Mikhail
A dark thought flits across my mind—one that ends with my hands wrapped around her delicate throat and squeezing until the light in her golden hazel eyes is blotted out.
My hands tremble at the thought. My heart races.
Can I?
"Mikhail." Maria's voice breaks through my thoughts, and she's standing in the doorway—still in that tantalizing red dress. She takes a few steps forward, and her gaze locks on mine. "What did Gunsyn want?" she asks quietly. "What did he tell you?"
I sit up in my chair and glare at Maria as if my blood has been replaced with venom. "I told you to go."
Maria swallows hard as a frail courage makes her stand firm. "Did he say anything about my father?"
I stand, moving toward her, my mind screaming at me to stop. "Go."
Maria backs away. "If you talked to m
