Rosamond studied Mattias. Though they had been separated by distance for several years, she and her cousin had always been close. They’d been raised together; their fathers were brothers who maintained absolute control over their families and ruled with iron fists. They understood each other in ways that others never would. Mattias wasn’t invested in the town like Rosamond. He wasn’t driven by anger and resentment like Julian had been. He did not desire to rule or lead or usurp her role. He was cunning, and he was brutal. Like Rosamond, morals played no part in his decision-making. If he had
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