And see the prickly cover.
For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction.
But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.
Credit: (c) Julie Scott
Catherine fled out to the balcony, running as fast as her heeled boots and strangling corset would allow.
The cool night air sent a chill racing across her enflamed skin, but every breath remained a struggle.
She lifted her skirts and slipped down the steps into the rose gardens.
She paused at a wrought-iron gate, gripping one of the decorative finials for support.
Catching her breath, she stumbled on.
She reached for the back of her dress, desperate to loosen the stays.
But she couldnt reach.
She was going to be sick.
She was going to faint.
Catherine cried out and stumbled to a halt, damp hair matted to her neck.
The shadow of a hooded man engulfed her.
As Catherine stared, the silhouette lifted an enormous ax, the curved blade arching across the grass.
Trembling, Catherine spun around.
A dark shape dropped toward her out of the sky.
She screamed and threw her arms up in defense.
The raven cawed, so close she could feel his wing beats as he flew past.
Are you all right?
She gasped and withdrew her arms.
Her heart was thundering as she peered up into the boughs of a white rose tree.
It took a moment to find him in the dark.
Half of her hair had fallen from its chignon and draped over her shoulder.
Her skin was burning hot.
The world was spinning wildlyswirling with lemon tarts and invisible cats and curved axes and .
The joker tensed, his brow creasing.
The world tilted severely and turned black.
