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Prologue 1

Sofia

July 2016

I shuddered at the sweep of cold air that rushedAn omen

My husband-to-be stood at the head of the aisle dressed in black from head to toe, opposite my bridal white

Like a funeral

Like my funeral

He was striking, even if I hated hi, saliva wet on his tongue, as he i to him

I kneas expected of randfather had worked into the contract that in blood must stain his sheets My face burned with shame and fury, and each step reminded me that it was the devil I was about tobeneath the most beautiful mask And I knew as I walked toward randfather for his betrayal

Prologue 2

Raphael

July 2016

She stood like a vestal virgin at the doors, her golden gaze arctic as it swept down the aisle to collide with hts well, but when she lay beneath ht, I would own her I would know her pleasure Her pain I would possess every inch of her

She belonged to me already, even if she couldn’t stoht If I’d have to pry her legs apart and hold her down to soak ht out of ht to stand before God andhard-on

I watched her as she co—and on randfather Beautiful, that He deserved only her hate

Her thick chestnut hair with its intricate braids had been arranged on top of her head Even with the lace draping her pale face, I could see her eyes, set and accusing, burning into me, at odds with her soft, full lips and innocent, almost cherublike features