The ride was quiet. Basil was slumped against the door, painfully sober and refusing to look at anyone in the carriage. To Laurel’s knowledge, he hadn’t wanted to come back to be with Delia to escort her to the estate, but Adolph ordered him to return on principle. Despite their appearances, they were still married. It was a bit sad and embarrassing for them in Laurel’s mind. Basil knew she had been Laura in her past life. To have thrown her out based on his undeniable love for Delia then not being able to even look at her had to be adding to his guilt and regret. She didn’t even feel smug about it, just almost feeling sorry for him as if he were a stranger that had been splattered with dirty street water at the passing of a carriage. Delia was tense and looking out the other window. The commotion with her parents had taken all the usual bite out of her it seemed. Laurel wondered if they had spoken about her past and that was adding to the tension between them. It hadn’t taken lon

Adolph and Laurel followed the attendant towards their rooms. chuckled as Laurel walked into their quarters and began to undress, fanning herself as she unbuttoned her traveling cloak and pouted. “I’m burning up and I’m hungry.”Adolph closed the door behind him as she started fumbling with the buttons on her dress.“All these laces! I can’t wait to go to the temple.”Adolph chuckled, approaching her and stilling her hands before she damaged the dress that she was so fond of. “Let me,” Adolph said, kissing her forehead. She practically purred before turning bright red. Adolph grinned at her, lifting an eyebrow at her as he began to unravel the mess she’d made of the fastening ribbons. She was no longer wearing gowns with corsets due to the baby. In its place, her gowns were cinched to her frame using a network of silk ribbons. He wasn’t surprised how sick of them she was already given how hot she could get, not even wanting to cuddle next to him in the night and soaking the sheets w

Delia closed the door as Gavin exited and turned from it. She may have thrown him off her scent for now, but it wouldn’t last long. Gavin was planning to out her to Adolph and Basil if given a chance. She couldn’t be around when that happened. She couldn’t give Basil a chance to change his mind and banish her either. She should have gotten out much earlier than now, but it wasn’t too late. She went into her bed-chamber, looking for the trunk where she’d put her bag. As she expected it was at the bottom of the least lavish trunk among them. She put it under a bunch of things that didn’t seem to have much importance to her. She was glad that she’d at least had the sense to make sure she brought it with her on this trip. If Gavin knew that Laura was Laurel, it was only a matter of time before everyone knew, including Adolph. What he would ask her didn’t matter. What mattered more than Basil’s plans to divorce her was that Laura might remember enough about the night she was murdered to

*Laurel?* *Where are you?*Laurel looked up as Adolph’s words came to her mind. She followed Delia through the garden away from the lights of the ballroom and into the night. The moon was full above them as they walked. 
“So, what is that you wanted to speak to me about?” Laurel asked. *I’m outside with Delia.*“I…” Delia blew out a pained breath as they walked. “It’s going to sound really insincere, considering everything, but…”They came to an outcropping of rock. She could barely make out the sounds of the party in the distance. The scent of wine and the wind made her shudder. Had it been so long since she was waking up screaming in terror from the memory of being pushed to her death. She looked up at the moon and felt the memory surfacing just a little, but pushed it away.*I’m coming to get you.*“I wanted to say I’m sorry.”“Sorry for–”Alice growled, *Move!*Laurel turned around just as Delia lunged for her and shoved her back. Her feet slipped, but she leaned forward, avoidin

The silence was deafening. Laurel wasn't sure if she could handle hearing anymore. It wasn’t even a part of Morrigan’s plan, but Delia’s jealousy and hastiness? Her death had served no purpose other than satisfying Delia’s ambition? She hadn’t allowed herself to think about who had killed her, but she’d had plenty of ideas about why. They revolved around the kingdom’s stability and Basil’s incompetence. When Eden had her kidnapped, she had wondered if he knew why Laura had died, yet his answer as he lay in her arms had been honest. Morrigan hadn’t even seen her as an obstacle to getting Delia married to Basil. How could anyone be so cruel? She wondered, staring at a loss at Delia. Adolph squeezed her hand.“So why attempt to kill me?” Laurel asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Delia glared at her, “You’re just as much in the way as she was. What else?”Delia growled, turning her head and glaring at Eden, “Stop making me say things!”Eden lifted an eyebrow, “I didn’t. You’re j