Raine's POV

I stared at Talia in the mirror while two attendants painted white swirls and flowers on my upper body, to camouflage my scars for my Mating Ceremony to Alaric. She had suggested it. She knew how heartbroken I had been after Cage told me the damage inflicted by the whip had been too severe to heal all of the way, even with Armand's blood.

The scars were a painful reminder for Alaric as well. He had apologized to me again and again, still struggling with his guilt. And each time I tried to make him see that he was not at fault; we had made the decision together....