KayElle

Lady Seraphina Evernight never imagined her wedding day would feel like a death sentence. Forced to marry the ruthless Duke Adrian Valemont, the very man suspected of destroying her family, she vows to uncover the truth and make him pay. But the deeper she digs into Adrian’s past, the more she realizes that her father’s downfall was no simple betrayal—secrets buried in blood and deceit may shatter everything she thought she knew.

Yet Adrian is not the monster she expected. Behind his cold eyes lies a man battling demons of his own, and the more she seeks revenge, the more she finds herself tangled in a web of court intrigue, deadly whispers, and a desire she never anticipated.

In a marriage built on vengeance, can love ever take root? Or will their vows be written in thorns and ruin?

VOW OF THORNS

Chapter 11: A Cage of Silk and Shadows

The oppressive weight of Valemont Manor's secrets pressed down on Seraphina, the silence in the grand halls a suffocating blanket. The revelation of Evelyne Valemont's murder and the chilling warning that she might share the same fate echoed in her thoughts, fueling a growing sense of unease.

She had sought refuge in the library, hoping to find answers within the dusty tomes and forgotten records. But the discovery of the hidden portrait, the woman with the haunting resemblance to herself, and Lady Eleanor's cryptic warning had only deepened the mystery.

Seraphina retreated to her chambers, the opulent furnishings and luxurious décor a stark contrast to the turmoil within her. The weight of the secrets she carried, the unanswered questions about Adrian and his past, and the growing fear for her own safety were a heavy burden.

That evening, as shadows stretched across the manor and an eerie quiet settled over the halls, a soft knock echoed through her room. Seraphina's heart pounded as she called out, "Enter."

Lady Eleanor, the housekeeper, glided into the room, her expression carefully composed. "My lady," she said, her voice a hushed whisper, "you have a visitor."

Seraphina's brow furrowed. "At this hour?"

Eleanor hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the door. "It is Duke Laurent."

Seraphina's pulse quickened. Laurent. The man Adrian had warned her about, the man whose name seemed to be intertwined with the secrets of this house. What could he possibly want from her?

Despite the late hour and the unsettling feeling in her gut, Seraphina could not ignore this opportunity. She had to know more, had to understand the web she was caught in.

Laurent was waiting in the dimly lit drawing-room, his silhouette a stark contrast against the moonlit windows. As Seraphina entered, he turned, his gaze filled with a strange urgency.

"My lady," he greeted with a short bow. "Forgive the late hour, but there are things you must know."

Seraphina's heart pounded. "Then speak quickly," she urged, her voice laced with a hint of impatience.

Laurent's eyes flickered toward the door before he spoke, his voice low and hushed. "Evelyne Valemont did not simply die," he revealed, his words sending a shiver down Seraphina's spine. "Nor was she the only one."

Seraphina's breath hitched, her mind reeling.

Laurent's jaw tightened. "There have been others," he explained, his voice heavy with a hidden burden. "Women—wives—who vanished under strange circumstances. And they all shared one thing in common."

Seraphina's mind raced, connecting the dots between his words and Adrian's earlier revelation.

"They all married into the Valemont family," she stated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Laurent nodded grimly. "Indeed," he confirmed. "But whatever curse haunts the Valemont name, you are now part of it."

A wave of fear washed over Seraphina, but she pushed it back, refusing to let it consume her. She had been drawn into this web of secrets and danger, and she would not become another victim.

"I will not be silenced," she declared, her voice filled with a fierce determination. "I will find out the truth, no matter the cost."

Laurent's lips curved into a small, enigmatic smile. "I believe you will," he said, his voice laced with a hint of admiration. "But be careful, Seraphina. The truth is a dangerous thing. And those who seek it often pay a heavy price."

The candlelight flickered, casting long, dancing shadows across the room. Seraphina's pulse quickened as Laurent's warning echoed in her ears. She was trapped in a web of secrets, a dangerous game where the stakes were higher than she had ever imagined. But she would not back down. She would fight for the truth, for her freedom, for her very life.