastas, but I would never find them under Adrien’s careful supervision.
Sleep had evaded me that night; I’d kept the fire stoked and thumbed through my book of fairy tales. Each story of fearsome dragons, valiant knights, and powerful magic was read to me in Victoria’s gentle voice. They eased my aching chest and brought substance to the holes filling my heart. The sun was already risen when there was a knock on my door.
“Josselyn, may I come in?” Adrien’s satin voice carried easily through the door.
Images of the previous evening played through my head in perfect clarity. The trail of clothing strewn across the floor. Isabelle’s naked back toward me, her hips mo
