Agnes & ElijahAgnesThe first thing I noticed was the dull, throbbing ache behind my eyes. It pulsed with every beat of my heart, like a rhythmic reminder of the drugs coursing through my veins.The second thing I noticed was the nausea. My stomach churned violently as if I was stuck at sea, and as
A cold chill swept through me, despite the warmth of the blankets. The thought of that man touching me, marking me like some kind of tool for his twisted revenge, made fresh bile rise up in my throat again.“But it didn’t work,” Elijah continued. “I destroyed his phone. None of those photos will eve
AgnesI woke up to the sensation of something small and warm nuzzled against my belly. Looking down, a small smile touched my lips.Thea.She was fast asleep, her hair a tangled mess around her face and her teddy bear squished between us. She must have crawled into bed at some point when I was recov
“Mommy, can we have waffles?” she asked by way of greeting.I chuckled, but nodded and began to pull out the ingredients. Waffles sounded good, honestly.As I worked, Thea noticed my faraway expression. “What are you thinking about?” she asked, furrowing her brow. “You look like you’re thinking a lo
AgnesThe moment Elijah stepped through the doorway, his sharp gaze scanned the disaster that Thea and I had made in the living room. Fabrics were draped across the furniture, spools of thread had rolled onto the floor, and pieces of paper with Thea’s colorful designs were scattered everywhere.His
Reluctantly, I turned and let him slip it over my arms. And as soon as he did, I felt fire run through my veins. It wasn’t from the soft fabric brushing against my skin, but rather the heat of his fingers through the material. His touch was as light as a feather, and yet it sent a bolt of electricit
AgnesMaria looked like a deer in headlights as she glanced back and forth between me and Gertrude. She clutched her book so tightly to her chest that I thought she might snap the hard cover in half completely.“W-What?” she finally blurted out, an unconvincing little smile touching her lips. She sh
The designers murmured amongst themselves, wondering what the prize could be. Meanwhile, Maria stood at the back of the group, her lips pressed into a thin, slightly worried line. I shot her a meaningful look as if to say “Don’t worry,” then glanced over at where Ava was standing.She was leaning ag
Elijah’s hands gripped my hips, steadying me as I adjusted to his size. “You feel so good,” he rasped out. “Do you know that? How amazing you feel, every time I’m inside you? It’s like a drug.”His words made me begin to move instinctively, rocking against him with slow, deliberate rolls of my hips.
AgnesThe force of my kiss sent us tumbling backward, Elijah’s solid frame catching me as we fell against the bed. My skirts billowed around us, tangling in a swirl of fabric that trapped our legs together.Our mouths locked desperately, lips bruising against each other as I pressed myself closer, m
With trembling fingers—shaking partly from the aphrodisiac still coursing through my veins and partly from nerves—I fumbled with the clasp. It took three tries before the little door swung open.A delicate silver ring tumbled out, landing in my palm. It caught the light from the few remaining candle
Agnes“Because I love you.”The words hung in the air between us, simple and profound all at once. I stared up at Elijah, my mind struggling to process what I’d just heard.He… loves me?My heart seemed to expand in my chest, swelling with an unexpected emotion that I could barely contain. The fog f
When had he promised me anything? I couldn’t remember. Couldn’t think clearly.He turned me to face him, his hands cupping my face, and for a moment—just a moment—I thought I saw Elijah’s face instead of his. Elijah’s dark eyes looking into mine. Elijah’s hands gentle against my skin.Elijah.The na
Elijah & AgnesElijahI watched them go, my vision tunneling until all I could see was Agnes’s hand in Mason’s as they disappeared around the corner. Her champagne dress trailing behind her like liquid gold, heading to the honeymoon suite I’d prepared for us.For our wedding night.Our wedding night
And if Olivia tried to cause trouble tonight, if she had another meltdown or tried to manipulate the situation… Well, I would do what I should have done years ago. I would unmark her, even if it meant risking her life. I didn’t want it to come to that, but I couldn’t let her hold me or Thea or Agnes
Agnes & ElijahAgnesThe cool champagne slid down my throat as Mason tilted the glass against my lips. The alcohol warmed my chest almost immediately, and my nausea ebbed away like a receding tide.“Better?” Mason asked, lowering the glass.I nodded, trying to process what I’d just seen. Olivia in a
“Of course. The flowers, the lighting, even the table settings—it’s all beautiful.” I tilted my head, studying his expression. “Why do you look so pleased with yourself? Did you have something to do with this?”Before he could answer, Thea tugged on my dress, pointing excitedly to a group of childre