AgnesI woke to a gentle knock on my bedroom door. Blinking away sleep, I glanced at the clock. 7:30 in the morning. The gala wasn’t until later that evening, but my stomach fluttered with anticipation anyway. Today was the day I’d finally wear my creation, against all odds.“Come in,” I called out,
I looked up at him, puzzled. “Why not?”“It’s a surprise,” he said simply. “Trust me on this.”As I turned the locket in my hand, I thought I heard something rattle inside. Curious, I shook it gently, and there it was again—a tiny clinking sound, like something hidden inside.“What did you put in he
AgnesAll eyes turned toward us.I felt my face heat under their collective gaze. Looking around at the other women in attendance, I realized with a start that my gown was by far the most elaborate in the room. The structured bodice with its window to my heart, the crystal beadwork catching every fl
“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
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
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
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
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
“Thank you,” he called back. “We’ll be down shortly.”We heard footsteps retreating, and reluctantly, we began to untangle ourselves from the sheets. After a quick shower—which almost devolved into another round of lovemaking before we remembered the waiting breakfast—we dressed in the casual clothe
AgnesI woke to the gentle warmth of sunlight against my eyelids and the feeling of Elijah’s body curved around mine. For a moment, I inhaled deeply, letting reality filter back into my consciousness.The wedding. The confrontation with Olivia and Mason. The sweet surrender in Elijah’s arms afterwar
Elijah grinned, looking incredibly pleased with himself. He looked almost impish, a flicker of the young boy within shining through. “It wasn’t easy. James helped a lot, and so did Evelyn and Gertrude. Plus, you’ve been rather distracted with your sewing.”Just then, Thea appeared at our side, tuggi
AgnesI placed my hand in Elijah’s, my heart fluttering in my chest as he led me down the steps from the stage. The crowd parted, forming a circle around the dance floor. His arm slipped around my waist, drawing me close.It still amazed me just how perfectly our bodies fit together.And then we wer
The crowd cheered. Warmth washed over me, and for a moment, I almost forgot that Olivia and Mason were watching. But then Elijah’s expression hardened, and he pointed to where they were standing at the back of the room, James and a few other pack members flanking them.“But our celebration was nearl
AgnesBy the time we made it back downstairs, I’d managed to smooth down the remainder of the wrinkles in my skirt and quickly fix my hair. Thea was already chattering to Elijah about the tasty cakes she’d eaten while we were gone, even though he’d told her not to ruin her dinner.But right now, nei
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