KNOX’S POV
“She’s the lady of this house now. It falls to her. That’s simply how it is.” I keep my voice even. “But you’ll attend. As the guest of honour. The whole gala will rise and toast you, and it will be a farewell fit for a Volkov. A proper one. Grand. Everything you’re owed for the years you gave this place.” And I mean it, and I need her to hear that I mean it. “That’s my gift to you, Hale. We say our goodbyes at the feast, in front of everyone, with honour and with witnesses. And then you go to your new life with your head held high. But until then—” and here my voice hardens. “—you stay away from Ember.”
Her chin comes up.
“Away from her.”
“I don’t understand everything that’s happened between the two of you,” I say. “I don’t understand why you took her to Celeste’s room. I
