TWO YEARS LATER
MARISSA
The crunch of leaves beneath feet was the only sound in the eerily silent woodland that night. The darkest recesses of my heart appeared to be reflected in the sweeping shadows that the twilight cast over the land. As if I were nothing, Thomas had abandoned me. For Lucy, not just for any other lady. Lucy was a friend, confidante, and alleged ally of mine. I had become the antagonist of Hailey's tale, a daughter compelled to turn on her mate, and a pawn in my father's schemes. But until today, I had never been alone in my entire life. As it was, the calm of the night was broken by muted weeping. At that moment, I stopped moving.
With my heart hammering in my ribs, I turned tunnels to the sound and entered the woods. There she was. At the base of a tree, a young g
