Bare bones: her grandmother had sold her like a modern-day slave—someone with no rights.No voice.Arranged marriage was out of fashion, something done in centuries past, yet her grandmother hadn’t hesitated.Edwina’s suspicions should’ve pinged when her grandmother had put up a half-hearted fight about the gathering.Usually, she disapproved of Edwina leaving Middlemarch and was vocal about her misgivings and the dangers lurking in cities for unwary shifter women.Edwina had mistakenly thought she had given up arguing.
Edwina gritted her teeth again, fury whipping through her veins.Although Mikhail had clarified the consequences of not marrying him, he’d offered concessions for her music.
She’d have to trust him, even if that was difficult.Right now, she was clinging to her instincts and praying she’d read him correctly.Without warning, fear sliced through her, along with a shiver.Mikhail reached for her hand, and she started at the physical contact.
The minister’s mouth thinned again, his eyes narrow slits.His skin flushed, and his mouth worked as if he were debating with himself.He cleared his throat, his robes swishing, and a faint hint of lavender laundry powder drifted to her.Finally, he angled his body away from them but continued to stare, to measure and come to conclusions.
Seeing this, Edwina smiled, wielding every scrap of charm she possessed while inwardly shrieking her dismay.“Should we begin now?It’s getting late.”
“Dearly beloved,” the minister said, his tone snide.“We gather here in the sight of God…”
Edwina listened, the minister’s words weighty on her soul.Marriage vows.She’d always thought she’d wed one day but hadn’t imagined a clandestine ceremony with strangers as witnesses.If she thought of any man, an image of someone like the Mitchell brothers came to mind.Not them exactly, but a man of their ilk who cared and offered protection yet allowed their mate to stretch and pursue their interests.Those were the qualities she desired in a mate.Strength and consideration.Loyalty.Kindness with an edge of sexy charm.
Instead, she was marrying a shifter from Russia, a stranger, and he was a mystery, apart from his apparent wealth.
Edwina repeated her vows in a clear voice with nary a stumble.Beside her, Mikhail did the same.He pulled a golden band from a pocket and placed it on the bible the minister extended.Mikhail slid the ring on her finger, their gazes meeting, although she had no clue about his thoughts.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.You may kiss your bride.”
The minister’s tone had lost its sarcasm, calmer now as if reassured they’d wanted this marriage.Edwina wondered how Mikhail had convinced the man to conduct the ceremony, then decided she didn’t need the answer.
Mikhail drew her closer, a glint in his blue eyes while she gaped at him wide-eyed, her heart pumping faster than usual.His lips brushed hers, tentatively then with more assertion, and she gasped at the sensations ripping through her unprepared body.
She’d kissed men before—humans and shifters—but had felt nothing.Certainly nothing electric and jarring like this.She gripped his shoulders and tugged him closer.He bit her lower lip, not hard enough to hurt but enough to focus her attention.That tiny throb had her gasping again, and this time, he took advantage, stroking his tongue against hers.Once and fleeting before he withdrew and stepped back.Her hands fell to her sides, and wordlessly, she observed him, her pulse racing, while he murmured to the minister and handed over an envelope.
Mikhail held out his hand.“Come, we must leave.The plane is waiting.”
“But my friends.My possessions.”
Suzie and the boys hadn’t come to her rescue.She bit her lip, the truth striking her almost as soon as the indignant thought had formed.She understood why.Her abduction had likely seemed a joke, and she hadn’t made a huge scene.Men had carried other women from the ballroom during the week, their initial protests much like hers.It was part of the gathering hijinks.
“Contact your friends later and ask them to forward your bags.”
And with that decree, he ushered her outside.
She was married.
Edwina ran her thumb over the golden band weighing down her ring finger.Married to a shifter and stepping from one jail to another.Worse, she hadn’t fought.She told herself it was because she’d needed to save her parents from her grandmother’s machinations.But a tiny part of her admitted Mikhail had persuaded her to proceed with this ridiculous farce.
He was compelling and charismatic and dangerous to her peace of mind.She prayed she hadn’t made the biggest mistake of her life.
Mikhail led her toward the gravel parking area in front of the castle.The two men who’d witnessed their ceremony trailed silently behind.Mikhail ushered her into the rear of a luxurious vehicle.He gestured for her to slide along the seat and joined her inside.With a glance at her, he leaned forward and pressed a button.
“Seat belt,” Mikhail said.
Edwina fumbled for the belt and buckled it with a loud click.Before she had finished, the vehicle fired to life with a muted roar.Seconds later, they glided away from the castle.Edwina swallowed as fears rose to taunt her.She’d generally consider a situation before she acted, or at least she did these days.Saber and London had helped her and Suzie see they were hurting themselves by acting out.
She was a married woman.
The thought echoed through her mind, soft thumps of truth.Ting.Ting.Ting.The beat of reality reminded her of a percussion instrument, which led her to music.
Suzie would lecture her something fierce after their hard work to earn extra money for accommodation and expenses.But she’d gone through with this marriage to help her parents.
Now the repercussions…
Gods, she hadn’t even asked if he expected her to sleep with him.As much as she found him attractive, he was still a stranger.
She turned to find him studying her.Heat rose to her cheeks, accompanied by a tingling unease and a pinch of oh-shit-this-was-a-mistake.Huge blunder.He remained silent and didn’t shift his gaze from her.Instantly, she wanted to squirm, but she forced herself to do nothing more than recross her legs and settle against the seat.She struggled to keep her composure and thought she did well until he spoke.
