Long before Emilia was prepared to face the day, morning sunshine began to filter into her room. She had not slept at all. She saw the same thing each time she closed her eyes: Adrian's expression when his mask eventually broke. His voice was filled with pain. He attempted to deny the spark. Every thing he said was laced with inconsistencies. She said in a quiet voice, "It was a contract." A contract that she had never voluntarily accepted. a contract with guidelines she didn't design. Adrian and she were on the verge of crossing a contract. She rubbed her temples and sat up. She was caught between dread of him and fear of how he made her feel, and her life had turned into an odd mix of obligation and bewilderment.The quiet was broken by a gentle knock. The door opened and a m
