Thalia ignored her friend’s father. He did not matter.
The one who mattered, whose attention Thalia focused on, was the man standing beside Rosaline… the Duke of Amberhall.
Thalia had met the man several times already, so she had known what to expect. He was taller than anyone she knew—not broad and thick of body, but with an iron-strong frame, the stance of a man who might expect mountains to move out of his way. Dark hair that was thick and wild, sharp features that cut like knives, and deep eyes of gray that were as hollow as they were emotionless.
He fixed those eyes on Thalia and for the first time she questioned if this was such a smart idea.
The Duke said nothing, but that was not a surprise. Thalia knew him to be a cold, passionless being, reserved in his emotions, precise in his actions, and never one to let someone know whathis was thinking. He controlled people in this way, using them like pawns on a chessboard because in his world, everyone was beneath him, and everyone was there to be used.
Rosaline especially… but no more.
“You don’t have to do this, Rosaline!” Thalia started down the aisle, ignoring the shocked gasps of judgement that came from the crowd. “Come with me! Come with me and we can –”
“She certainly will not!” Rosaline’s father walked onto the aisle. “Rosaline, do not move! And you!” He pointed a finger at Thalia. “Your brother will hear of this!”
“Please, Rosaline…” Thalia was halfway down the aisle, and she held out a hand for her friend to take. “You do not have to do this. Know that you do not.”
“Rosaline…” her father growled.
Hope reached Rosaline’s eyes as she looked from her father to Thalia.
Rosaline was a romantic soul who loved too hard. She was the type who deserved to be with someone who cared for her, who loved her as she loved them, and who would do anything to see her live a life of happiness like few in this world could ever dream. A fantasy for some but, when Rosaline already had a love like that in her life, it was a dream worth fighting for.
Thalia never had that luxury. What she did have was experience when it came to witnessing marriages born from propriety and expectation. Marriages in which there was no love to be found. Marriages in which the husband was a cold, dispassionate soul who was underserving of the wife he called his own.
She would not let her friend become one of them.
“Rosaline…” Another step forward. “Do not look back.”
Throughout it all, the Duke remained composed. In fact, he almost appeared bored. He looked from Rosaline to Thalia, disinterest written clear across his face. Despite the encouraging front she tried to present to her friend, Thalia’s brows drew together in a frown. Did the Duke evencarethat someone was attempting to sabotage his wedding? Could he feel surprise, or even anger?
Could he feel anything?
Rosaline turned to him, a silent question on her lips that she seemed unable to ask.
The Duke looked at her plainly. “I will not stop you,” he said, his tone emotionless and distant.
“What?” Rosaline’s father gasped. “You cannot… we had a contract!”
The Duke said nothing, appearing not in the least concerned about the threat. He turned away, a shake of the head, boredom radiating from him as if this was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
“Thalia!” Rosaline raced down the aisle, ignoring her father’s shouts.
“Come on!” Thalia took her friend’s hands. “Let us –”
“Wait,” the Duke spoke suddenly. He did not shout. He did not raise his voice. But his words were like a hammer banging into the side of a gong.
Thalia froze as a spike of fear shot through her spine.
“You may go…” The Duke was facing the two of them, but his gaze was fixed on Thalia. “… but there will be consequences for this. Know that there will be.”
Thalia stared wide-eyed at the Duke.
She felt his threat in her soul, wrapping it and squeezing so that she could hardly breathe from the pressure. He did not look angry. He did not appear upset. But he was as serious as a knife in the dark, and that was enough to terrify.
“Thalia…” Rosaline shook her back into the room. “Please.”
Thalia forced herself to look away and then, still holding her friend’s hand, she pulled her down the aisle and free of the church.
