“Elaine listen to me, I beg,” Marina cried, her face pale and concerned.

Elaine looked away, stubborn and angry. Her blonde curls looked dull, her rose skin blotched.

Marina held Elaine’s hands, almost lurching away from the coldness.

“Elaine, do not accept his marriage,” Marina whispered, tears forming in her delicate blue eyes. “He’s a cruel man. He’ll be a cruel husband.”

Elaine snatched her hand from her sister’s grasp. “You know nothing of him, sister! Nothing!” Elaine moved to get up, but Marina grabbed her arm, forcing her to continue this agonizing conversation.

“Look at me, Elaine, look at the tears falling down my cheeks, the shakes coursing through my body! I am in pain for you, Elaine, because I do not wish you to find death so soon.”

Elaine stopped, sudden worry creasing her forehead. “What do you mean death?” she asked, a hint of fear in her soft tone.

Marina’s eyes darkened. “Don’t you understand, Elaine? He will give you death, and you will love him for it. That’s the way your heart works; you love everyone despite their flaws, but his, sister, his will bring you to an early grave, and I will not accept that!”

Elaine looked away, the pain in her sister’s eyes too much to bear. Could it be true? Could her lover bring her death?

She’d seen the way his eyes grew cold when she offended him, and she could tell how his body went rigid with rage when any of his workers did not do as he commanded. But her heart, her heart yearned for his love. How could she ignore the feelings of love within her heart?

“I do not know if I can follow my head over my heart, Marina,” Elaine said, sorrow stirring within.

Elaine gripped her sisters hands, ensuring she would be fine, that death would not be so quick to come.

“My dear sister, I am strong at heart, and I will not let him hurt me, I promise,” Elaine assured.

But Marina knew deep down that she was lying.

Elaine had a sensitive heart, one that would be six feet under in less than a year.