Astrid stood in the shadows, her chest heaving, watching her chaos unfold. The fire was her masterpiece, her final act of control. Flames licked at the velvet curtains, sending sparks scattering across the polished marble floors. The smell of burning wood and fabric filled the air, and the heat made her shiver.

"You should have seen this coming. You all should have listened. If I cannot have him, no one will," she whispered to herself.

Her eyes flicked to the distant crowd. Winona Montgomery ...