The confirmation of Audrey's virtue was enough to satisfy the Langley family. They left without another question.
Audrey locked herself in her chamber. No matter how hard Cassian knocked, she refused to open the door.
Gifts of apology arrived in a steady stream. She threw every last one of them out.
The old matron's cold, rough hands had torn open her skirts. Lyla's fingers had dug into her throat. 'But none of that mattered,' she thought bitterly. It was the suspicion in Cassian's eyes that truly pierced her heart like a blade.
Four years ago, bandits had torn her clothes during an ambush. Cassian pulled off his bloodstained cloak and wrapped it around her without a word. Rumors swept through the city, but a blood-sealed betrothal decree silenced every mocking tongue. Scorn became env
