to soothe her frayed nerves. The assault had left her bones feeling

ed from outside the bathroom. "You on

on bathing alone, a necessary precaution to hid

and closed her eyes in humiliation. They were easier to hide th

rew cool. As she stood to dry hers

aist. The feeling of having been run o

back, where the ache had

dered. It seemed impossible, but she dismisse

oncealer to the visible marks on her neck and wrist

le except for the fading bruise on his temple. She had hidden

he estate, Auguste was in his private tr

sharp lines of his muscles as he spa

body muscle ache seized him. It felt as if he had just com

d. The knight's wooden sword took advant

he phantom ache already there. He nearly lost his footing,

knight and Silas rushed to his s

way. He knew with absolute certainty that h

bruise on his forehead, was so unn

ed to his room. Silas followed, his face etched with worry.

n't want anyone to know about

and froze. On the skin of his inner thighs, faint r

ed. He was sure those mar

thought of the bruise on his forehead. And

t? Was this a lingering curse meant to cripple him? The idea was

not sit idly by while some unknown magic gnaw

s ready. Giuliana chattered excitedly abo

elt light, the earlier exhaustion and pain completely gone,

led slowly out o

hough his thoughts were entirely consumed by the lingeri

contact who promised information on the region's dark

e Grand Opera House, my lord," Silas replied, looking sli

is lower back. "Ready my carriage," he commanded, his to