Her expression softened, her hands moving to cup mine where they clutched the bouquet. She slowly pried my fingers open, revealing the deep indentations on my palms. “You’re right. He can be difficult. Intimidating. But he isn’t the monster you think he is, Vivian. He has his flaws, but he’s also capable of more than you realize.”
“Why are you defending him?” I asked. “You don’t have to sugarcoat this.”
Eldora sighed, her hands never leaving mine. “I’m not defending him. I’m giving you the truth. And the truth is, The Shadow is many things—a leader, a strategist, a man weighed down by his family’s legacy—but I also care deeply about him.” Her eyes softened even more, and the warmth in them caughtme off guard. “I’ve known him since the moment he was born, Vivian. He’s not the soulless creature he wants the world to believe he is.”
I blinked at her, my breath slowing as her words sank in. “He terrifies me. Every time I’m near him, I feel like I’m one wrong word away from…” I trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
Eldora squeezed my hands. “I know he seems overwhelming, but that fear you feel? That’s part of his armor. He’s spent his whole life building it to keep people out. You aren’t the only one scared of him, Vivian. But he wouldn’t have chosen you if he didn’t see something in you that he needed. You’re stronger than you think.”
Her words settled over me like a weighted blanket, heavy but strangely reassuring. I let out a shuddering breath, the pressure in my chest easing slightly. “I don’t feel strong. I don’t want to have to be strong.”
“That’s okay.” Eldora tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Strength isn’t about feeling brave every second. It’s about showing up, even when you’re terrified.”
I nodded hesitantly. “I just… I don’t know if I can survive this.”
Eldora’s expression turned fierce, her lavender eyes locking onto mine with an intensity I hadn’t seen before. “Youwillsurvive this, Vivian. Because you’re not alone. I know this feels impossible, and I won’t pretend it isn’t hard. Women have been surviving impossible situations for centuries, and you’re no different. You’re going to survive this. And not only that… you’re going to thrive. Mark my words.”
A tear slipped down my cheek, and she gently wiped it away. “You remind me of someone. Someone I cared for deeply. She was strong, like you. Stubborn. Scared. But she found her way, and I believe you will too.”
This woman, whom I had been horribly rude to, was treating me with a kindness I’d seldom encountered in my lifetime. I swallowed hard. “Why are you being so kind to me?”
Eldora smiled faintly, her thumbs brushing over my knuckles. “Because I know what it’s like to feel alone and think the world is against you. But you’re not alone, Vivian. Not as long as I’m here.”
I nodded again, my breath finally evening out. She stood and helped me to my feet. “One step at a time,” she said softly. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
The temperatureoutside was cooler than I expected, the soft breeze carrying a sweet, earthy scent. Two guards flanked me, their expressions unreadable as they motioned for me to follow. I glanced back at Eldora, who gestured toward the waiting SUV. Her face was calm, as if this was any other errand instead of a march toward my doom.
I hesitated. My dress felt like it weighed fifty pounds, its intricate folds seeming to pull me closer to the ground. But the guards were insistent, their hands hovering near my elbows without quite touching me.
The sleek, black vehicle was a symbol of the luxury and power that defined this world I’d been dragged into. The guards opened the door, and I slid in, the leather seat cool against my bare arms. Eldora joined me, smoothing her dress as she settled beside me.
As the door shut with a soft thud, I turned to her. “Where are we going?”
She clasped her hands neatly in her lap, her gaze steady. “The ceremony is on the estate.”
I frowned, my fingers curling against the hem of my dress. “Then why the SUV? The estate isn’t that big, is it?”
Eldora’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “The Shadow’s territory spans several hundred acres. The ceremony is to be held on a cliff. He insisted on that location.”
A cliff. The words barely registered as I turned toward the window, staring out at the landscape that stretched before me. For the first time, I saw the real version of the estate, not the illusion that had obscured it from my sight.
And gods, it was breathtaking.
Vibrant green rolling hills undulated in the distance, meeting dense patches of forest where ancient trees stood tall. Wildflowers dotted the meadows, their colors vivid against the deep emerald of the grass. Sunlight spilled through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the ground, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how serene it all looked.
This was what had enchanted Celeste and the guys. I’d dismissed their awe as exaggerated, convinced nothing in this territory could be beautiful when it was ruled by someone like The Shadow. But seeing it now, I felt the edges of my resolve soften. The beauty was almost disarming.
The guards opened my window slightly, and cool, salty air rushed in. The scent hit me like a memory, sharp and bittersweet. The sea. I hadn’t smelled it in years, not since I was a child. I leaned closer to the open window, inhaling deeply as fragments of the past rushed back.
When I was six, my mom took me to the coast. It was the only vacation we’d ever taken, an indulgence we could barely afford. I still remembered the waves lapping at my toes, the sand warm and squishy under my feet. I could hear my mother’s laughter as she waded into the water, carefree in a way I rarely saw. Those were good days, precious memories, just a year before she left me forever.
I swallowed hard, forcing the lump in my throat back down. “Are we close to the sea?” I asked.
Eldora’s gaze flicked toward me, her expression softening just enough to catch my attention. “Yes. That’s where we’re heading. The cliff overlooks the sea.”
The knot in my chest loosened slightly, replaced with something unfamiliar. Excitement? Anticipation? It was the first spark of anything other than despair since I’d stepped foot on this cursed estate. The idea of being near the sea again, even with what was to come, felt like a tiny gift in the middle of my nightmare.
The SUV continued its steady trek, the gravel path crunching beneath the tires. I lost track of time, too focused on the landscape blurring past the window. The hills became steeper, the forests denser, until the horizon opened up to reveal a shimmer of blue that took my breath away. The sea. Vast and endless, its waves glinting like molten silver under the sun. Even from here, I could hear the roar of water crashing against the cliffs.
