Chapter 12: More Whispers in the Dark

Seraphina's breath came shallow and quick.

She was no fool. Duke Laurent was not a man to be trusted blindly, but his words struck a chord too deep to ignore.

A curse. A history of vanished wives.

And now, she—Adrian's new Duchess—was entangled in it.

Her fingers curled at her sides. If someone thought to make her the next victim, they would find her a far less obedient target than those before her.

She lifted her chin. "If you know so much, tell me—who is behind it?"

Laurent's sharp gaze did not waver. "That is a question only your husband can answer."

Seraphina clenched her teeth. "Adrian would rather guard his secrets than tell me the truth."

"Then you must be clever, my lady," Laurent said smoothly. "Find his weakness. Make him trust you. The Valemonts do not give away their secrets easily, but I believe you are capable of persuasion."

She stiffened. She hated the implication—that she should seduce her own husband to uncover his past.

But she held her tongue.

Because in truth, Adrian was the key to all of this. And if she had to walk a careful line between loyalty and deception, then so be it.

The door creaked, and both turned sharply.

A shadow loomed in the doorway.

Seraphina's stomach twisted.

Adrian.

His expression was unreadable, but the tension in the air was undeniable.

Laurent stepped back, inclining his head smoothly. "Your Grace," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "It seems I have overstayed my welcome."

Adrian's silver eyes flicked between them, cold and assessing. "You are quite fond of lurking in my home, Laurent."

Laurent smirked. "I do enjoy good company."

Without another word, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

Silence stretched between Seraphina and Adrian.

Then, with slow deliberation, Adrian stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

"Tell me," he said, his voice quiet but edged with steel. "What did he say to you?"

Seraphina met his gaze, refusing to be the first to look away.

"Would you tell me if I asked?"

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "No."

She exhaled a humorless laugh. "Then why should I tell you?"

Adrian took another step closer. She could feel the heat of him now, the tension simmering in the space between them.

"Because, Seraphina," he murmured, "you are playing a dangerous game. And I do not take kindly to my wife conspiring behind my back."

Her heart pounded.

Conspiring? No.

But if Adrian refused to let her in, then she would do what she must.

Even if it meant betraying him before he betrayed her first.