The ring inched over Rowan's knuckle, yet my silhouette remained conspicuously absent.
No word from me either.
A leaden dread settled in his chest without warning.
Irritation surged through him, and Rowan's fingers twitched back reflexively.
The wedding band hit the floor before he realized what he was doing.
Right—he was mid-ceremony.
He clawed at his collar, the silk tie strangling him.
Formal wear always felt like a straitjacket.
Every ritualized step was another shackle.
Thank god it would soon end.
Meeting Lilith's watery glare, he wrestled down his simmering frustration.
Just as he stooped to retrieve the ring—
A subordinate crashed in, complexion corpse-pale.
"Boss, we're under attack! The Carters are here!"
A thunderous boom shook the distant shoreline.
Rowan's face
