LOGINMy hand went. The knife fell and hit the roots, and the shaking I had held all night came loose at once, and I slid down the bark a little."Oh, that's not very brave," Dorian said, and he bent and picked up the blade and set it close to my hand."I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean, I never—"He put
CynthiaI could not answer.There was a cold, hard thing in my chest, and my legs were not quite mine. The one thought I had was that I must not shake, must not let my face show him anything."Well?" Dorian said.He had come out of the dark without hurrying. He looked the same as at the ball, elegan
CynthiaMy face was burning.Dorian's hand was still on my hip, the way it had been all through the dance. The ballroom had gone quiet around us, and I could feel them watching."Give me a kiss," he'd said. "And I'll let you go."In front of all of them? That was the one thing I had never done. Ever
CynthiaThe hand at my hip did not move, and I went rigid, and I was certain the whole of the night was about to end.Then he guided me on, and his hand settled at the small of my back instead."You seem nervous," Dorian said. We were still moving. His voice was low enough to be only for me."I'm no
He caught the hem where it had twisted and drew it straight. The knife stayed hidden where it was."You are not used to formal wear," he said."No," I said. "No. I'm not."He made a sound I could not read. Then he took the belt and fitted it around my waist, turning me by the shoulders to face the g
CynthiaSienna's note lay in my hand, creased twice where she had folded it small enough to fit under a door.The engagement party. That's when we go.I was kneeling on the bed with the paper in my hands, the way I used to hold a candle when the chapel was dark."And after?" I'd asked her. In the me







